Judge Blocks DOGE Access to Education Data Amid Privacy Concerns

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Department of Education and the Office of Personnel Management from allowing Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive personal information. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman ruled that such access likely violated the Privacy Act of 1974, as the plaintiffs, including labor unions, argued that the agencies improperly granted DOGE access to personal data such as Social Security numbers and bank account information. The ruling, which comes amid broader concerns about privacy and data protection, emphasizes that DOGE affiliates do not have a legitimate need for this information to perform their duties. The Trump administration contended that blocking access would hinder the president's agenda, but Boardman maintained that the order protects individuals' privacy rights. The White House has yet to comment on the decision, which is part of ongoing legal challenges against DOGE’s operations. This ruling represents a significant step in the ongoing debate over government access to personal data amidst calls for greater privacy safeguards.