At least eight ongoing lawsuits related to the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s alleged access to sensitive data hinge on the Watergate-inspired Privacy Act of 1974. But it’s not airtight.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is facing multiple lawsuits alleging violations of the Privacy Act of 1974, which restricts how the government handles personal data. Critics argue that DOGE’s unauthorized access to sensitive information from agencies like the Treasury, Education, and Social Security breaches privacy rights. The government defends its actions under the Act’s exceptions for routine use and need-to-know, but courts are yet to rule on these claims, leaving the legal outcome unresolved.
