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In a letter to the Social Security Administration’s Inspector General’s office, Ranking Member Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA) alleges that Elon Musk’s government entity, known as “DOGE,” is now constructing a cross-agency master database of sensitive personal information. Wired reports that this database could combine IRS, SSA, and voting records for surveillance targeting undocumented migrants.
### The Growing Concerns Surrounding DOGE
House Democrats have raised concerns about the activities of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), an organization founded by Elon Musk with the goal of reducing the size of the federal government. According to Rep. Connolly’s letter, the agency is now building a “master database” containing sensitive personal information from multiple sources.
Connolly cites testimony from Social Security Administration (SSA) whistleblowers who witnessed DOGE engineers accessing SSA’s IT system with backpacks full of laptops, each equipped with access to different agency systems. The goal was reportedly to combine the various databases into a single cross-agency master database.
The Ranking Member warns that such a database could pose significant risks to government cybersecurity, as well as violate several privacy laws. Connolly states: “Any efforts to reform our current systems must be undertaken with the utmost sensitivity and concern for privacy, security, and the Social Security payments that millions of people rely on.”
### Privacy Implications and Cybersecurity Risks
The cross-agency database raises significant privacy concerns, as it could potentially violate numerous privacy laws. Additionally, the data gathered by DOGE could be used by government officials to conduct mass surveillance of targeted individuals, such as immigrants or others deemed suspicious.
Furthermore, if accessed by outside actors seeking private and personal information, this massive trove of data would provide a valuable resource for cybercriminals. The Privacy Act was designed to prevent the aggregation of sensitive data, but with DOGE’s master database, privacy protections have been largely ignored.
### Unprecedented Operational Risks and Security Concerns
In addition to potential privacy violations, Connolly also highlights operational risks associated with this cross-agency master database project. By attempting to create specialized computers that grant full access to networks and databases across multiple agencies, DOGE engineers are reportedly disregarding important cybersecurity considerations.
This move could undermine the government’s “zero-trust” security architecture, which is designed to prevent a breach at one agency from spreading across other parts of the federal system. The interconnected nature of this database project raises serious concerns about potential operational risks and undermines cybersecurity efforts in the process.
### A Troubling Trend for Privacy Protections
DOGE’s growing list of data harvesting activities, including its controversial master database project, is a troubling trend that highlights the need to strengthen privacy protections across federal agencies. As technology continues to advance and data-driven policies become more prevalent, it is crucial that lawmakers prioritize protecting sensitive information from potential misuse or exploitation by unauthorized parties.
As Rep. Connolly’s letter demonstrates, DOGE’s master database poses significant risks to cybersecurity, privacy rights, and the Social Security payments relied upon by millions of Americans. Congress must work diligently to ensure that these concerns are addressed before further damage is done to an already compromised system.
