Cybersecurity professionals and government experts have raised serious concerns about potential security breaches as Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gains unprecedented access to sensitive federal systems.
Reports indicate DOGE employees have obtained access to the Treasury Department's payment system at the Bureau of Fiscal Service, which manages over $6 trillion in annual government payments including Social Security and Medicare benefits. A 25-year-old former Musk employee has reportedly been granted administrative access to these critical systems.
At the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the installation of an unauthorized private server has sparked particular alarm. The agency maintains sensitive records for millions of federal workers, with experts drawing parallels to the devastating 2015 OPM data breach by Chinese hackers.
"These systems have now become untrusted," said a former federal cybersecurity expert speaking anonymously. "Restoring them to their previous security levels will require extensive resources."
Democratic lawmakers have demanded answers about these security lapses. Senator Elizabeth Warren characterized the situation as a "security and management failure" in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant.
Legal experts warn that federal employees face a difficult position. Under the E-Government Act of 2002, willfully disclosing protected information carries penalties of up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. However, those refusing access to DOGE representatives have reportedly faced administrative leave or termination.
A coalition of labor unions has filed suit against the Treasury Department over the disclosure of Americans' personal and financial data to DOGE personnel. The lawsuit alleges that sensitive information including Social Security numbers, birth dates, and bank account details has been improperly exposed.
Federal workers have organized protests outside OPM offices in Washington, expressing opposition to what they view as dangerous violations of established security protocols. The demonstrations are expected to continue throughout the week as concerns mount over the security implications of DOGE's expanding control over government systems.