EPIC Doubles Down on 'Data Breach' Claims Against DOGE
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed an amended complaint Tuesday renewing allegations that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is committing the "largest and most consequential data breach" through its access to private information at federal agencies.
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The amended complaint against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Treasury Department outlined EPIC's right to bring the suit, as well as alleged violations of the Privacy Act of 1974, the Fifth Amendment and the separation of powers.
"Plaintiffs have a constitutional right to the privacy of their information; Treasury and OPM Defendants have violated and continue to violate that right by unlawfully disclosing extremely personal information about Plaintiffs and millions of others to unchecked actors in violation of law," the suit said. "DOGE has made it clear their disregard for legal controls or restraints, and in light of their past willingness to disclose information publicly or use it for other unlawful purposes, their continued access to sensitive information presents a near certainty that they will continue to misuse that information."
The government agencies filed a motion to dismiss case 25-00255 on April 15 on the grounds that EPIC lacked standing to sue and failed to state a claim where relief can be granted (see 2504160035). The original suit, filed in February in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Virginia, said the sensitive personal information unlawfully accessed by DOGE includes social security numbers, taxpayer ID numbers and home addresses (see 2502110056).