Trump’s DOGE program expands data access following appeals court ruling

In a landmark ruling highlighting the ongoing tension between government oversight and personal privacy, the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has sided with President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.The court granted DOGE access to sensitive information held by federal agencies, including the US Departments of Education and Treasury, as well as the Office of Personnel Management.Established during Trump’s administration and once headed by Elon Musk, DOGE’s mission is to eliminate bureaucratic waste and boost efficiency across federal departments. Although it is not a formal government agency, DOGE’s influence has been evident through aggressive budget cuts and reforms, which have triggered multiple legal challenges.According to Reuters, the court determined that the unions and military veterans opposing DOGE’s access to data likely lack the legal standing to bring suit and have failed to prove any harm, enabling DOGE to continue pursuing its objectives..This decision comes amid a series of legal disputes over DOGE’s authority to access private and sensitive information.In June 2025, the US Supreme Court upheld DOGE’s right to access records from the Social Security Administration despite strong objections from privacy advocates.The Supreme Court declined to block DOGE’s access to agency computer systems and data — including Social Security numbers and citizenship status — while the case is ongoing.This ruling overturned a temporary injunction previously issued by a federal judge in Maryland, which had been paused by the appeals court in April.As reported by The Guardian, privacy groups have raised alarms about the “potential risks to Americans’ personal information” following the Supreme Court’s ruling.Although the majority ruled two to one in favour of DOGE, one dissenting judge warned that unfettered access to sensitive data could jeopardize privacy rights and called for a temporary halt on data access while legal battles continue.

Trump’s DOGE program expands data access following appeals court ruling

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