Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and 14 other Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers from the Education Department about Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its access to sensitive student loan data.
The lack of transparency surrounding DOGE’s involvement in federal student aid systems has sparked privacy concerns and legal challenges.
Key Concerns Raised by Lawmakers:
- Did DOGE gain access to the National Student Loan Data System?
- Was personal borrower data shared with Musk’s team without consent?
- How is DOGE using student loan information in its AI-driven cost-cutting efforts?
The Education Department has provided little clarity, fueling speculation that DOGE may be using borrower data in ways that violate privacy laws.
Privacy Lawsuit Blocks DOGE from Accessing Student Loan Data
The controversy escalated after veterans and labor unions filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of violating the Privacy Act by sharing borrowers’ Social Security numbers and other sensitive information with DOGE.
Recent Legal Developments:
- A federal judge issued a restraining order on Monday blocking DOGE from accessing student loan data.
- The court ruled that the unions are likely to succeed in proving that the White House broke the law.
- Another lawsuit is challenging DOGE’s access to Social Security, Medicare, and federal contractor payment systems.
“There is a realistic danger that confidential financial information will be disclosed,” the judge wrote.
With lawsuits mounting, DOGE’s data practices are now under intense scrutiny.
How Did DOGE Gain Access to Student Loan Data?
According to a Feb. 6 report from The Washington Post, DOGE was feeding personally identifiable student loan data into artificial intelligence software to analyze spending within the Education Department.
Key Findings from the Report:
- Education officials were instructed to turn over borrower data to DOGE personnel.
- DOGE was using AI to analyze student aid spending, but its exact purpose remains unclear.
- One unnamed employee’s access to student loan systems was suddenly revoked, raising further questions.
The lack of transparency has only fueled suspicion, with Warren accusing the Education Department of being “evasive” about DOGE’s actions.
DOGE’s Data Controversy Extends Beyond Education
The student loan privacy lawsuit is just one of several legal battles over DOGE’s handling of sensitive government data.
Other Federal Systems DOGE Has Accessed:
- Social Security & Medicare payments – Trump’s Treasury Department is facing a lawsuit for allowing DOGE access to these systems.
- Federal contractor payments – Another lawsuit is challenging DOGE’s oversight of government disbursements.
Why This Matters:
- If DOGE is mishandling personal data, millions of Americans could be at risk.
- Legal rulings could limit or shut down DOGE’s ability to conduct AI-driven audits.
A federal judge has now extended an order blocking DOGE from accessing Treasury Department systems, further complicating Musk’s push for federal cost-cutting.
