In a major legal setback for Elon Musk, a federal judge has ruled against his attempt to access vast amounts of personal data from three key federal agencies. The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, blocks the Department of Education, the Department of the Treasury, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from handing over sensitive personal information tied to a massive lawsuit.
Privacy Act of 1974 Shields Millions from Data Breach
Judge Boardman’s decision is rooted in the Privacy Act of 1974, a law designed to prevent unauthorized government disclosure of citizens’ private data. She emphasized that Musk’s attempts to exploit DOGE to gain access to this information likely violated federal law.
“No matter how important or urgent the President’s DOGE agenda may be, federal agencies must execute it in accordance with the law. That likely did not happen in this case,” Boardman wrote.
The lawsuit, which initially involved six individuals, has now ballooned to nearly 2 million plaintiffs, including veterans, federal employees, and student loan applicants whose data was at risk.
Unions and Lawsuit Plaintiffs Fight Back
The plaintiffs, along with five major labor unions, have accused the federal agencies of “abandoning their duties as guardians and gatekeepers” of personal information. They argue that Musk and his allies are attempting to siphon private data for their own financial and political gain.
Elon Musk’s Ongoing Legal Battles
Musk, a staunch ally of the MAGA movement, has faced increasing legal challenges over his influence in government affairs and attempts to reshape federal policies. Critics argue that his access to federal data systems poses a severe risk to personal privacy and national security.
What’s Next? Calls to Shut Down DOGE Grow Louder
While this ruling represents a significant victory for privacy advocates, many argue that it doesn’t go far enough. Some are calling for DOGE to be shut down entirely and for Musk to be removed from any government-related decision-making.
As Musk’s legal troubles mount, one thing is clear: this fight is far from over.
