Social Security Chief Rescinds Shutdown Threat After Judge's Ruling

The head of the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), Leland Dudek, has reversed his earlier threat to shut down the agency following a federal judge's ruling that restricted access to sensitive agency data for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). U.S. District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander ruled that the SSA likely violated privacy laws by allowing DOGE unrestricted access to personal information. Dudek had initially suggested that complying with the ruling might require blocking all SSA employees from accessing essential data, which could disrupt benefit payments for millions. However, after clarification from the judge, he stated that the agency would continue operations under the temporary restraining order and that not all employees would be affected. Hollander emphasized that her ruling allowed for continued access to necessary records as long as personally identifiable information was redacted. This situation has highlighted the tensions between government efficiency efforts and privacy concerns.