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Concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accessing sensitive information in departments like the Treasury and the Department of Education are multifaceted.
Firstly, there’s the worry that DOGE’s access, primarily via young and inexperienced staff, could lead to cybersecurity breaches, exposing millions of personal and financial data. Secondly, the lack of transparency regarding who has access, what clearances they have, and how they’re vetted had raised alarms, mainly by Democrats, about potential misuse of this data.
The Treasury Department, the U.S. government’s financial backbone, holds data critical to national security and economic stability, making any unauthorized or mishandled access a significant risk. Similarly, at the Department of Education, Democrats worry DOGE’s access to student loan data could compromise the personal information of millions of borrowers, potentially violating privacy laws like the Privacy Act of 1974. There’s also concern over the legal authority of DOGE, with some experts questioning whether such access bypasses established federal laws and protocols.
Cybersecurity experts fear that new vulnerabilities might be introduced by granting access to previously secure systems, either intentionally or through negligence. The potential for data to be copied, exfiltrated, or mishandled is another critical issue, especially given reports of DOGE personnel using non-government devices or systems. Moreover, the involvement of figures like Edward Coristine, known as “Big Balls,” with a background not traditionally aligned with handling sensitive government data, exacerbates these concerns.
We want to ask you, the reader: are you against Musk’s DOGE team accessing sensitive information? Answer in our poll below and comment your thoughts on DOGE’s accessibility to sensitive data systems.
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