Judge Blocks DOGE from Accessing Social Security Data Over Privacy Concerns

K Wilder
Mar 22, 2025
1 min read

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Social Security Administration (SSA) systems containing personal data of millions of Americans. AP News+4WSJ+4PBS: Public Broadcasting Service+4

The ruling came in response to concerns that DOGE's broad access to sensitive SSA data could violate privacy laws. Judge Ellen Hollander characterized DOGE's actions as a "fishing expedition" and mandated that DOGE delete any non-anonymized personal information obtained from SSA systems. Politico+1Reuters+1 WSJ+3The Guardian+3FedScoop+3

The lawsuit challenging DOGE's access was filed by organizations including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Alliance for Retired Americans, and the American Federation of Teachers. They argued that DOGE's unprecedented access to SSA data posed significant privacy risks. The Guardian The Guardian+3Reuters+3Reuters+3

Elon Musk, appointed by President Donald Trump to lead DOGE, has faced multiple legal challenges related to his efforts to streamline federal agencies. In response to the ruling, Musk criticized the judiciary and called for congressional action against the judges involved. WSJ+1The Guardian+1 The Guardian

The SSA holds extensive personal data on millions of Americans, making the protection of this information crucial. Judge Hollander's decision underscores the importance of safeguarding citizens' privacy against unauthorized access.PBS: Public Broadcasting Service The Guardian+1Reuters+1

This development has caused unrest among retirees, leading to protests against the potential closure of local SSA offices. The situation highlights the significant personal data held by the SSA and the need for stringent privacy protections. Reuters

As the case progresses, it raises critical questions about the balance between government efficiency initiatives and the protection of individual privacy rights.The Guardian

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