Judge Blocks Release of Personal Data to Musk’s DOGE Team
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Department of Education and the Office of Personnel Management from sharing sensitive personal information with representatives from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The judge found that this disclosure likely violated the Privacy Act by releasing data—including bank account numbers and Social Security numbers—without consent. The order protects current and former federal employees from potential misuse of their data by DOGE. The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by several unions representing federal employees, who argue the data is being used inappropriately. The judge clarified that the order does not impede the administration’s broader policy goals, only the unauthorized release of sensitive personal information.
John Q. Hosedrinker