Gizem Nisa Cebi Demir
March 11, 2026•Update: March 11, 2026
ISTANBUL
The Social Security Administration (SSA)’s inspector general is investigating allegations that a former member of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) improperly handled highly sensitive Social Security data, according to a whistleblower complaint.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that an anonymous complaint filed in January alleges a former DOGE software engineer claimed he possessed copies of restricted agency databases, including Numident and the Master Death File, which contain records on more than 500 million Americans, and had at least one stored on a thumb drive.
According to the disclosure reviewed by The Post, the engineer allegedly sought assistance transferring the data “to his personal computer so that he could ‘sanitize’ the data before using it at [the company.]” The complaint does not allege that the data was successfully uploaded to any company system.
The inspector general notified congressional committees and shared the allegation with the Government Accountability Office, which is auditing DOGE’s access to federal data.
“Not only has an ex-DOGE bro been accused of running around with the Social Security information of every American on a flash drive, he also may have the ability to edit and manipulate data at the Social Security Administration at will,” said Robert Garcia.
“This is dangerous and outrageous, and Oversight Committee Democrats will fight for transparency and accountability.”
SSA spokesman Barton Mackey previously said “the allegation by a singular anonymous source has been found to be false based on evidence and investigations by all involved.”
