Whistleblower Claims Social Security Data of 300 Million Americans at Risk

Charles Borges, the chief data officer for the Social Security Administration (SSA), has filed a whistleblower complaint exposing significant security vulnerabilities involving a cloud-based copy of the SSA's database containing sensitive personal information of over 300 million Americans. This database, managed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), lacks proper security oversight and tracking, raising fears of potential identity theft, loss of healthcare and food benefits, and costly reissuance of Social Security numbers if malicious actors gain access. The creation of this unsecured copy occurred despite legal challenges, including a temporary restraining order, but was ultimately allowed by the Supreme Court at President Donald Trump's urging, enabling DOGE to proceed with data access purportedly to combat fraud. The complaint highlights a disturbing pattern of risky administrative misconduct and lack of remedial action by SSA leadership, amplifying concerns previously raised about DOGE's integration into federal agencies under the Trump administration. Experts warn that while no breach has been confirmed, the exposed database is a prime target for hackers, with identity theft risks including fraudulent credit applications and tax refund claims. The SSA has stated it takes whistleblower concerns seriously as investigations continue.