US Government Data Breach: Massive Hack Underway

Unprecedented Access Granted to Elon Musk's Representatives

Individuals affiliated with Elon Musk have been granted remarkably extensive access to numerous U.S. government departments.

This includes agencies responsible for managing data pertaining to millions of federal employees, as well as a system processing $6 trillion in payments to U.S. citizens.

Formation and Actions of the Department of Government Efficiency

During the initial three weeks of a second Trump administration, a presidential advisory board—officially designated the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—comprised of representatives linked to Musk, assumed control over key federal departments and datasets.

Concerns have been raised regarding the security clearances, cybersecurity protocols, and the legal standing of Musk’s involvement.

Scope of Access and Potential Risks

A relatively small team, largely composed of younger personnel from Musk’s companies and associated networks—many lacking prior governmental experience—now possesses the ability to view and, in certain instances, manage the federal government’s most confidential data.

This data encompasses information on millions of Americans and the nation’s international allies.

The level of access attained by Musk’s DOGE team constitutes the most significant known breach of federal government data by a private entity, encountering minimal obstruction.

Lack of Transparency and Cybersecurity Concerns

DOGE has released limited information regarding its operations.

Media reports have highlighted questionable cybersecurity practices and a departure from established norms, potentially exposing sensitive government data to malicious actors.

A significant portion of DOGE’s activities centers on circumventing oversight and transparency, raising questions about adherence to cybersecurity and privacy regulations.

It remains uncertain whether DOGE personnel are following established procedures to safeguard this data or implementing other protective measures.

Evidence Suggesting Security Lapses

Current evidence indicates that security considerations are not being prioritized.

Reports suggest a DOGE staff member utilized a personal Gmail account to participate in a government call.

Furthermore, a recent lawsuit filed by federal whistleblowers alleges that DOGE directed the connection of an unauthorized email server to the government network, a violation of federal privacy laws.

Sensitive data from at least one government department is also reportedly being inputted into AI software.

The Core Issue: Outcome Over Intent

Whether DOGE staffers harbor malicious intent is secondary to the potential consequences.

Actions stemming from subterfuge, espionage, or even simple negligence can yield the same detrimental result: the compromise or loss of the nation’s critical datasets.

Understanding the Current Situation

It is crucial to examine the circumstances that have led to this situation.

Concerns Regarding Security Authorizations

The swift assumption of control over various departments and their extensive databases of American citizens’ information by DOGE came as a shock to both long-serving officials and members of the U.S. Congress. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain details from the Trump administration regarding this situation.

Cybersecurity experts have also expressed private concerns about Musk’s attempts to gain control of the nation’s data repositories. Many of these professionals have dedicated their careers to safeguarding the most sensitive U.S. systems and data.

The extent of security clearance held by DOGE personnel remains a point of contention. Specifically, questions are being raised about whether interim clearances grant them the necessary authorization to access restricted federal systems.

Upon his return to office, President Trump issued an executive order that permitted administration officials to grant “top secret” and compartmentalized security clearances on an interim basis. This practice involved limited vetting, representing a significant deviation from established procedures.

Recent days have seen brief confrontations between career officials at federal departments and DOGE staff due to the ambiguity surrounding DOGE personnel clearances. For example, senior officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were reportedly placed on leave after attempting to prevent DOGE staff from accessing classified information, as reported by the Associated Press.

DOGE ultimately obtained access to USAID’s classified facility, which contained intelligence reports. Katie Miller, a DOGE advisor, stated on X that no classified material was accessed without appropriate security clearances. However, specifics regarding the team’s clearance levels remain undisclosed, including the number of individuals granted interim secret clearances.

Members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence indicated on Wednesday that they are still awaiting answers concerning DOGE and the clearances held by its members.

The senators articulated their concerns in a written statement, noting a lack of transparency. They highlighted that no information has been provided to Congress or the public regarding the formal hiring of individuals under DOGE, the legal basis for its operations, or the vetting and monitoring processes applied to its staff and representatives before granting them access to classified materials and personal information.

Key Concerns Raised by Lawmakers

• Lack of clarity regarding DOGE’s hiring practices.
• Absence of information about the regulatory framework governing DOGE’s operations.
• Insufficient details on the vetting and monitoring of DOGE personnel.
• Unfettered access to sensitive data granted before thorough background checks.

These concerns underscore the need for greater accountability and transparency surrounding DOGE’s access to and handling of sensitive government data. The potential risks associated with inadequate security protocols are significant.

DOGE’s Assumption of Governmental Control

Following President Trump’s inauguration – and the subsequent executive order establishing DOGE – personnel associated with Musk began a systematic infiltration of various federal agencies. Among the initial targets was the U.S. Treasury’s network of sensitive payment systems. This system holds the private details of countless Americans receiving governmental disbursements, ranging from tax returns to Social Security benefits.

