Unions Sue to Block DOGE’s Access to Social Security Data/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A coalition of labor unions has filed an emergency court motion to prevent Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing millions of Americans’ Social Security records. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Maryland, raises concerns over data privacy and government overreach. The Trump administration claims the move is part of a cost-cutting effort to eliminate waste and fraud, but unions argue DOGE’s actions could endanger Americans’ sensitive information. A federal judge in Washington previously refused to block DOGE’s access to Treasury Department databases, further escalating fears about its expanding reach.
DOGE vs. Unions: Quick Look
- Legal Challenge:
- Unions and retirees file emergency motion to block DOGE’s access to Social Security data.
- Filed in Maryland federal court against the Social Security Administration (SSA) and its acting commissioner, Leland Dudek.
- Privacy Concerns:
- Former SSA official warns DOGE’s access “threatens the security of millions of Americans’ data.”
- Unions argue DOGE wants unrestricted access to taxpayer records without justification.
- Trump Administration’s Defense:
- Claims efforts aim to eliminate waste and fraud in government programs.
- DOGE has already accessed Treasury and IRS databases under similar claims.
- Ongoing Court Battles:
- A federal judge in Washington recently refused to block DOGE’s Treasury access, though privacy concerns remain.
- A New York court order still limits DOGE’s access to some government systems.
- Potential Impact:
- Cuts at SSA could lead to mass layoffs, office closures, and benefit disruptions for millions.
Unions Sue to Block DOGE’s Access to Social Security Data
Deep Look: Unions Battle DOGE Over Social Security Data Access
Legal Battle Over Government Data Control
Labor unions and retiree advocacy groups escalated their fight against the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by filing an emergency court motion late Friday.
The lawsuit, brought by Democracy Forward, seeks to block DOGE from gaining access to vast databases containing personal and financial records of millions of Social Security beneficiaries.
The target of the lawsuit is the Social Security Administration (SSA) and its acting commissioner, Leland Dudek.
“A Dangerous Breach of Privacy,” Unions Say
“DOGE is swooping in and bullying their way into access to millions of Americans’ private data,” said Karianne Jones, an attorney representing the unions.
“They can’t explain why they want this data. They just want everything.”
The lawsuit includes testimony from Tiffany Flick, a former senior SSA official, who said career civil servants are actively resisting DOGE’s efforts.
“A disregard for our careful privacy systems and processes now threatens the security of the data SSA houses,” Flick warned in her affidavit.
DOGE’s Expanding Access to Government Databases
DOGE has already gained access to other government data systems, including those at the Treasury Department and IRS.
The Trump administration argues that the efforts are necessary to “eliminate fraud and waste” in federal programs.
However, the lack of transparency about DOGE’s objectives and methods has alarmed privacy advocates and government watchdogs.
“They want the source code, and they want to do it without any restrictions,” Jones said.
Judges Weigh In: Privacy vs. Efficiency
While the legal fight continues, judges in different jurisdictions have issued mixed rulings on DOGE’s data access:
- Washington, D.C.: A federal judge refused to block DOGE from accessing Treasury Department systems but acknowledged privacy concerns.
- New York: A separate court order still restricts DOGE’s access to certain government databases.
- Maryland: The new lawsuit could determine whether DOGE gains access to SSA data.
Cuts at SSA: What It Means for Americans
The Trump administration’s federal downsizing efforts could have widespread consequences.
- More than 10% of SSA workers face layoffs under cost-cutting measures.
- Dozens of SSA offices could close, making it harder for beneficiaries to access services.
- Potential delays in benefits processing due to staffing shortages.
These reductions, unions argue, could leave millions of Americans struggling to access Social Security benefits.
What Happens Next?
The Maryland federal court will now decide whether to grant an emergency order blocking DOGE’s access to Social Security data.
If the court rules in favor of the unions, DOGE’s access could be restricted, setting a precedent for future cases.
If the court denies the request, DOGE’s ability to expand its data collection across federal agencies could grow even further.
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