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The data DOGE wants access to isn’t the kind that can be protected by individuals.
Lawsuits claiming Musk, Trump, and DOGE are breaking the law have piled up.
Instead, Musk is described instead as a “senior advisor” to President Trump.
So, is DOGE breaking the law, and what do these measures mean for American data privacy?
What has DOGE done?
Put simply, there are serious data privacy concerns surrounding DOGE’s actions.
DOGE is aiming to access sensitive federal agency data to make it carry out its cost-cutting effort.
However, DOGE having access to this data is claimed to be unlawful and violates the Privacy Act 1974.
However, questions are still being asked over the freedom given to seemingly inexperienced DOGE staff.
IDRS data relates to sensitive tax information, including social security numbers, home addresses and income status.
It is unclear whether this has been achieved.
As of February 20, access hadn’t been granted.
TheLabor Department has given DOGE access to vast amounts of its data.
It is unclear, but unlikely, that the individuals whom this data concerns have consented to this usage.
The mishandling of this information could lead to such significant and varied abuses that they are impossible to detail.
However, on February 18, a judge rejected the lawsuit.
She went on to say DOGE needed to be more transparent.
What is being done with this information?
What are the proactive steps that are being taken to keep it safe and secure?"
What can you do?
The problem is that individuals cannot take steps to protect this data.
It is the government’s duty to protect it, and it is information that cannot be withdrawn.
These services contact data brokers who hold records of your data and submit removal requests on your behalf.
It is possible your information could be used in phishing and scam attempts.
Look out for typos, demands for payment, and poorly put together websites.
Never hit anything you’re not 100% sure of.
How far will the government go?
The relationship betweenTrump and data privacyis a complicated one.
The separation of federal and state government also poses questions, becausestates have differing data privacy laws.
Senator Wyden, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren, alsoexpressed concern over DOGE’s access to IRS tax data.
We have seen countless examples ofgovernments imposing on the data privacyof their citizens in recent months.
However, these have rarely involved a Western government.
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