President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Effectiveness, previously led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, is under investigation for a massive Social Security data breach, according to a whistleblower reviewed by The Washington Post. A former DOGE service engineer reportedly improperly accessed and attempted to transmit sensitive data after leaving government service.
The Washington Post further cited sources as saying that the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General has begun reviewing the allegations and has notified several congressional committees. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has also been informed.
Sensitive data on thumb drives
The former engineer, who worked for the Social Security Administration before joining the government contractor last October, claimed to have copies of highly restricted databases containing the personal information of millions of Americans, the indictment said.
The two databases named in the complaint are Numident and the Master Death File, two systems that contain records for more than 500 million living and deceased Americans. The records include Social Security numbers, birth information, citizenship status, race and ethnicity and parents’ names.
The engineer allegedly told co-workers that he had copied the data to a thumb drive and intended to transfer it to his personal computer so that he could “clean up” the information before the new company could use it, The Washington Post reported.
One colleague reportedly refused to help transfer the data due to legal concerns. The complaint also alleges that the engineer told co-workers that he believed he might receive a presidential pardon if the actions were deemed illegal.
The whistleblower said at least one of the conversations took place in early January.
Complaint filed
The complaint was filed with the Office of Inspector General on January 9 and updated on January 26. Investigators have reviewed the allegations, but officials said it was unclear whether the data was ever successfully transferred outside the agency.
SSA response
The Social Security Administration and the contractor involved initially said they were unaware of the complaint when contacted earlier this year. After conducting an internal review, the company said it found no evidence to support the allegations.
In a statement before the inspector general opened the investigation, SSA spokesman Barton Mackey said, “Based on the evidence and the investigation of all involved, the allegations made by a single anonymous source are false.”
Officials also said the engineer no longer had access to SSA systems and returned his government-issued laptop when he left the agency.
Concerns about data access
The accusations add to lawmakers’ concerns about how DOGE’s cost-cutting program handles sensitive government data as it gains influence at federal agencies.
Sources told The Washington Post that approximately a dozen DOGE staffers have been placed at Social Security headquarters since the Trump administration appointed Leland Dudek as acting commissioner in early 2025.
The DOGE team reportedly accessed multiple federal data systems during this period as part of an investigation into alleged fraud, including claims that Social Security benefits were issued to deceased individuals.
