Judge Expresses Serious Concerns Over Data Privacy and Government Overreach

Washington, D.C. — A federal court today acknowledged “grave” concerns about the Trump-Vance administration granting unlawful access to “some of the most personal information individuals entrust to the government” to the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While the court declined to block further access at this stage of litigation, the case continues on the merits.

This case challenges the Trump-Vance administration’s efforts to bypass federal privacy protections and grant access to critical labor and health data to DOGE operatives. Democracy Forward represents labor unions American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Communications Workers of America (CWA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT)—alongside the Economic Policy Institute, Virginia Poverty Law Center, and Economic Action Maryland Fund.

In the decision, the court recognized that DOGE operatives currently have access to systems containing highly sensitive data—including Social Security numbers, medical records, employment history, and financial information—but ruled that plaintiffs had not yet shown that the data would be imminently misused or disclosed publicly.

“While today’s decision is disappointing, the court made clear it shares our deep concerns,” said Aman George, Senior Counsel at Democracy Forward. “We are committed to continuing this case and holding the administration accountable for exposing millions of Americans’ private records to politically motivated operatives with no legal authority to access them.”

The court emphasized that it remains ready to act if the coalition ultimately prevails and affirmed that plaintiffs may continue to pursue discovery and legal remedies, including permanent relief. This case marks the first time a court has granted discovery into DOGE’s access to federal data systems, shedding light on the scale and secrecy of its operations.

The case is AFL-CIO et al. v. Department of Labor, and the legal team at Democracy Forward includes Mark Samburg, Aman George, and Robin Thurston.  

Learn more about the case here. 

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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org