Particle.news
Download on the App Store
7 ARTICLES
·
2mo ago

DOGE Staffer’s Security Breach Spurs Legal and Oversight Challenges

Marko Elez violated Treasury rules by emailing unencrypted personal data, prompting lawsuits and restrictions on 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 DOGE staffer, violated Treasury Department policies by sending unencrypted personal data to Trump administration officials without prior approval.
  • The spreadsheet contained low-risk personally identifiable information, such as names and transaction details, but no Social Security numbers or birth dates.
  • The incident led to a federal court restricting DOGE’s access to Treasury systems, with the Justice Department considering steps to lift the injunction pending safeguards.
  • State attorneys general filed lawsuits to block DOGE’s access to sensitive data, citing risks to Americans’ personal and financial information.
  • Critics argue that DOGE staffers lack adequate training and oversight, raising broader concerns about the agency's handling of sensitive government data.