Judge orders new limits on DOGE data access at Social Security Administration

A federal judge has once again prohibited Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) personnel operating within the Social Security Administration (SSA) from obtaining sensitive personal information of millions of Americans. The order was issued following a lawsuit brought by a group of unions and retirees in Maryland, one of many legal actions questioning the data access of DOGE and its potential misuse. The judge emphasized that while rooting out fraud and mismanagement at the SSA is important, it must be done in accordance with the law. The Trump administration, which aims to combat waste and abuse, plans to appeal the decision, stating that their efforts align with the public’s expectations. The ruling prevents DOGE staff from accessing specific SSA databases containing personal data and requires the removal of any non-anonymized information. Concerns over DOGE’s data access have been raised in various federal agencies, prompting ongoing scrutiny and investigations.