Fact Check: DOGE gained access to the sensitive data of millions of people during its operations with the Social Security Administration.

Fact Check: "DOGE gained access to the sensitive data of millions of people during its operations with the Social Security Administration."

What We Know

Recent investigations have revealed that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, was granted access to sensitive data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This data includes personal information such as Social Security numbers, medical and mental health records, and family court information (NPR). The Supreme Court ruled in favor of DOGE, allowing them "unfettered access" to these records, despite concerns raised about privacy and the legality of such access (NBC News).

An investigation by The New York Times indicated that DOGE's leadership pressured SSA executives to provide access to sensitive data, even after a federal judge had ordered restrictions on such access. The report highlighted that a 21-year-old intern was given access to this information despite concerns about his qualifications (The New York Times).

Analysis

The evidence overwhelmingly supports the claim that DOGE gained access to sensitive data of millions of Americans. The Supreme Court's decision to allow DOGE access indicates a significant shift in how personal data is handled within federal agencies. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized the ruling, stating it created "grave privacy risks for millions of Americans" and emphasized that the urgency claimed by the government did not justify bypassing legal processes (NPR).

The New York Times investigation provides a detailed account of how DOGE's leadership misinterpreted data and pushed for access to sensitive information under the guise of efficiency and fraud prevention. This narrative is corroborated by multiple sources, including internal documents and interviews with over 70 current and former SSA employees, many of whom expressed concerns about the implications of DOGE's actions (The New York Times).

While some sources, such as Axios and CNN, reported on the Supreme Court's ruling and its implications, they did not delve as deeply into the motivations and consequences of DOGE's operations as The New York Times did. This makes The New York Times a more reliable source for understanding the full context of the situation.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that DOGE gained access to the sensitive data of millions of people during its operations with the Social Security Administration is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Supreme Court's ruling and the detailed investigative reporting highlight the extent of access granted to DOGE and the potential risks posed to personal privacy.

Sources

1. Inside DOGE's Chaotic Takeover of Social Security
2. Supreme Court grants DOGE access to confidential Social Security records
3. Supreme Court allows DOGE to access Social Security data
4. DOGE's Data Digging at the Social Security Administration Puts Millions of Americans at Risk
5. Supreme Court restores DOGE's access to sensitive Social Security data
6. Musk's Team Simply Did Not Understand the Data