The article discusses the ongoing impact of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk, particularly its approach to handling sensitive data within the US government. The DOGE initiative has sought access to vast repositories of government data while undergoing internal restructuring. A recent focus has been on the IRS, where DOGE associates collaborated with Palantir to develop a 'mega API' that could potentially allow unprecedented access to personal data. This raises alarms regarding data privacy and the possible misuse of information.
Few if any entities in the world have as much access to as much sensitive data as the United States. From the start, DOGE has wanted as much of it as it could grab, and through a series of resignations, firings, and court cases, has mostly gotten its way.
In theory, an API for all IRS data would make it possible for any agency-or any outside party with the right permissions, for that matter-to access the most personal, and valuable, data the US government holds about its citizens.
But recent reporting from WIRED and elsewhere begins to fill in the picture: For DOGE, data is a tool. It's also a weapon.
It's even enough to make you forget about Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency for a while. You shouldn't.
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