Judge Blocks DOGE Access to Social Security Data

A federal judge in Maryland has issued a preliminary injunction blocking Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Americans' unredacted Social Security data, requiring that only redacted data be accessible after proper training and background checks, and mandating the destruction of any previously obtained sensitive information. Whistleblowers and cybersecurity experts have accused DOGE of breaching security at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that DOGE-linked systems, possibly using Musk's Starlink, enabled Russian IP addresses to attempt unauthorized access to US government databases, raising national security concerns. Reports have surfaced of intimidation against whistleblowers at the NLRB and fears that sensitive labor data may have been removed or exposed. New York Attorney General Letitia James and other officials have criticized DOGE and SSA leadership for layoffs and operational disruptions, claiming these actions threaten essential government services. Ongoing investigations and legal challenges are examining DOGE's data practices and the whistleblower allegations. The US government has not yet publicly responded to the latest claims.