A federal appeals court has handed down a significant decision, ruling that the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) cannot grant the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial initiative led by Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump, unrestricted access to the personal data of millions of Americans.
On a narrow 9-6 vote, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia upheld a previous injunction that halted DOGE’s ability to tap into sensitive SSA records. This decision comes after a Maryland judge concluded that the SSA likely violated federal privacy laws by allowing DOGE access to critical systems. The ruling stymies an aggressive effort spearheaded by the Trump administration to overhaul federal agencies, including slashing budgets and tackling alleged inefficiencies, with Musk’s DOGE playing a central role in the push for reform.
The court’s ruling marks a setback for those who argue that government waste and inefficiency are rampant, a stance echoed by Musk, who has frequently claimed that Social Security is plagued by fraud. In a move that underscores the high stakes, Judge Robert King, a Democratic appointee, emphasized that the trust Americans place in the SSA’s protection of their personal data had been “flouted” by the unauthorized access granted to DOGE.
The appeal had been pushed by the Trump administration, which has now signaled the possibility of seeking intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court. White House spokesperson Liz Huston reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to pursuing all legal avenues to support the initiative.
At the heart of the case is an injunction secured by labor unions and advocacy groups in February, who have long raised concerns about DOGE’s sweeping access to sensitive government records. The SSA is responsible for distributing Social Security benefits to over 70 million Americans, making the privacy of its records a matter of utmost concern.
The court’s decision also compels DOGE to delete any personal information from its possession, a move that underscores the serious privacy violations at play. As the legal battle continues, all eyes are on whether the Trump administration will press forward with further appeals, or whether the ruling will stand, blocking DOGE’s access for good.