Access has also been granted to DOGE within the Office of Personnel Management, the federal government’s HR division. This includes comprehensive databases detailing the personal information of all federal employees. Furthermore, USAJOBS, the platform containing data on federal job applicants, is now accessible to DOGE.

Officials within OPM expressed a lack of awareness regarding the extent of Musk’s team’s system access. They indicated that this situation introduces significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities and potential hacking risks, as conveyed to Reuters.

DOGE’s expanding influence has spurred considerable opposition, even from within the Republican party.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, characterized Musk’s access to sensitive federal payment systems as a national security concern. This assessment stems from a perceived conflict of interest related to Musk’s substantial business interests in China. Subsequently, a coalition of Democratic leaders sent a letter to the Treasury Department, asserting that DOGE’s access to confidential governmental data “presents a potentially irreversible threat to national security.”

Stuart Stevens, a former Republican strategist, commented on Bluesky that the takeover of the Treasury’s systems represents “the most substantial data breach in cyber history.” He further stated that “private entities involved in the data industry now possess access to your Social Security details.”

The Treasury Department has defended its decision to authorize access to its sensitive payment systems. In an unattributed response to Democratic legislators, the department confirmed that Musk’s DOGE team has access to the Treasury’s repositories of personal American data. Tom Krause, CEO of Cloud Software Group – the parent company of Citrix and other tech firms – now holds a senior position within the Treasury as Assistant Secretary, overseeing trillions of dollars in public funds.

DOGE has subsequently obtained access to multiple critical internal systems at the Department of Education. This includes datasets containing personally identifiable information for millions of students participating in financial aid programs. Reports from The Washington Post indicate that DOGE personnel inputted sensitive employee and financial data from the department into an artificial intelligence system to analyze the agency’s expenditures. DOGE staff also requested “full access” to all systems within the Small Business Administration, encompassing contracts, payments, and personnel records.

Musk’s team also reportedly has access to payment systems utilized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as data held by the federal agencies responsible for administering Medicare and Medicaid.

DOGE is also currently accessing personnel systems at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Plans are in place to extend access to aviation systems at the Federal Aviation Administration following authorization from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Musk announced on X that DOGE intends to “implement rapid safety enhancements to the air traffic control system,” though specific details were not provided.

More recently, DOGE gained access to the Department of Energy’s IT infrastructure, despite reported concerns regarding the absence of a standard background check for a DOGE staff member. Furthermore, Musk’s personnel reportedly have read-only access to data within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the federal consumer watchdog.

Potential Security Implications: Domestic and International

Granting access to the core data infrastructure of the U.S. government to a privately vetted, unelected group introduces substantial and largely unquantified security vulnerabilities.

Several potential issues could arise from this arrangement. For instance, connecting to the government network via unapproved devices potentially infected with malware could lead to compromises across the entire federal system and the potential theft of classified or sensitive information.

Such security breaches are, unfortunately, commonplace.

Recent history demonstrates the frequency of large-scale data breaches originating from compromised personal devices. These incidents often stem from employees inadvertently installing malicious software through unofficial downloads, coupled with a lack of robust security measures like multi-factor authentication.

Any compromise of the team’s credentials, or improper handling of sensitive databases, could result in the permanent loss, theft, or misplacement of crucial government data.

A particularly concerning aspect is the lack of transparency surrounding DOGE’s operations.

Government oversight bodies and lawmakers currently lack visibility into the specific data DOGE accesses within government systems, as well as the security protocols – if any – employed to protect that data. Career professionals dedicated to safeguarding these systems are largely unable to intervene as private individuals with limited governmental experience gain access to highly sensitive datasets.

According to technology and privacy attorney Cathy Gellis, writing for Techdirt, Musk and his DOGE team could face personal liability under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, a U.S. federal law prohibiting unauthorized access to federal systems.

The response from U.S. state governments to potential data compromises affecting their residents is also a significant consideration. State data breach laws mandate the protection of citizen data, even in cases where federal regulations may be less stringent. A coalition of state attorneys general has indicated their intent to pursue legal action to prevent DOGE from accessing federal payment systems containing personal data, though a specific timeline remains undefined.

This access also risks damaging relationships with international allies.

Nations may hesitate to share intelligence with the U.S. government if they fear potential data leaks, public disclosures, or other security breaches resulting from weakened cybersecurity practices.

The full extent of the cybersecurity consequences stemming from DOGE’s continued access to federal departments and datasets may not be apparent for an extended period.

Contact Information

• Zack Whittaker can be reached on Signal and WhatsApp at +1 646-755-8849.
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Originally published February 5, 2025.