Union groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury, claiming it violated federal laws by allowing Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive financial and personal information. The plaintiffs—demand that the court stop the unlawful sharing of records.
The lawsuit concerns the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, an entity that holds individual information about millions of individuals who have financial dealings with the federal government. Its files include names, Social Security numbers, addresses, and bank information. Federal legislation protects such information, and access is just to persons with a proper purpose.
However, shortly after Scott Bessent took over at Treasury, he allegedly ousted a senior Bureau administrator and granted DOGE unqualified access to sensitive documents. Made in a not publicly disclosed and not legally justified manner, it raised concerns regarding invasion of privacy. Millions of retirees, taxpayers, and federal workers, according to plaintiffs, stand at risk of having private information improperly runing through such access.
Plaintiffs demand an immediate block on DOGE data use
The case presents a larger issue that concerns the Treasury. It is the key public holder and manager of nearly $5 trillion, including the Social Security and tax funds. The Privacy Act and the Internal Revenue Code prohibit the disclosure of personal data without the consent of the individual concerned, yet DOGE’s access to this information violates those protections.
Plaintiffs claim that the Treasury’s moves create distrust among the public and thus make personal data vulnerable. The DOGE is a public entity that aims to improve the efficiency of government operations and its methodologies. Therefore, users have attributed to overstepping legal boundaries.
The unions are asking for the court to prohibit further unauthorized disclosures. By so doing, to secure the privacy of those who use federal systems for financial transactions. This lawsuit is one among many that represent a continuing battle to safeguard government data from being misused. Primarily when private citizens and corporations are granted permission to use sensitive public records.
