A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing personal Social Security data, criticising the move as a “fishing expedition” lacking any substantial evidence of fraud. The DOGE team, assembled under Musk, had sought extensive access to data in an attempt to uncover what they claim to be a “fraud epidemic” within the Social Security system, which Musk has controversially referred to as a “Ponzi scheme.”
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District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander’s ruling pointed out that DOGE’s attempt to access millions of Americans’ personal information was disproportionate and based on mere suspicion, likening it to “hitting a fly with a sledgehammer.” While the team has access to sensitive Social Security data under current regulations, the court found no justification for the unfettered access requested by Musk’s team. Judge Hollander also criticised the government for failing to explain why a more measured approach wasn’t considered.
Supporters of the DOGE team, including former President Donald Trump, have pushed for aggressive measures to root out waste and fraud within federal agencies. Trump has repeatedly amplified claims that dead individuals are still receiving Social Security payments, asserting that removing these cases could significantly strengthen the system. However, Judge Hollander’s ruling raised concerns over the privacy of millions of Americans, emphasising that the need for data protection outweighed unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud.
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While the DOGE team continues its investigation, officials have declined to name its members, citing fears of harassment. Despite these privacy concerns, the ruling underscores the tension between government efficiency efforts and the safeguarding of personal data, particularly when such efforts are based on speculative claims rather than hard evidence.
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