The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has raised alarms regarding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, claiming it has gained unchecked access to federal computer systems that manage sensitive personnel data. In a letter sent to Congress, the ACLU warned that this access could not only breach federal laws but could also violate constitutional rights.
According to the ACLU, DOGE has taken control of systems across various federal agencies that oversee the personnel files of nearly two million federal employees and provide essential information technology services to the government. They argue that any misuse of sensitive data—especially in efforts to remove staff deemed ideologically unaligned—could lead to significant legal implications, violating laws such as the Privacy Act and the Federal Information Security Modernization Act, which prevent unauthorized access to government personnel information.
The organization’s concerns were amplified by DOGE’s access to Treasury systems responsible for managing most federal payments, including Social Security benefits and tax refunds. This access ostensibly allows DOGE to manipulate financial assistance programs and exposes a wealth of personal information, from Social Security numbers to bank details.
The ACLU emphasized that such sensitive data would typically be managed by experienced civil servants, not inexperienced engineers with limited training in data privacy or human resources. This situation has prompted the ACLU to file Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to obtain communications from DOGE staff and their requests relating to access to sensitive data from the Office of Personnel Management.
The group is also seeking information about DOGE’s plans to implement AI tools within government operations, including how they plan to comply with existing privacy laws, such as the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A recent report indicated that DOGE is pushing to implement an AI chatbot called “GSAi” at the General Services Administration, which manages the IT infrastructure of the federal government, without clear evaluations of the privacy risks involved.
The ACLU has stated it is prepared to explore all legal avenues to obtain the necessary documents, including filing lawsuits if required. They argued that the public has a right to know whether their private information is being improperly accessed or utilized. Highlighting the potential dangers, ACLU representatives cautioned against presidential overreach that might undermine critical programs and harm citizens.
The ACLU’s warning was addressed to key congressional committees overseeing various sectors, urging them to ensure that the executive branch adheres to legal standards in its handling of sensitive information.
