Federal Court Blocks DOGE Access to Sensitive Labor, Treasury Data

A series of federal court rulings have temporarily restricted the access of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to sensitive government data, amid concerns about potential violations of personal data protections. A federal judge blocked DOGE's access to Treasury Department systems after citing risks of irreparable harm, as the department faced allegations from labor unions claiming unlawful attempts to access sensitive employee and medical information. Additionally, a lawsuit filed by multiple unions contends that DOGE's actions threaten the confidentiality of federal employees' personal data and the integrity of federal operations. The court's ruling limits DOGE's ability to access payment records and data related to the Department of Labor, while requiring the destruction of any previously downloaded information. These legal challenges highlight ongoing scrutiny of DOGE's operations and the lack of transparency in its structure, as it does not officially qualify as a federal department. Hearings to further address these issues are scheduled in the coming weeks.