US federal judge limits DOGE’s access to social security data

ISTANBUL

A US federal judge has limited the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech-billionaire Elon Musk, from accessing the data of millions of people stored by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

US District Judge Ellen Hollander on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction in a case brought by labor unions and retirees, claiming DOGE's recent actions violate privacy laws and pose significant security risks.

The injunction permits DOGE staff to access redacted or anonymized data, provided they complete training and background checks.

During a federal court hearing in Baltimore on Tuesday, Judge Hollander questioned the government’s attorneys about why DOGE requires "seemingly unfettered access" to sensitive personal information to investigate Social Security fraud.

Hollander raised concerns about the need for excessive data, suggesting anonymization, but Department of Justice attorneys argued it would slow down their work, defending DOGE's actions as standard procedure.

Plaintiffs' attorneys described it as unprecedented and a major shift in how sensitive data, such as medical and mental health records, are handled, particularly those involving "issues that are not only sensitive but might carry a stigma," especially when it comes to vulnerable groups like children and disabled individuals.

Top SSA official Michelle King resigned on Feb. 18, after refusing a request from the DOGE team to access sensitive agency records.

On March 21, Hollander temporarily blocked the access to SSA data that Musk’s controversial government reform team has had.

Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, actions by Musk -- Trump’s top campaign donor -- have drawn widespread controversy and condemnation, from seeking to fire tens of thousands of workers with form letters to declaring Social Security “a Ponzi scheme” and international development assistance agency USAID a “criminal organization.”

Musk has also drawn fire for letting his young employees -- who have not been vetted by the government, as required under the law -- have full access to sensitive computer systems and data, for reasons unknown.