Opinion: Allegations That Elon Musk’s 'DOGE' Accessed Social Security Records for 500 Million Americans

The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains records for more than 500 million Americans, living and deceased. Federal law limits the agency’s mission to one core purpose: ensuring people receive the benefits they have earned — not deporting neighbors, not enriching private companies, and not interfering with citizens’ right to vote. Recent whistleblower complaints, court filings and media reports allege that operatives tied to Elon Musk’s so‑called Department of Government Efficiency ("DOGE") improperly accessed and copied SSA data.

Longstanding Safeguards, New Allegations

For decades, protecting the confidentiality and security of SSA records has been a central priority. The very first regulation issued by the original three‑member Social Security Board focused on keeping Americans’ records private and secure. Today, every SSA employee and contractor must complete annual privacy and security training.

What Whistleblowers and Filings Allege

Multiple whistleblower complaints, federal inquiries and court filings allege that individuals placed at SSA by DOGE engaged in improper handling and sharing of sensitive records. Key allegations include:

• Copying Social Security databases to an unsecured cloud server, potentially exposing personal information to hackers, scammers and foreign adversaries.
• Agreeing to share SSA data with a political advocacy group alleged to have sought to influence or overturn election outcomes.
• Saving SSA databases to a personal thumb drive and transferring them to a subsequent private contractor employer.
• Pressuring employees to share data with the Department of Homeland Security for immigration enforcement purposes, according to internal complaints.

"There could be one or a million copies of it, and we will never know now," said Charles Borges, a whistleblower and former SSA chief data officer.

Why This Matters

SSA records are a lucrative target for identity thieves and scammers. The agency’s files include Social Security numbers, addresses, birthplaces, citizenship information, mothers’ maiden names, and family details. For applicants who sought disability benefits, SSA may also hold medical histories. Those data elements can be used to impersonate beneficiaries, steal benefits, commit financial fraud or enable other harms.

Legal And Political Context

According to court records summarized in public reporting, a lower court had sought to curtail DOGE’s access to SSA data; the Supreme Court later issued a preliminary injunction restoring that access while litigation continued. Congressional Republicans reportedly declined to support Democratic investigations into DOGE operatives. Advocates and some lawmakers say more vigorous oversight and accountability are needed.

What’s Next: The author urges voters to consider oversight measures: if Democrats win control of Congress, they would be able to subpoena current and former administration officials and pursue accountability where appropriate. That process could illuminate who now has copies of SSA data and what steps are needed to secure it.

Note: The allegations described here come from whistleblowers, court filings and media reports. Some claims remain under investigation and have not been fully adjudicated in court.

Nancy Altman is president of Social Security Works.

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