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The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has initiated an audit of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), focusing on its data handling practices across multiple federal agencies.
Broad Scope of the DOGE Audit
According to sources and documents reviewed, the audit, underway since March, examines DOGE’s data management within key departments. This includes Labor, Education, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, the Treasury, and the Social Security Administration, as well as the US DOGE Service (USDS) itself. The GAO is seeking extensive information, including incident reports related to potential misuse of agency systems or data, and documentation of policies and procedures concerning systems accessed by DOGE operatives.
Concerns Over DOGE’s Influence
Over recent months, DOGE operatives, many with ties to Musk’s companies, have been integrated into various federal agencies. This has raised concerns about access to sensitive data, from Treasury payment systems to tax records, and the potential consolidation of disparate data systems.
While Democratic officials have voiced apprehension regarding DOGE’s activities, this audit signifies a notable step toward accountability and oversight.
GAO’s Objectives and Timeline
The GAO’s review, expected to conclude by the end of spring, will culminate in a publicly available report. A GAO spokesperson stated that the agency is determining the full scope and methodology of the audit before providing further details.
The audit’s primary focus is DOGE’s adherence to privacy and data protection laws. Specifically, the GAO will conduct a detailed review of every system DOGE has accessed within the examined agencies.
DOL’s Cooperation and Concerns
Notes detail the interaction between the GAO examiners and DOL representatives and show the agencies sharing records of system privileges provided to DOGE affiliates including “any modifications to the accounts,” as well as audit logs showing their activity.
DOL officials were also asked to prepare for an in-person meeting at which GAO officials could observe the security settings on laptops the agency had provided to DOGE operatives and review all the systems that track DOGE’s work at DOL, including a data loss prevention tool and systems used to track cybersecurity and privacy incidents.
Internal notes from a March 18 meeting reveal that DOL has, so far, restricted DOGE to “read access” only, preventing them from directly altering systems. DOGE’s primary interests appear to be in pay systems and grants.
Congressional Scrutiny and Data Protection
Concerns regarding DOGE’s access to agency systems are not new. Previous reports have highlighted instances of DOGE operatives gaining extensive access, raising fears of potential system manipulation.
The GAO audit stems from requests by congressional leaders. Representatives Bobby Scott and Richard Neal have urged investigations into DOGE’s activities, emphasizing the need to protect Americans’ personal information entrusted to the government.
Representative Neal stated that the Government Accountability Office is working to shed much-needed light on their access to and use of personal and confidential information. He said that accountability measures across the government are so important.
A congressional aide emphasized the principle that data should be protected from unauthorized access and potential misuse. Reports of untrained individuals accessing and potentially altering databases have raised alarms.