Sacramento, California – In a significant victory for data privacy, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has successfully secured a preliminary injunction to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, from accessing sensitive personal data of millions of Americans.
The ruling was issued by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, marking a major step toward safeguarding the privacy of individuals across the country.
Why Was the Injunction Filed?
The legal action was initiated by Attorney General Bonta and backed by a coalition of 19 attorneys general. The lawsuit aims to prevent DOGE from accessing private information held by the U.S. Treasury Department, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account details
- Other sensitive financial data of millions of Americans
Bonta emphasized the importance of protecting Californians’ privacy and preventing what he sees as an overreach of federal authority under the Trump administration.
“We are pleased the court granted our request to halt DOGE from accessing millions of Americans’ private and sensitive data,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Californians can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the California Department of Justice is standing up for them.”
Background of the Legal Dispute
The conflict began on February 7, when the coalition of attorneys general filed a lawsuit after reports surfaced about DOGE receiving unprecedented access to Treasury Department payment systems. This access raised alarms over potential violations of:
- Personal privacy
- Financial security
- Government transparency
The U.S. Treasury Department, through the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS), processes trillions of dollars in payments for critical programs such as:
- Medicare
- Social Security benefits
- Healthcare
- Daycare subsidies
- Veterans’ benefits
Any unauthorized access to this sensitive information could jeopardize the privacy of millions of Americans and disrupt essential government services.
What Does the Court Ruling Mean?
The preliminary injunction acts as a temporary block that prevents DOGE from accessing Treasury data while the legal case is ongoing. This ruling follows a temporary restraining order imposed just hours after the lawsuit was initially filed.
The legal challenge claims that:
- The Trump administration overstepped its constitutional authority
- DOGE and its members, including special government employees and political appointees, do not have the legal right to access this sensitive data
Attorney General Bonta and his team have vowed to continue monitoring the situation to ensure Americans’ data remains protected from unauthorized access.
What’s Next in the Fight for Data Privacy?
While this preliminary injunction offers temporary protection, the broader legal battle over government overreach and data privacy is far from over. The court’s decision signals a shift toward holding government agencies accountable for respecting privacy laws and adhering to constitutional limits.
Attorney General Bonta’s office has confirmed their intention to:
- Closely monitor the case
- Take further legal action if necessary to protect the public’s personal data
- Ensure transparency and government accountability throughout the legal process
