1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

The presence of unelected representatives from Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) seeking unfettered access to sensitive personal data held by federal agencies is deeply concerning. This vast trove of information includes medical records, financial details, and tax returns pertaining to millions of Americans. Career civil servants have rightly sounded the alarm, as the improper disclosure of such data could violate federal laws designed to protect citizens' privacy. Musk's representatives are not bound by the same stringent safeguards and oversight mechanisms that government employees must follow when handling personal information. Granting them unrestricted access raises the risk of misuse or exploitation of this data for purposes other than rooting out fraudulent spending, as DOGE claims. The dismissal of high-ranking officials who sought to uphold established protocols further exacerbates these fears. The government must exercise extreme caution and maintain robust protections for the personal information it holds. Taxpayer data should only be accessed through proper legal channels and with strict controls in place, not handed over to private entities without public accountability. Upholding citizens' privacy rights and earning their trust should be paramount considerations. Comprehensive safeguards and transparency regarding DOGE's activities and data access are imperative to assuage widespread concerns.