The leaders of the Senate Finance Committee are seeking urgent clarification from the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding its data handling practices.This request follows troubling revelations about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its management of personally identifiable information (PII) during the Trump administration.
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fedscoop.comIn a letter dated Tuesday, Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., expressed their concerns to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano.The letter highlights findings from a recent Department of Justice (DOJ) court filing that revealed potentially noncompliant actions by DOGE in its handling of sensitive data.
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fedscoop.comAccording to the DOJ's January 16 filing, an internal review of the SSA's former DOGE team indicated that "communications, use of data and other actions" might have violated SSA policy and a prior court order that limited DOGE's access to sensitive information.
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fedscoop.comThis court order was initially issued in March 2025 as part of a lawsuit filed by the AFL-CIO and other labor organizations concerned about DOGE's data access.
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fedscoop.comThe revelations included allegations that DOGE members improperly shared data through an unapproved third-party Cloudflare server, raising significant privacy concerns.
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fedscoop.comThe SSA had reportedly been unaware of this data-sharing practice until the DOJ's review.
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fedscoop.comIn their letter, Crapo and Wyden requested a briefing from the SSA on how this noncompliance was discovered, as well as the steps the agency intends to take to ensure future adherence to data protection policies.
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fedscoop.comThey emphasized the necessity for the SSA to improve its ability to identify all relevant information concerning DOGE's data usage, particularly as Congress continues to scrutinize the group’s activities.
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fedscoop.comThe DOJ filing has drawn significant scrutiny, particularly regarding communications between DOGE members and a political advocacy group that requested analysis of state voter rolls to support claims of voter fraud.
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fedscoop.comThis relationship has raised concerns about the potential misuse of SSA data for political purposes, further complicating the agency's already controversial standing.
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fedscoop.comIn response to inquiries about the situation, an SSA spokesperson reaffirmed the agency's commitment to safeguarding the personal data of Americans.They stated that the agency's systems are continuously monitored by professionals adhering to federal and industry security standards.
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fedscoop.comFurthermore, the spokesperson indicated that the SSA is committed to engaging with Congress regarding its data protection measures going forward.
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fedscoop.comThis issue comes in the wake of broader criticisms of the SSA under the leadership of acting commissioner Lee Dudek, who has faced backlash for comments suggesting that the court's restrictions on DOGE could disrupt agency operations.
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cnbc.comThe court clarified that the temporary restraining order only applies to specific DOGE-affiliated employees, which Dudek initially misinterpreted, claiming it could affect all SSA operations.
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cnbc.comAdvocacy groups have expressed alarm over Dudek's management, claiming that the agency has jeopardized Americans' security and threatened the timely delivery of Social Security benefits.
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cnbc.comDudek has since apologized for his earlier statements and committed to following the court's directives, while also calling for clarification on the order.
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cnbc.comThe ongoing scrutiny of the SSA and its practices highlights the increasing tension between federal agencies and legislative oversight, particularly concerning the protection of sensitive data in the digital age.
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fedscoop.comcnbc.comAs Congress continues to investigate these issues, the implications for data privacy and governmental transparency remain at the forefront of public discourse.
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cnbc.comLawmakers are determined to ensure strict compliance with privacy regulations to protect the personal information of millions of Americans, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within the SSA.
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fedscoop.comThe outcome of these inquiries could set significant precedents for federal data handling practices and policies in the future.
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fedscoop.comAs the situation develops, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the SSA responds to these demands for clarity and what measures will be implemented to prevent future violations of privacy standards.
