Claim Analysis: "Biden authorized 53 students to have access to the social security database"

1. Introduction

The claim in question states that President Joe Biden authorized 53 students to access the Social Security database. This assertion raises questions about the nature of the access granted, the implications of such access, and the context in which this decision was made. The claim appears to stem from discussions surrounding data access policies and government transparency.

2. What We Know

The available sources provide limited direct evidence regarding the specific claim about 53 students accessing the Social Security database. However, some relevant information includes:

• Data Access Policies: The Social Security Administration (SSA) has been involved in discussions about open data access, as indicated by a memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding the Evidence Act, which emphasizes open data management and dissemination 1.

• IRS Data Access: A related claim from Breitbart suggests that Biden authorized 53 researchers and student volunteers to access IRS data, not specifically the Social Security database 8. This could indicate a broader context of data access but does not directly confirm the claim about Social Security.

• Confusion in Reporting: There are multiple reports discussing access to sensitive data, including IRS data and Social Security numbers, but they often conflate different types of data access, which could lead to misunderstandings about what was authorized 10.

3. Analysis

The claim that Biden authorized 53 students to access the Social Security database lacks direct support from credible sources. Here are some critical evaluations of the sources:

• Source Reliability: The claim from Breitbart 8 is notable for its partisan leanings, which may introduce bias. Breitbart is known for its conservative perspective, which could color the interpretation of Biden's actions. Additionally, the lack of direct quotes or official documentation in the article raises questions about the accuracy of the claim.

• Conflicting Information: The mention of IRS data access in the context of the claim suggests a possible misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the facts. The distinction between IRS data and Social Security data is crucial, as they are governed by different regulations and serve different purposes.

• Lack of Context: The claim does not provide information about why these students were granted access, what specific data they could access, or the intended outcomes of this access. This lack of detail makes it difficult to assess the implications of the authorization.

• Potential Conflicts of Interest: Sources like Breitbart may have a vested interest in portraying the Biden administration in a negative light, which could affect the objectivity of their reporting. This is important to consider when evaluating the credibility of the claim.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that President Biden authorized 53 students to access the Social Security database is unsupported by credible evidence. The primary sources discussing this issue do not confirm the specific access to Social Security data; instead, they reference access to IRS data, which is a distinct category. This conflation of different types of data access contributes to the misunderstanding surrounding the claim.

While there are discussions about data access policies and transparency, the lack of direct evidence linking Biden to the authorization of Social Security database access for students leads to the conclusion that the claim is false. It is essential to recognize that the information available may not encompass all aspects of the situation, and the potential for misinterpretation exists, particularly when partisan sources are involved.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the reliability of sources when assessing claims of this nature. The complexities of data access policies and the nuances of government actions warrant careful scrutiny to avoid misinformation.

5. Sources

1. Open Data at SSA - The United States Social Security Administration. Available at: https://www.ssa.gov/data/
2. Social Security Offsets and Defaulted Student Loans. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Available at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/issue-spotlight-social-security-offsets-and-defaulted-student-loans/
3. Preventing Access to U.S. Sensitive Personal Data and Government Related Data by Countries of Concern. Federal Register. Available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/08/2024-31486/preventing-access-to-us-sensitive-personal-data-and-government-related-data-by-countries-of-concern
4. Social Security Lists Thousands of Migrants as Dead to Prompt Them to ‘Self-Deport’. The New York Times. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/us/politics/migrants-deport-social-security-doge.html
5. Fact Check: Biden did not sign executive order to terminate Social Security. Reuters. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/biden-did-not-sign-executive-order-terminate-social-security-2024-03-28/
6. Biden signs Social Security bill that raises benefits for some public workers. NPR. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2025/01/06/nx-s1-5249689/social-security-fairness-act-biden-signed
7. Biden's Social Security Spin. FactCheck.org. Available at: https://www.factcheck.org/2025/04/bidens-social-security-spin/
8. Biden Gave 53 Researchers, Student Volunteers Access to IRS Data. Breitbart. Available at: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/02/19/joe-biden-gave-53-researchers-student-volunteers-access-to-irs-data/
9. MSN. Available at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/as-media-freaks-over-1-doge-employee-getting-irs-access-we-learn-biden-gave-919-people-access/ar-AA1zmzRU
10. Musk's claim Biden administration gave Social Security numbers to ... Snopes. Available at: https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/04/01/musk-biden-social-security-numbers/