In a recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in Greenbelt, Maryland, has temporarily prohibited the Department of Education and the Office of Personnel Management from sharing individuals’ personal information with entities affiliated with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The judge found that the disclosure of sensitive data, such as bank account details and Social Security numbers, without consent likely violated the Privacy Act. This decision followed a temporary restraining order requested by unions and organizations representing current and former federal employees.
Judge Boardman emphasized that the order does not impede President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing policies but aims to prevent the unauthorized sharing of personal information that could be used to construct detailed profiles of the plaintiffs’ personal, professional, and financial lives. The lawsuit’s plaintiffs, including prominent groups like the American Federation of Teachers and the National Active Retired Federal Employees Association, welcomed the ruling as a crucial step in safeguarding individuals’ privacy rights.
The legal action stemmed from concerns regarding Musk’s involvement in restructuring the federal government and his contentious directive for federal employees to justify their work or face dismissal, which led to accusations of legal transgressions. Despite Trump’s endorsement of Musk’s efforts to combat misconduct within the government, the court’s intervention underscores the importance of upholding privacy standards and preventing unauthorized data usage for purposes beyond its original intent.
