Government Workers and Election Doubters: A Risky Data Deal

Unauthorized Chats and Plans with Political Group

A recent court filing has exposed troubling actions by employees of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Some workers engaged in unauthorized chats and plans with a political group that aimed to investigate voter lists for alleged election fraud. The Social Security Administration (SSA), which oversees DOGE, acknowledged that these actions violated rules designed to protect individuals' private information.

Involvement of Controversial Political Group

The political group in question is known for promoting false claims about the 2020 election and even produced a film filled with debunked conspiracy theories. Although the SSA has not found evidence that actual data was shared, the mere agreement with the group breached internal rules. This is particularly alarming because DOGE has access to highly sensitive information about millions of people.

Timeline of Events

• Early 2025: The group contacted DOGE, requesting assistance in examining voter rolls.
• Data Agreement: A DOGE employee signed a data agreement with the group.
• November 2025: The SSA discovered the agreement during a routine check, highlighting a lack of oversight and raising concerns about data security.

Use of Unapproved Servers

The court filing also revealed that DOGE team members used unapproved servers to share data, making it difficult to track what information might have been exposed. The SSA has referred the involved employee for a review, which could result in disciplinary action for violating federal laws prohibiting government workers from engaging in partisan political activities.

Broader Implications

This news comes amid ongoing litigation over DOGE's access to SSA data, following a Supreme Court decision allowing such access. The disclosure in the court filing underscores concerns about the potential misuse of protected data. It serves as a stark reminder that even government agencies can face risks related to data security and ethical behavior.