AFSCME’s fight to protect our Social Security data from Elon Musk posts another win

Our union’s fight to protect our personal, sensitive Social Security data from falling into Elon Musk’s hands notched a significant victory last week.

A federal court on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction blocking Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) from further accessing data stored within the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) systems.

The ruling comes in response to a motion filed by AFSCME, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the Alliance for Retired Americans, all represented by Democracy Forward.

The ruling provides significant relief and is essential in halting DOGE's unlawful and dangerous overreach. The court recognized that Musk’s operatives’ unprecedented access to private Social Security data — ranging from immigration records to health and financial information — violated critical privacy protections and would cause irreparable harm.

“This decision sends a clear message to Elon Musk and his DOGE minions to keep their hands off Social Security,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “This regime of billionaires is wreaking havoc on the Social Security Administration — rolling out plans to cut services, sowing confusion, disregarding court orders and then denying how their actions will hurt those most vulnerable. We won’t stand for it.”

As the court was hearing the argument on Tuesday, AFSCME members and retirees gathered outside the courthouse in Baltimore to make their voices heard.

Diana Lyles, a member of Maryland AFSCME Retirees Chapter 1, said, “We’re fighting to keep [Musk’s] hands off our Social Security. Elon Musk needs to mind his business and keep his nose out of our checks. I’m here to make sure Social Security is stable so that everyone who’s entitled to these benefits can get them.”

The preliminary injunction halts DOGE personnel from accessing SSA data without complying with certain legal requirements while the broader lawsuit moves forward. AFSCME and other plaintiffs argue that DOGE’s access violates the Privacy Act, the Social Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

 This decision follows a first-of-its-kind order requiring Musk and DOGE to “disgorge” and “delete” any personal data. It also highlights that DOGE affiliates have been concerned that the disclosure of even their names would expose them to harassment and thus invade their privacy.

However, DOGE does not appear to share a privacy concern for the millions of people whose SSA records were made available to its affiliates without their consent.