Dog seeks entry to your tax and Social Security data, two legislations intended for securing your personal information.
The attempts by DOGE to obtain vast amounts of "personally identifiable information" (PII) from various federal agencies, including the IRS, Social Security Administration, and Treasury, have become a topic of numerous lawsuits. In fact, two judges have issued temporary restraining orders, prohibiting DOGE from accessing certain sensitive data.
The intentions and activities of DOGE within these agencies are largely shrouded in mystery. There is scant information available regarding the security vetting processes undertaken by DOGE members, including background checks and fingerprinting.
The legality of DOGE's actions is currently under scrutiny by the courts. The judicial process will evaluate whether DOGE's activities have violated any laws designed to safeguard individual's PII and secure federal systems. Primarily, these laws include the Privacy Act of 1974 and Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Privacy Act was created in response to the Vietnam War, when the FBI compiled dossiers on anti-war activists, and the Watergate scandal, where it was revealed that President Nixon wanted to misuse the IRS for personal gains. The act's main objective is to prevent misuse of information, ensure transparency, and ensure that federal agencies handle citizens' data responsibly. It mandates protection of data, strict security measures, and maintaining data accuracy, while also providing individuals with the right to review and amend their records.
Section 6103, introduced under the Tax Reform Act of 1976, limits the IRS's ability to share taxpayer information. Violating this section can carry both civil and criminal penalties. The IRS is authorized to share tax information under certain circumstances, such as with law enforcement agencies or the Social Security Administration.
DOGE's unauthorized access to such sensitive information poses significant legal risks, especially under the Privacy Act and Section 6103. Unauthorized access to classified or sensitive information could lead to legal challenges, particularly if proper authorization wasn't obtained.
The ACLU and lawmakers have emphasized the need for greater transparency and oversight, aiming to ensure that DOGE's actions comply with privacy laws and national security standards to safeguard the integrity of personal data.
The IRS, being subject to Section 61003, could potentially issue negligence penalties if DOGE compromises the privacy of individuals' tax information.DOGE's negligent compiling of federal agencies' data, particularly sensitive information like PII, could breach the principles established by the Privacy Act.In response to these concerns, there have been calls for stricter business practices and adherence to privacy laws, ensuring that DOGE operates with transparency and respects individuals' privacy rights.
