Unions Sue Over Alleged Privacy Act Violations by Musk's Team

Privacy Act Violations Alleged as Federal Data Accessed Without Authorization

WASHINGTON—A group of labor unions, representing over two million workers, has submitted a federal lawsuit against alleged unauthorized data access by employees linked to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. This breach reportedly occurred within three federal departments.

Joining the legal challenge are six individuals affected by the data breach, alongside organizations such as the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE). Legal representation is provided by Protect Democracy and Munger, Tolles & Olson.

The lawsuit, filed in the District Court of Maryland, accuses the Department of Education, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Treasury of improperly granting access to sensitive information to unvetted DOGE personnel, contravening the Privacy Act. Among the unauthorized individuals is a 19-year-old previously known for leaking proprietary data.

The Privacy Act outlines strict regulations on the sharing of individual records, making unauthorized disclosures illegal.

The legal document states, “Steamrolling into sensitive government record systems has led to a massive data breach that threatens to upend how these critical systems are maintained and seriously compromises the safety and security of personal identifying information for Americans all across the country. It also violates federal law.”

The plaintiffs consist of veterans, federal employees, and educators whose personal data, including employment files and student loan information, is at risk. The lawsuit claims that the trust between the public and federal agencies has been compromised.

The Education Department manages data for 43 million student borrowers, while Treasury holds records for citizens receiving tax refunds or federal payments. OPM maintains sensitive data for 2.3 million federal employees.

The plaintiffs seek immediate legal intervention to enforce compliance with the Privacy Act, demanding the cessation of data access by DOGE staff and the destruction of any data already acquired.

Established post-Watergate, the Privacy Act was designed to restore public trust and safeguard democracy.

AFT President Randi Weingarten stated, “Elon Musk and his minions are stealing Americans’ private personal and financial data in one of the biggest data hacks in U.S. history,” expressing concerns over Musk’s access to government data systems.

William “Bill” Shackelford, NARFE National President, emphasized the importance of legal protections for federal data, stating, “Without legal guardrails in place to prevent improper use of such data, we risk disclosure to nefarious actors, and abuse by individuals within the government itself, threatening personal liberty and property.”

IAM Union International President Brian Bryant remarked, “Government agencies are not private entities that billionaires can simply buy and rummage through,” highlighting the need for democratic oversight.

Kristy Parker of Protect Democracy commented, “We're watching in real time as Trump’s cronies break the law to get access to Americans’ most sensitive and personal data,” suggesting the misuse of data for personal gain.

The complete legal complaint can be read here.