A whistleblower claims a former DOGE software employee copied millions of Social Security data to a thumb drive and maintained ongoing high-level access to sensitive SSA data while at a new employer.

The individual allegedly stole two restricted SSA databases, Numident and the Master Death File, and stored them on a thumb drive, linking the breach to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

The Social Security Administration’s internal watchdog is examining the whistleblower complaint, focusing on potential misuse of sensitive SSA data by a former DOGE software employee.

The probe began after anonymous complaints to the SSA inspector general and was subsequently shared with four congressional committees.

The whistleblower also claimed the ex-employee expected a presidential pardon if the actions were illegal.

If confirmed, the breach would rank among the largest data breaches in U.S. history and could be weaponized for political gain, according to lawmakers.

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member called for a full public accounting of the allegations given their potential scale.

The DOGE organization was officially disbanded in late 2025, though questions remain about whether its influence persists under its nominal dissolution.

A six-month congressional investigation previously warned DOGE’s data handling posed high risks, potentially forcing a nationwide reissuing of numbers for all Americans with Social Security numbers.

In January, the Trump administration acknowledged in court that DOGE workers had unauthorized SSA data access, shared data via an unapproved third-party service, and engaged in activities beyond SSA’s mission, including a voter data agreement with a political group; litigation is ongoing.

Last August, the SSA’s chief data officer disclosed that over 300 million Americans’ data were at risk after DOGE officials uploaded sensitive information to an unmonitored cloud account.

TechCrunch notes DOGE involvement at SSA after 2021, with at least a dozen DOGE employees reportedly working at the agency, though roles were not fully disclosed to staff.