Fri Apr 18 19:06:40 UTC 2025: **Judge Restricts Elon Musk’s Access to Social Security Data**
Washington, D.C. – A U.S. District Judge has issued a ruling restricting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to Americans’ sensitive Social Security data. The order, issued by Judge Ellen Hollander on April 17th, follows concerns raised by labor unions about the privacy implications of granting the unelected head of DOGE broad access to such information.
The ruling prohibits DOGE staff from accessing personally identifiable information, including social security numbers, medical histories, and bank records, unless the data is redacted or anonymized. Access is further limited to employees who have undergone background checks and completed training on relevant federal laws and privacy policies. The judge’s order also mandates that any non-anonymized data already obtained by DOGE since President Trump took office must be deleted. Future access to personally identifying information will require court approval, with reasons beyond general fraud or waste searches needed for justification.
The case was brought by unions, including the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), who argued that DOGE’s access violated the privacy of millions of Americans. AFSCME lauded the decision as a crucial step in preventing DOGE’s “unlawful and dangerous overreach.” The ruling follows the reported resignation of the Social Security Administration (SSA) chief in February over similar concerns regarding DOGE’s data requests. The ongoing controversy highlights concerns over DOGE’s ambiguous legal standing and questions surrounding Musk’s conflicts of interest and accountability.
First Piper 