Baltimore, MD – Today, a federal court has blocked Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) from unlawfully accessing millions of Americans’ Social Security records—ordering, for the first time since Trump took office, that DOGE delete and disgorge of every piece of data it has wrongfully seized. This ruling underscores the grave legal violations and rebukes the government’s unlawful data grab.

The decision requires DOGE to return or destroy all private Social Security data it accessed, recognizing that stopping DOGE’s future access to the data is not enough to protect Americans. DOGE’s intrusion has already put millions at risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and doxxing. The court emphasized that the continued possession of unlawfully obtained data creates an ongoing threat that cannot be overlooked.

“Ironically, the identity of these DOGE affiliates has been concealed because defendants are concerned that the disclosure of even their names would expose them to harassment and thus invade their privacy. The defense does not appear to share a privacy concern for the millions of Americans whose SSA records were made available to the DOGE affiliates without their consent, and which contain sensitive, confidential, and personally identifiable information (“PII”),” the decision reads.

Democracy Forward, representing the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Alliance for Retired Americans, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), sued to stop DOGE’s unlawful mass data grab. The suit asserted that DOGE’s operations had no legal authority to root through confidential Social Security data, putting millions of Americans’ most sensitive information at risk. 

“This is a major win for working people and retirees across the country. The court saw that Elon Musk and his unqualified lackeys present a grave danger to Social Security and have illegally accessed the data of millions of Americans. This decision will not only force them to delete any data they have currently saved, but it will also block them from further sharing, accessing, or disclosing our Social Security information. AFSCME is proud to have led the case against this power grab that threatens the economic well-being of millions of seniors and people with disabilities. And we will continue to fight to protect Social Security for current and future generations,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders.

“We are grateful that the court took strong action to protect every American’s personal data,” said Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, a national grassroots advocacy organization. “Seniors must be able to trust the Social Security Administration will protect their personal information and keep it from falling into the wrong hands.”

“We’re encouraged that the Court took this important step to protect the personal and financial data of Americans,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Our members, particularly our retirees, have been rightfully concerned about having their private information stolen or exploited, all because an unelected billionaire decided to raid this sensitive data for his own means. No one filed for Social Security believing their personal assets would be appropriated by a billionaire who attacks social security as a “Ponzi scheme.” Americans must be allowed to retire with dignity and grace without having to worry about Elon Musk jeopardizing their savings.”

“Today, the court did what accountability demands–forcing DOGE to delete every trace of the data it unlawfully accessed, said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “The court recognized the real and immediate dangers of DOGE’s reckless actions and took action to stop it. This is important not only for the millions of Americans whose personal data was at risk. Our team will continue its legal efforts to ensure that this data remains protected and that those responsible are held accountable.”

This ruling is the first time a federal court has explicitly mandated that Musk and DOGE delete unlawfully obtained data. The court rejected the Trump administration’s attempts to justify its violation of the American people’s privacy under the guise of “efficiency,” making it clear that privacy laws that protect individuals’ personal and sensitive information are not optional laws. With this temporary restraining order now in place, DOGE must immediately comply with the court’s order to delete and return all data.  The case will continue as unions and retirees push for a permanent block on DOGE’s access to Social Security records.

The complaint can be found here, the motion for temporary restraining order can be found here, and the judge’s decision can be found here. 

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