EFF Sues DOGE and the Office of Personnel Management

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/eff-sues-doge-and-office-personnel-management-halt-ransacking-federal-data

by coloneltcb • 1 year ago

74 16 1 year ago

eff.org

taeric2• 1 year ago

Hard not to find the news overwhelming at the moment. What is the best source to follow progress on efforts like this?

Similarly, is there a good source that contextualizes this in a way other than near unhinged?

torlok• 1 year ago

The justice system will be overwhelmed for years, so I don't think you'll see much progress. The current presidency reveals that, with a compliant Congress, the executive branch can execute whatever it wants. By the time the judicial system steps in, the damage will be done. The situation is unhinged with or without context.

taeric2• 1 year ago

This tracks my view. I'm genuinely curious on how folks are rationalizing this. I see more accidental sane washing than I'm comfortable with. Expecting there is flat out sane washing in some outlets?

fsflover• 1 year ago

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42949277

jalapenos• 1 year ago

They're clearly covered by the "need to know" exceptions of the Act, no?

snvzz• 1 year ago

Seems oddly politically motivated and out of character for EFF.

thrance4• 1 year ago

The data housed by OPM is extraordinarily sensitive for several reasons. The federal government is the nation’s largest employer, and OPM’s records are one of the largest, if not the largest, collection of employee data in the country. In addition to personally identifiable information such as names, social security numbers, and demographics, it includes work experience, union activities, salaries, performance, and demotions; health information like life insurance and health benefits; financial information like death benefit designations and savings programs; and classified information nondisclosure agreements. It holds records for millions of federal workers and millions more Americans who have applied for federal jobs.

DOGE has unlawful access to tremendous amounts of data on american citizens. Intervening to protect their privacy seems very much in line with the EFF's mission.

TheNightman• 1 year ago

Please pardon my ignorance but why is it unlawful for DOGE to be accessing this data? I was under the impression they had proper security clearance and were given lawful access by the president somehow.

slt20213• 1 year ago

DOGE has unlawful access

Citation required.

DOGE is part of the government, DOGE having access to data is no different from OPM employees having access to data - because they are part of the same executive branch

esbranson• 1 year ago

The core argument appears to be that DOGE is not a government agency, therefore the rest. Good luck!

The case is AFGE, AFL-CIO v. OPM, 1:25-cv-01237 (S.D.N.Y. 2025).[1]

[1] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69631573/american-feder...

EFF Sues DOGE and the Office of Personnel Management

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