Court Blocks DOGE's Access to Social Security Data Over Privacy Concerns

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order limiting DOGE's access to sensitive Social Security records, citing a lack of justification and potential privacy violations.

Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander ordered DOGE to delete any non-anonymized data obtained from the Social Security Administration and barred the installation of software on its systems.
The restraining order allows DOGE limited access to anonymized data, contingent on proper training and background checks for its representatives.
The court criticized DOGE's efforts as a 'fishing expedition' without concrete evidence of fraud, describing its methods as overly intrusive and unjustified.
The lawsuit was brought by unions and advocacy groups who argued that DOGE's actions violated privacy laws and endangered sensitive personal information.
SSA Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek initially suggested shutting down SSA operations but later clarified compliance with the court's order following judicial guidance.