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Lawmakers Issue Caution: Potential DOGE-Related Activities May Impact Social Security Payments

"Senator Elizabeth Warren voices concerns over DOGE's hasty IT system upgrades for SSA, stating it jeopardizes personal data, introduces security loopholes, and potentially leads to drastic reductions in benefits."

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"Senator Elizabeth Warren voices concerns over potential privacy violations, system...
"Senator Elizabeth Warren voices concerns over potential privacy violations, system vulnerabilities, and drastic reductions in benefits due to DOGE's hasty IT system upgrades at the Social Security Administration."

Let's Talk Straight Up:

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden are giving SSA commissioner Frank Bisignano a piece of their minds over potential issues with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). They're worried DOGE's hasty tech upgrades could screw up Social Security benefits or lead to massive data losses. This nightmare scenario was previously discussed when our site reported back in March that DOGE planned to revamp SSA's tech in a matter of months, which experts warned could lead to a total system collapse.

So, what's Warren got to say about it? "DOGE is playing with fire and people’s livelihoods are on the line," she told our site. "A reckless, rushed IT upgrade puts people's privacy at risk, leaves gaping security holes, and could end in catastrophic cuts to all benefits. If this DOGE mess goes south, it'll be millions of Americans who suffer."

Since DOGE took over SSA back in early 2021, the agency's site's been crashing left and right, making it a hassle for beneficiaries to access their info. Some outages can last a matter of minutes, and others stretch on for an entire day, according to news from The Washington Post in April. SSA's proposed plans to shrink its workforce by 12% (or around 7,000 jobs) aren't helping either. In a chat with The Wall Street Journal, Bisignano outlined a vision for SSA as a "digital-first" agency, leaning heavy on AI.

Warren isn't buying DOGE's approach. "Hackers wreaking havoc on Social Security's back-end tech with no safeguards is a recipe for disaster, not an overhaul of the agency's digital infrastructure," she told our site.

But the senators haven't given up hope. In their letter to Bisignano, they praised the idea of upgrading IT as a commendable goal but insisted on thorough testing and safety measures to make it happen. They asked for details regarding DOGE's role in the tech upgrade, changes made to databases and systems, and any information related to potential hacks or data leaks. Bisignano's got till June 17 to respond.

A former senior SSA technologist working in the office of the chief information officer told our site back in March, "The leaders have to understand that they're dealing with a house of cards or Jenga. If they start pulling pieces out, which they've already stated they're doing, things can break."

Wanna Share a Tip?

Are you a current or former government employee who's got the inside scoop on what's really going down? We'd love to hear from you. Contact the reporter using Signal on your non-work phone or computer at makenakelly.32.

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From the Politics Lab Newsletter by Makena Kelly

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Are you a current or former government employee who wants to talk about what's happening? We'd like to hear from you. Using a nonwork phone or computer, contact the reporter securely on Signal at makenakelly.32.

Insight Bits:

  • DOGE's Impact on SSA: Democratic senators are concerned about the potential implications of the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) intervention in the Social Security Administration (SSA) technology infrastructure.
  • Ongoing Concerns: Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden have expressed concerns about DOGE's actions beyond the SSA incident, typically involving conflicts of interest and unethical practices.
  • Alleged True Intent: There are unproven claims that DOGE's real motives may not be about improving efficiency but rather causing harm or chaos within federal agencies.
  1. Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stating that a reckless, rushed IT upgrade could compromise security, create security holes, and lead to catastrophic cuts to benefits, potentially affecting millions of Americans.
  2. The senators are insisting on thorough testing and safety measures for the proposed SSA tech upgrade, and have requested details about DOGE's role, changes made to databases and systems, and any information related to potential hacks or data leaks.
  3. In light of ongoing issues at the SSA, including frequent site crashes and proposed workforce reductions, there are concerns about the agency's transition to a "digital-first" model, which relies heavily on AI.
  4. Experts warn that hasty tech upgrades, specifically the revamp of SSA's tech system in a matter of months, could lead to a total system collapse, as previously reported.
  5. There is a call for current or former government employees with inside information about what's really going on within federal agencies to come forward, contacting the reporter using Signal for a secure conversation.
  6. This discussion about DOGE's actions and the potential impact on the SSA underscores the importance of cybersecurity, especially in the context of policy-and-legislation, technology, and politics.
  7. News reports and discussions around this issue highlight the need for general-news outlets and investigative journalism to provide access to accurate information and hold those in power accountable for their actions.

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