Introduction
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [8] [9], led by Elon Musk [7], has significantly influenced US government operations [9], raising concerns about data privacy, national security [1] [3] [4] [8] [9], and the legal authority of its actions. This has led to widespread apprehension among federal employees, privacy advocates [3] [4] [5] [6], and lawmakers [4].
Description
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has significantly impacted US government operations [9], leading to mass redundancies and the closure of federal offices [9], including the US Agency for International Development (USAID) [9]. DOGE has gained unprecedented access to sensitive federal databases containing personal information on millions of Americans, including medical diagnoses [3] [4] [5] [6], financial records [6], and Social Security numbers [3] [4] [6] [8]. This access has raised serious concerns among federal workers and privacy advocates regarding the potential misuse of this data [3] [4] [5] [6]. Critics [3] [4] [5] [6], including former officials and federal employees, express fears that DOGE’s activities could lead to the creation of detailed profiles on individuals [4], reminiscent of practices in authoritarian regimes [3] [5] [6].
Under Musk’s leadership [9], DOGE’s activities have resulted in a major security breach characterized not by sophisticated cyber attacks but by actions taken under Musk’s official orders [9], raising national security concerns [9]. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) [1] [7] [8] [9], which manages sensitive personal data of millions of federal employees [8], including those with security clearances [9], has been compromised by DOGE investigators, allegedly exposing government employees’ medical records and other personal information. The acting inspector general of OPM, Norbert Vint [1] [7], is currently investigating potential threats to sensitive information due to changes made by DOGE operatives to government networks [7]. This investigation includes scrutiny of security protocols and incorporates requests from Democratic lawmakers [7], as well as a new assessment of risks associated with systems accessed by DOGE [7]. Vint has emphasized the importance of oversight and the integrity of OPM’s information technology security program in light of these risks [1].
Concerns have also been raised about the legal authority of DOGE staff to access sensitive government systems [8], which could expose personal and financial information to hackers and scammers. The OPM Deputy Inspector General has initiated a review of these emerging risks and plans to incorporate the concerns into ongoing assessments of OPM’s IT and financial systems [8]. In February [9], a federal judge blocked DOGE from accessing Treasury Department systems [9], but not before data was copied and software was modified by DOGE personnel [9]. While Musk claims that DOGE’s purpose is to modernize federal technology and improve efficiency [6], asserting that his staff undergoes the same security vetting as other federal employees [4] [6], doubts remain about the adequacy of this vetting process [4] [6]. Some agency heads maintain that DOGE has “read-only” access to data [4] [6], meaning they cannot alter information within the systems [4]. However, the careless behavior of DOGE staff suggests that significant breaches of other critical government systems may have already occurred [9], posing perilous consequences for national security unless experienced federal employees can uphold strict protective protocols [9].
Experts warn that the aggregation of personal data by DOGE could lead to identity theft and the potential for personal data to be sold, lost [3] [4] [6], or leaked [3] [4] [6], jeopardizing Americans’ privacy [4] [6]. Current laws [4], such as the Privacy Act of 1974 [4] [6], impose strict regulations on how government agencies collect and share personal data [4], but there are concerns that DOGE’s operations could undermine these protections [4] [6]. Various federal agencies [4], including the Social Security Administration (SSA) [3] [4] [5] [6], the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) [3] [4] [5] [6], and the IRS [3], have expressed apprehension about DOGE’s access to their data [6]. The IRS has reportedly limited DOGE’s access to anonymized tax data [5], while the SSA is facing legal challenges over DOGE’s access to sensitive information [5]. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for data leaks [5], particularly regarding health data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Veterans Affairs (VA) department [5] [6], with fears that such information could be weaponized against individuals [6].
Additionally, the potential mass firings of probationary federal employees due to DOGE’s restructuring efforts have raised alarms among cybersecurity experts. Rob Joyce [2], former director of cybersecurity at the NSA [2], has warned that such actions could severely undermine the United States’ cybersecurity capabilities by disrupting the recruitment of top technical talent essential for addressing threats from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) [2]. Joyce emphasized the importance of developmental programs that provide specialized training and hands-on experience [2], which are crucial for cultivating the skills needed to combat PRC cyber threats [2].
While some agencies assert that DOGE has limited access [4], the extent of this access remains unclear [4], and numerous lawsuits have been filed to challenge DOGE’s data access and uncover what information has already been collected [4] [5] [6]. The implications of DOGE’s activities on personal privacy and data security continue to be a significant concern among lawmakers and the public [4], particularly as calls for security assessments at multiple agencies [7], including the Treasury Department and the Department of Education [7], grow louder. OPM is also facing a lawsuit related to its new data system [1], further complicating the landscape of oversight and accountability.
Conclusion
The activities of DOGE under Elon Musk’s leadership have sparked significant debate and concern regarding data privacy, national security [1] [3] [4] [8] [9], and the legal boundaries of government operations. As investigations and legal challenges continue, the need for stringent oversight and robust security measures becomes increasingly critical to safeguard sensitive information and maintain public trust. The future implications of DOGE’s actions will likely shape the discourse on government efficiency and privacy rights in the digital age.
References
[1] https://gazette.com/news/wex/doge-under-investigation-by-opm-inspector-general-for-access-to-email-data-system/article_5588cfcf-f287-5379-a60c-3852b58d36ae.html
[2] https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/cybersecurity/ex-nsa-cyber-chief-warns-of-devastating-impact-of-potential-doge-inspired-firings/
[3] https://www.ijpr.org/npr-news/2025-03-11/the-government-already-knows-a-lot-about-you-doge-is-trying-to-access-all-of-it
[4] https://www.npr.org/2025/03/11/nx-s1-5305054/doge-elon-musk-security-data-information-privacy
[5] https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/2025-03-11/the-government-already-knows-a-lot-about-you-doge-is-trying-to-access-all-of-it
[6] https://www.wcbu.org/npr-news/2025-03-11/the-government-already-knows-a-lot-about-you-doge-is-trying-to-access-all-of-it
[7] https://www.wired.com/story/opm-doge-review-underway/
[8] https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2025/03/opm-watchdog-investigate-it-risks-tied-doges-agency-access/403611/
[9] https://www.cybersecurityintelligence.com/blog/doge-is-undermining-usgovernment-cyber-security-8302.html
