Appeals Court Blocks DOGE Access to Social Security Data

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has dismissed the Trump administration's appeal against a temporary restraining order that blocks the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Social Security data. This decision allows the case to proceed in district court, where a federal judge had previously criticized DOGE's efforts as a 'fishing expedition' with insufficient justification for accessing personal data. The March 20 ruling required DOGE to delete any personally identifiable information it had obtained and permitted access only to data that is anonymized, contingent upon staff undergoing training and background checks. Advocacy groups and unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, are plaintiffs in the case, emphasizing the need for strong privacy protections for American retirees. The Trump administration argues that DOGE is essential for targeting waste in federal programs, while critics view it as a threat to individual privacy rights. The case highlights ongoing tensions between government efficiency initiatives and the safeguarding of citizens' personal information.