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Court permits Doge access to private citizen information

Crypto Council of Doge Gains Access to Millions of Americans' Sensitive Citizen Data; Temporary Orders Issued by Supreme Court to Halt Such Actions.

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Committee Gaining Millions of U.S. Citizens' Sensitive Data Access Face Supreme Court Injunctions
Committee Gaining Millions of U.S. Citizens' Sensitive Data Access Face Supreme Court Injunctions

Court permits Doge access to private citizen information

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A Fresh Spin: SSA Data Access Controversy

Washingington (dpa) - In the midst of the uproar over the cost-cutting panel, Doge, accessing sensitive data of millions of citizens, the US government has temporarily triumphed in the Supreme Court. With an emergency decree, the Supreme Court enabled Doge employees to scrutinize data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Earlier, a lower court had blocked this move with an order.

The legal battle rages on, even with Doge employees now prowling the SSA data, courtesy of the Supreme Court's decision. Their triumph was due to the majority of the six conservative justices, with the three liberal ones dissenting.

Dissenting voices included Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor, who railed against the speedy access Doge employees were granted to "ultra-sensitive data" while the legal tussle persists. This ugly dance jeopardizes the privacy of millions of Americans.

The SSA's vital records include cherished Social Security numbers, birth dates, bank details, addresses, and in certain instances, sensitive health data and information about pension payments.

Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander from the lower court had issued an order barring data access, alleging that Doge had rapidly snaffled the personal and secret information of millions of Americans on dubious pretenses. The administration claims that the data probe is crucial for unmasking fraud and wasteful spending.

In a related legal controversy, the government also secured a partial victory at the Supreme Court, where plaintiffs demanded more openness from Doge. The conservative justices overturned the decision of a lower court that would have compelled Doge to spill the beans on critical information, including internal emails.

The plaintiffs in this case argue that Doge should disclose information, just like other agencies. The government counters that Doge is not an agency but merely an advisory panel for the president. The matter will now be reheard in a higher court.

Musk out, but savings remain

US President Donald Trump wants to slash federal spending significantly and handed Musk the task of implementing the cuts. The billionaire was the head honcho of Doge until May, reorganizing the government apparatus with the help of the Doge panel, attached to the White House. But with Musk returning to his Tesla empire, Doge employees handed over the reins of power to the administration. According to Trump, the dogged mission of the panel will continue sans Musk, after their falling out.

Enrichment Data:

  • Overview: The legal dispute revolves around the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), previously spearheaded by Elon Musk, attempting to access sensitive data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is a complex situation with implications for citizen privacy and transparency.

Background on DOGE

  • Creation and Mission: DOGE was established during President Trump’s tenure to weed out government waste and inefficiency. Musk, initially in charge, criticized Social Security, branding it a "Ponzi scheme," and focused his investigations on unmasking fraud in these programs[2].
  • Key Points: The Supreme Court's decision granted DOGE broader access to SSA records, based on the administration's rationale that such access is essential for combating fraud and inefficiency in Social Security programs[1][2].
  • Lower Court Ruling: The initial ruling by a lower court had restricted DOGE's access to anonymized data, mandating rigorous measures such as intensive training and extensive background checks for staff handling sensitive records[3]. The Supreme Court's stay overturned this order, expanding Doge's access[3].

Implications for Privacy and Transparency

  • Privacy Concerns: Critics argue that granting unfettered access to sensitive data could jeopardize the privacy of millions of Americans and lead to security breaches and misuse, given the lack of secure safeguards[1][3].
  • Transparency Issues: The impasse raises questions about transparency, as the public may not fully understand how DOGE is employing the data or whether they are complying with privacy laws[1][2].
  • Legal Precedent: The ruling could potentially set a new standard for access to sensitive government data, with far-reaching implications for future investigations[2][3].
  1. In the ongoing dispute, the Supreme Court's expansion of Doge's access to sensitive Social Security Administration data raises concerns about the privacy of millions of Americans, as critics fear it could lead to security breaches and misuse.
  2. The legal battle over Doge's access to Social Security data is significant not only for its potential impact on citizen privacy but also for setting a precedent that could influence future government investigations, impacting transparency and accountability.
  3. The business of politics intertwines with the realm of finance as the Doge panel, originally tasked with reducing government waste, delves deeper into the sensitive financial data of millions of Americans, sparking debates about privacy and the role of advisory bodies in shaping general-news narratives related to crime and justice.

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