Over the weekend, Elon Musk’s D.O.G.E gained access to a major federal payroll system, providing visibility into the personal and financial data of hundreds of thousands of government workers.
DOGE's Access to FPPS
Two anonymous sources told The New York Times that the DOGE team obtained administrative access to the Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS) on Saturday. This system is housed at the Interior Department and processes salary payments for employees in agencies such as the Justice Department, the Treasury Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Officials' Reactions and DOGE's Rationale
Senior IT officials at the Interior Department initially opposed DOGE’s request, arguing that the information, containing Social Security numbers and other sensitive details, is supposed to have stronger safeguards. However, objections were overridden, and at least two IT officials who resisted DOGE’s request were placed on administrative leave and are under investigation.
Consequences and Reactions
These developments have caused anxiety among longtime government employees, particularly those worried about data privacy and potential political retaliation in the hiring and firing process.
DOGE continues to push for access to federal databases, facing legal challenges. This situation raises new questions about data protection and privacy.
