The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit overturned a lower court's injunction, allowing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access personal information of millions from educational and personnel records. Established by President Trump, DOGE aims to improve governmental efficiency and productivity by accessing unclassified records across federal agencies. Despite the legal challenges from unions and veterans groups concerned about privacy, the court's ruling permits continued access to sensitive data held by the Department of Education and Office of Personnel Management, though other departments like Treasury remain barred from disclosing records.
"DOGE affiliates have been granted access to systems of record that contain some of the plaintiffs' most sensitive data - Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, income and assets, citizenship status, and disability status, and their access to this trove of personal information is ongoing."
"President Trump established DOGE via executive order and directed federal agencies to provide the new department with access to 'all unclassified agency records, software systems, and IT systems' as part of its efforts to 'maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.'"
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