Ex-Social Security official describes ‘significant’ risk of sensitive data going to wrong hands under DOGE
Tiffany Flick, a former Social Security official, detailed what she sees as a “significant” risk of sensitive government data heading into the wrong hands under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Flick, who worked at the Social Security Administration (SSA) for almost 30 years, outlined her concern in part of a federal lawsuit about the fraught takeover of the agency as DOGE officials seek to reduce federal spending.
She became acting chief of staff to the SSA’s acting commissioner in January before retiring a month later as DOGE officials new to the agency took on greater and greater roles and influence, pushing out the previous leader of the administration.
Her 13-page legal brief is the first in-depth public account from a government executive about how DOGE has gained access to sensitive information on its mission to decrease the workforce. Flick’s retelling was first reported by The Washington Post.
“I am not confident that DOGE associated have the requisite knowledge and training to prevent sensitive information from being inadvertently transferred to bad actors,” she said in the filing.
Flick highlighted the various payments that SSA oversees for nearly 72 million people across the country. She said through her career at SSA, they have prioritized protecting the sensitive data stored within the department and governed by numerous privacy laws.
She said she was first informed by Leland Dudek, a “mid-level employee,” about DOGE officials working at SSA on Jan. 30.
One of those DOGE employees, Mike Russo, spoke with senior SSA executives and told them to accept the Trump administration’s deferred resignation offer. Flick said she later only had limited knowledge to what Russo and DOGE officials were doing within the agency.
Flick accused Russo and DOGE of examining “untrue allegations” about payments that she deemed “invalid” based on an “inaccurate understanding” of the agency’s data and programs. She said they were never provided reasoning or evidence that inappropriate payments were being made, and Russo dismissed offers to meet for clarification.
She said Russo was meeting with other agencies, including the Treasury Department, Education Department and Department of Homeland Security, about data sharing.
“While data sharing with these agencies is normal, Mr. Russo’s lack of transparency with the Acting Commissioner about those conversations is not,” Flick wrote.
Russo and another official requested access to SSA’s systems and data, asking for “everything, including source code,” she wrote, noting that the agency would not typically provide such information to even its most skilled experts. After being granted access to some data, they then went to the Office of Management and Budget to override the process and gain access to more, Flick said.
She argued that the requests were contrary to the agency’s “long-standing privacy protection policies and regulations,” particularly since they could not show why they needed such expansive access to the data.
Dudek — who was placed on administrative leave on Feb. 14 amid an administrative investigation about inappropriate actions — was named acting commissioner of SSA days later by the White House, bypassing other senior executives, prompting Flick to retire.
Acting Commissioner Michelle King departed from the agency that weekend after refusing to provide DOGE with sensitive information. The White House then appointed Dudek to lead the agency while Frank Bisignano awaits Senate confirmation.
Upon her retirement, Flick said she was aware that DOGE officials were granted access to the information she and King sought to keep private. Those DOGE officials, she said, are working across departments and with people who have not been vetted by SSA’s privacy and security protocols.
“In such a chaotic environment, the risk of data leaking into the wrong hands is significant,” Flick wrote.
She highlighted that Social Security benefits and payments could not be paid out or be delayed, and she is not confident that critical errors would be avoided.
“SSA serves practically every American in this country. And the agency administers more than $1.5 trillion dollars of the American economy. And we understand the seriousness of our responsibility to the people of this country,” she concluded. “A disregard for our careful privacy systems and processes now threatens the security the data SSA houses about millions of Americans. The stakes are high.”
Topics
-
Unions ask court to stop DOGE from accessing Social Security data of millions of Americans
A group of labor unions asked a federal court for an emergency order to stop DOGE from accessing sensitive Social Security data.NBC News - 2d -
Why Social Security’s Future Could Be in DOGE’s Hands
Trump promised that Elon Musk’s DOGE wouldn’t touch Social Security. But DOGE is already making cuts to the agency.Inc. - 1d -
Social Security payments scrutinized by DOGE amid search for fraud
DOGE is sifting through Social Security payments in an anti-fraud effort that has some worried the administration could deny payments to vulnerable older Americans.ABC News - 6h -
Long Island Wildfire Is Under Control, Officials Say
The last of four blazes that began in Suffolk County on Saturday has been put out, but Long Island and the Hudson Valley still faced a high fire risk on Sunday, officials said.The New York Times - 1d -
CFPB official details DOGE ‘chaos’ in overtaking agency
A top official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) gave an inside account of the “chaos” and “confusion” that overtook the agency when the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ...The Hill - 1h -
DOGE Is Putting Major Government Efficiency Projects at Risk
In its apparent quest to cut government spending and improve efficiency, DOGE has fired entire tech teams devoted to those very things.Wired - 3d -
No DOGE, No Deal: A Battle Over Elon Musk’s Team Risks a Government Shutdown
The government is headed toward a shutdown unless a deal is reached by March 14. And disagreements over DOGE may be the biggest roadblock.Inc. - 2d -
Elon Musk’s DOGE Calls in U.S. Marshals When a Small Agency Refuses to Share Data
The U.S. African Development Foundation refused to let DOGE members into its offices. DOGE returned with law enforcement.Inc. - 3d -
Social Security's plan to get overpayments back
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced its plan to recover 100% of overpayments to beneficiaries. CBS News' Lindsey Reiser reports.CBS News - 1h
More from The Hill
-
Evening Report — Shutdown drama unfolds amid recession fears
Presented by National Council on Aging — Congress is rushing to pass a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. {beacon} Evening Report TRUMP FIRST 100 DAYS © Greg Nash Government ...The Hill - 37m -
Transportation secretary rescinds Biden memos prioritizing infrastructure resilience to climate change
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy rescinded memos from the Biden administration prioritizing infrastructure resilience to climate change, according to a Monday press release. According to the ...The Hill - 47m -
Trump Kennedy Center board appointee pitches Mideast franchise, Potomac marina
One of President Trump's first-term appointees to the board of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is floating big ideas to revamp the D.C. cultural mainstay, including a Jacqueline ...The Hill - 57m -
GOP lawmaker on Ontario electricity surcharge: 'It's only going to help Trump'
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said Monday that Ontario’s 25-percent surcharge on electricity exports to his state — announced in response to President Trump’s tariffs on Canada — will ...The Hill - 1h -
CFPB official details DOGE ‘chaos’ in overtaking agency
A top official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) gave an inside account of the “chaos” and “confusion” that overtook the agency when the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
Evening Report — Shutdown drama unfolds amid recession fears
Presented by National Council on Aging — Congress is rushing to pass a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. {beacon} Evening Report TRUMP FIRST 100 DAYS © Greg Nash Government ...The Hill - 37m -
‘A lot of repairs to be done’ in upcoming U.S.-Ukraine talks after contentious Oval Office meeting
NBC News Chief International Correspondent Keir Simmons reports from Saudi Arabia ahead of the meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Ukrainian delegation in Jeddah.NBC News - 38m -
Transportation secretary rescinds Biden memos prioritizing infrastructure resilience to climate change
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy rescinded memos from the Biden administration prioritizing infrastructure resilience to climate change, according to a Monday press release. According to the ...The Hill - 47m -
Trump Kennedy Center board appointee pitches Mideast franchise, Potomac marina
One of President Trump's first-term appointees to the board of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is floating big ideas to revamp the D.C. cultural mainstay, including a Jacqueline ...The Hill - 57m -
GOP lawmaker on Ontario electricity surcharge: 'It's only going to help Trump'
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said Monday that Ontario’s 25-percent surcharge on electricity exports to his state — announced in response to President Trump’s tariffs on Canada — will ...The Hill - 1h