US States Sue Elon Musk's X Over Dogecoin Data Breach

States Prepare Legal Challenge to Elon Musk's Access to Federal Payment Systems

A group comprised of over a dozen U.S. states is preparing to initiate legal action. This action aims to prevent Elon Musk’s team, focused on cost reduction, from gaining access to federal government payment systems.

These systems hold sensitive personal data belonging to American citizens. The intention of the lawsuit is to safeguard this information.

Coalition Statement and Intent

Thirteen Democratic attorneys general, representing states including California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, and New York, released a concise statement. They indicated their plan to file a lawsuit “in defense of our Constitution, our right to privacy, and the essential funding that individuals and communities nationwide are counting on.”

The states involved have not yet specified the timing or the court where the lawsuit will be filed. Details regarding the specific remedies sought by the attorneys general remain undisclosed.

Access Granted to Sensitive Data

This planned legal challenge follows recent developments where Musk’s team, largely composed of younger professionals from his various companies, was granted access to critical U.S. government departments and datasets.

This access includes systems containing personally identifiable information for millions of Americans. This data relates to benefits such as Social Security checks, tax returns, and other federal payments.

Historically, access to these sensitive systems was restricted to a limited number of long-term departmental employees due to the nature of the data.

Department of Government Efficiency Control

Currently, Musk’s team, operating under the name the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has oversight of the U.S. Treasury, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other significant federal agencies.

Senior Democrats have voiced concerns, characterizing Musk’s level of access as a potential national security risk. These concerns stem from potential conflicts related to his substantial business interests in China.

Musk's Financial Standing

Elon Musk, recognized as the world’s wealthiest individual, possesses a net worth exceeding $400 billion.

State Data Protection Laws

Although the U.S. lacks a comprehensive nationwide data protection framework, individual states have established laws to protect the data of their residents.

These state laws extend to data held by the federal government, reinforcing the need for robust data security measures.

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