DOGE Compromised Social Security Data, Whistleblower Claims
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) officials uploaded a copy of the Social Security database to an unsecured cloud server, potentially comprising the sensitive data of over 300 million Americans, according to a new whistleblower complaint.
The complaint, submitted by whistleblower group the Government Accountability Project on behalf of Social Security Administration (SSA) Chief Data Officer Chuck Borges, alleges serious data security lapses between Edward Coristine, Aram Moghaddassi, John Solly, and Michael Russo, all members of DOGE who are currently employed by the SSA.
It states that DOGE officials created a live copy of sensitive Social Security information that contained names, place and date of birth, citizenship, addresses, and parents’ names and Social Security numbers, among other personal data, and then uploaded it to a cloud environment that evades independent oversight and that only DOGE can access.
The complaint notes that if hackers were to get their hands on this information, it could cause widespread identity theft and a loss of healthcare and food benefits. The government could also be responsible for reissuing new Social Security numbers to millions of Americans, according to the complaint.
“Mr. Borges’ disclosures involve wrongdoing including apparent systemic data security violations, uninhibited administrative access to highly sensitive production environments, and potential violations of internal SSA security protocols and federal privacy laws… These actions constitute violations of laws, rules, and regulations, abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, and creation of a substantial and specific threat to public health and safety,” the complaint states.
The complaint underscores months of speculation over DOGE’s pursuit of sensitive Social Security data, which ultimately led to the resignation of a top SSA official for her refusal to provide the information. While DOGE says it sought access to the information to address claims of fraud, a lawsuit stated that allowing access could jeopardize Americans’ private information. A federal judge would eventually issue a temporary restraining order in March, but Borges states that DOGE officials would later circumvent that order.
Borges said he later discovered “a disturbing pattern of questionable and risky security access and administrative misconduct,” that could threaten the public’s sensitive data and made internal disclosures to his colleagues.
“Out of a sense of urgency and duty to the American public, he is now raising the alarm to Congress and the Office of Special Counsel, urging them to engage in immediate oversight to address these serious concerns,” said Andrea Meza, director of Campaigns for Government Accountability Project and an attorney for Borges.
A Social Security spokesperson told Axios that the agency was “not aware of any compromise to this environment” and is “dedicated to protecting sensitive personal data.”
“SSA stores all personal data in secure environments that have robust safeguards in place to protect vital information. The data referenced in the complaint is stored in a long-standing environment used by SSA and walled off from the internet,” the spokesperson stated.
SEE ALSO:
Social Security Administration Cutting 7,000 Jobs in DOGE-Initiated Restructuring
Top Social Security Official Resigns in Wake of Clash with Musk’s DOGE
Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks DOGE Access to Social Security Info
Amanda Umpierrez is the Managing Editor of 401(k) Specialist magazine. She is a financial services reporter with nearly a decade of experience and a passion for telling stories and reporting news. She is originally from Queens, New York, but now resides in Denver, Colorado.
