Elon Musk’s DOGE Agency Sparks Privacy Concerns Over Federal Data Access

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, has reportedly gained unprecedented access to sensitive federal data through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial initiative backed by former President Donald Trump. The move has raised alarms among privacy advocates and government watchdogs, who fear the potential misuse of personal information belonging to millions of Americans.

According to reports, DOGE, operating under Trump’s administration, has been granted access to the Treasury Department‘s payment systems, which handle trillions of dollars in government expenditures annually. This includes sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, health records, and financial information. Colbert King, a columnist for The Washington Post, described the situation as “unprecedented,” noting that Musk and his team now have access to “vast amounts of privileged and restricted government information.”

Max Richtman, head of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, expressed grave concerns in a statement: “Social Security beneficiaries and their families have every reason to be alarmed. Musk, an unelected billionaire with no official government role, now has access to the personal information of every Social Security beneficiary.”

The controversy stems from the Trump administration’s decision to grant DOGE, a largely unregulated entity, sweeping authority over federal systems. Critics argue that this move bypasses traditional oversight mechanisms and raises significant privacy and security risks. A legal challenge filed against U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlights the scale of the issue, stating that “millions of people cannot avoid having their sensitive personal and financial information maintained in government records.”

Stephan Melsted, a Fargo resident, voiced his concerns in a public letter to North Dakota lawmakers: “Why does Elon Musk have your and my Social Security numbers and access to our country’s most sensitive defense and intelligence information? I don’t feel secure.”

While Musk’s involvement in DOGE remains shrouded in mystery, the lack of transparency and accountability has fueled widespread unease. As the debate over privacy and government oversight intensifies, many are calling for immediate action to address what they describe as a clear and present danger to democracy and individual rights.