Particle.news
Download on the App Store
7 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

DOGE Staffer Violated Treasury Rules by Sharing Unencrypted Personal Data

Marko Elez, a 25-year-old staffer, resigned after the breach but was later rehired, raising concerns over data security and DOGE's access to sensitive government systems.

A demonstrator holds up a sign during a rally in front of the U.S. Treasury Department in protest of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency on Feb. 4. (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
Image
Elon Musk shows off a shirt that says DOGE as he walks on the South Lawn of the white Housein Washington, DC on March 9, 2025.
The 25-year-old DOGE staffer was also "mistakenly" given read-and-write access to Treasury systems during his time at the department.

Overview

  • Marko Elez, a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer, emailed unencrypted personal data to two Trump administration officials, violating Treasury Department policies.
  • The spreadsheet contained low-risk personally identifiable information (PII) but was shared without encryption or prior approval, breaching security protocols.
  • Elez resigned in February after being linked to a racist social media account but was later rehired by DOGE at the Social Security Administration.
  • The incident is part of a broader lawsuit by 19 state attorneys general challenging DOGE's access to sensitive government databases, citing inadequate training and data security risks.
  • Court filings revealed Elez had mistakenly been granted read-and-write access to Treasury systems, though no alterations were made, intensifying scrutiny over DOGE's operations.