In a major legal development in June 2025, the Supreme Court permitted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access Social Security Administration (SSA) systems holding sensitive data on millions of Americans.
This decision temporarily lifts a lower court injunction, igniting concerns about privacy, oversight, and the power of an office not created by Congress.
Legal Journey to DOGE’s Data Access
Preliminary Injunction and Appeals
Initially, in April, a federal district court in Maryland barred SSA from granting DOGE personnel access to private records, citing likely violations of the Privacy Act. Access was allowed only to anonymized information under strict conditions such as background screening.
The Fourth Circuit declined to lift that injunction. The Trump administration then appealed to the Supreme Court for emergency relief.
Supreme Court Ruling
On June 6, 2025, the Supreme Court, in an unsigned decision, granted an emergency stay, enabling DOGE representatives to gain access to non-anonymized SSA records—including Social Security numbers, medical files, financial details, and more—while the legal process continues.
Justices Kagan, Sotomayor, and Jackson dissented, warning of “grave privacy risks” and cautioning against bypassing legal safeguards.
The ruling was seen as a controversial win for the Trump-era DOGE initiative, which had previously faced criticism for opacity and overreach.
Follow-up Proceedings
Subsequently, the Fourth Circuit Appeals Court ruled on August 12, 2025, that DOGE may also access personal data from other federal agencies such as the Department of Education, Treasury, and Office of Personnel ManagementSupreme Court—citing the Supreme Court’s reasoning in allowing SSA access.
Who Is DOGE and What Are Its Objectives?
Formally established on January 20, 2025, DOGE is a cross-departmental initiative formed by the second Trump administration, operating under the Executive Office of the President with a budget of approximately $40 million.
Its mandate includes modernizing federal IT, cutting red tape, and improving efficiency and cost savings across agencies. DOGE has been linked to mass layoffs, contract cancellations, and aggressive restructuring of service delivery.
Within the SSA, DOGE has sought expansive access to data systems containing personal identifiers, financial records, medical history, and more.
Some SSA leadership changes and resignations have been linked to resistance against DOGE’s access demands.
Why It Matters: Privacy, Governance, and Transparency
The rulings have renewed debates about the delicate balance between federal efficiency efforts and individual privacy rights.
Critics argue that overriding data protections—even temporarily—could set a precedent for unchecked executive power.
There are also growing concerns that DOGE’s access lacks proper transparency and oversight, as legal watchdogs have questioned the program’s accountability.
Furthermore, DOGE’s broader reporting of cost savings has been challenged. Investigations reveal that DOGE may have inflated its impact, citing contract “ceiling values” rather than actual financial reductions—calling into question the exercise’s fiscal credibility.
The Supreme Court’s decision to grant DOGE access to SSA personal data marks a turning point in federal privacy jurisprudence.
While framed as a necessary step for modernizing government systems and rooting out fraud, the ruling raises serious questions about privacy protection, institutional transparency, and the limits of executive authority.
As the case goes back through lower courts, the outcome will shape not only the mission of DOGE but also the broader principles of data governance and citizens’ rights in the digital age.