A formal investigation has been launched into allegations that a former technology employee linked to the US government’s cost-cutting initiative, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), may have attempted to access and move highly sensitive Social Security data outside the agency.
The inquiry is being conducted by the inspector general of the Social Security Administration (SSA) after a whistleblower complaint raised concerns about possible misuse of government databases containing personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans. Lawmakers on several congressional committees have been informed about the matter, and the Government Accountability Office has also been notified as part of its ongoing review of DOGE’s data access.
The complaint claims that the former software engineer, who previously worked inside the SSA and later joined a government contractor, told colleagues that he possessed copies of two restricted databases known as Numident and the Master Death File. These systems store extensive records of more than 500 million people, including Social Security numbers, birth details, citizenship information and family data.
According to the disclosure, the individual allegedly said he had stored at least one database on a thumb drive and sought help transferring the files to a personal computer. The stated intention was to remove identifying details before using the dataset for work at his new employer. One colleague reportedly refused to assist because of legal concerns.
The complaint does not confirm whether any transfer of data actually took place. Both the company and the SSA have stated that internal reviews did not find evidence supporting the claims. The former employee has also denied wrongdoing through legal representation.
The allegations have intensified scrutiny of DOGE’s activities within federal agencies. The initiative, launched during the Trump administration to identify waste and inefficiencies, deployed technology specialists across departments to analyse large government datasets. Critics have argued that the rapid access to sensitive information created potential risks to data privacy and security.
