A former high-ranking official at the Social Security Administration (SSA) has described what she calls a “hostile takeover” by Elon Musk’s team, accusing them of putting sensitive taxpayer data at risk without offering a clear reason for needing access to it. Tiffany Flick, who served as the SSA’s acting chief of staff, detailed the aggressive actions of Musk’s team in a recent lawsuit, claiming their actions amounted to “a de facto coup” of the agency.
Flick’s statements, which are part of a federal lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward, shed light on the tense and rapid takeover of SSA by members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative led by Musk. The Washington Post reported that DOGE’s actions disrupted SSA’s operations and potentially exposed highly sensitive personal information about millions of Americans. According to Flick, the team barged into SSA, demanding access to taxpayer data and bypassing the usual procedures for handling such information.
“They came in aggressively, demanding access to sensitive taxpayer data and refusing briefings on how we ensure the accuracy of our benefit systems,” Flick said, according to The Washington Post. The data, which includes information on Social Security recipients, is protected by law, and unauthorized access could have serious consequences.
One of Flick’s major concerns was the lack of transparency and disregard for security procedures. She feared that the new leadership brought in by DOGE, many of whom had no government experience, would compromise the SSA’s ability to pay benefits to millions of Americans. “I witnessed a disregard for critical processes… That combined with the significant loss of expertise as more and more agency personnel leave, have me seriously concerned that SSA programs will continue to function and operate without disruption,” she wrote in her declaration. “The stakes are high,” she added, warning that this could result in delays or even missed benefit payments.
Flick, a 30-year veteran of the SSA, was particularly alarmed by the actions of Mike Russo, a private-sector technology expert brought in by DOGE, and Akash Bobba, a software engineer with questionable credentials who was rushed onto the SSA team. Despite concerns from career SSA officials, Russo and Bobba were granted access to sensitive systems and databases. “I did not understand the apparent urgency with which Mr. Bobba needed to be onboarded and given access to SSA’s systems and data,” Flick explained.
The rushed handling of sensitive data raised alarms within the SSA. Flick and other career officials were particularly worried that the data could fall into the wrong hands or be used improperly. “I am not confident that DOGE associates have the requisite knowledge and training to prevent sensitive information from being inadvertently transferred to bad actors,” Flick wrote. She warned that the push for faster access to data and the lack of experience among those handling it could lead to significant leaks of personal information.
Musk’s team has been accused of undermining established processes designed to protect personal data. The SSA, which oversees the Social Security program for millions of Americans, has strict protocols about who can access sensitive data and how it can be used. Flick described how DOGE representatives bypassed the usual approval process and began seeking access to entire databases, including information about people’s work history, financial details, and personal status.
The controversy around DOGE’s involvement at the SSA is part of a broader effort to streamline and reduce the size of the federal government, an initiative championed by Musk and backed by President Donald Trump. However, the push to cut costs and reduce the workforce at the SSA has sparked concerns that vital programs could be disrupted. Flick’s declaration serves as a warning that the focus on cost-cutting may come at the expense of the agency’s ability to serve the public, particularly when it comes to managing sensitive data.
In the midst of the turmoil, Flick and other career SSA leaders were pushed out, and new political appointees were brought in, raising further concerns about the future of the agency. As the situation unfolded, it became clear that the people now in charge of the SSA, like Leland Dudek, a data analyst with no previous experience in managing the agency, were being influenced by DOGE officials rather than career staff.
The legal battle is still ongoing, but Flick’s testimony paints a troubling picture of how Elon Musk’s team has aggressively pushed to access personal data and implement a plan to overhaul the SSA. With millions of Americans relying on the Social Security system, the outcome of this case could have lasting implications for how personal data is handled and protected in the future.
The full details of the case, including further allegations of improper access to sensitive data, can be found in the original article from The Washington Post.
