{"id":1768,"date":"2025-03-19T18:24:28","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T22:24:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/singh\/?p=1768"},"modified":"2025-03-19T18:24:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T22:24:29","slug":"michiganders-personal-information","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/singh\/2025\/03\/19\/michiganders-personal-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Experts Raise Alarm on DOGE Attempts to Access Michiganders\u2019 Personal Information"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Cybersecurity experts share potential impacts and implications of Trump administration\u2019s access to highly sensitive data
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<\/i>LANSING, Mich. (March 19, 2025) \u2014 Today, the Senate Oversight Committee, chaired by Sen. Sam Singh<\/b> (D-East Lansing), heard from state officials, faculty leadership, and experts well-versed in cybersecurity and data systems issues. These testifiers shared about the federal Dept. of Government Efficiency\u2019s (DOGE) unfettered access to protected personal, financial, and health information, the impact and potential implications of that access, and what the state and individuals can do to protect themselves from any repercussions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely unacceptable that the personal data of Michigan residents and folks nationwide are at risk of being compromised under the guise of \u2018government efficiency\u2019 and \u2018combating fraud\u2019 when all we\u2019re continuing to see is just more chaos, confusion, and fear stoked by the Trump administration,\u201d said Sen. Singh<\/b>. \u201cWe need assurances from the White House and Congress that our personal, financial and health data is protected at all levels. I\u2019m appreciative of those who came out to testify today, helping us understand the potential risks of DOGE\u2019s irresponsible actions while also providing tools for how Michiganders can be prepared and protected in the days ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without any congressional authorization or funding, DOGE was established by executive order on January 20, 2025. Soon after, the public became aware that they had gained unprecedented access to many U.S. government departments and their IT systems, including agencies responsible for managing data on millions of federal employees and a system that handles $6 trillion in payments to Americans. From detailed financial data housed in the Internal Revenue Service system to medical diagnoses held by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, DOGE\u2019s access \u2014 and uncertainty around that access \u2014 to complex databases storing millions of Americans\u2019 private information has sparked alarm among government officials, cybersecurity experts and residents around the country.<\/p>\n

In response to messages from concerned Michiganders, today\u2019s testifiers helped unpack and address the various cybersecurity issues raised by the Trump administration\u2019s invasion of this information. One of those testifiers, Hilary Allen<\/b>, Law Professor at American University in Washington, D.C., spoke to the complexities inherent in the federal government\u2019s software systems and potential risks that could result from DOGE interfering with those systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cDOGE employees\u2019 access to banking, personal, financial and health data raises significant privacy concerns and identity theft risks,\u201d said Professor Allen<\/b>. \u201cThere is well-founded danger in meddling with complex government software, including the Treasury Department\u2019s payment systems that millions of Americans rely on to receive crucial social security, housing, or Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Changes to the code may inadvertently introduce security vulnerabilities that bad actors can exploit. Many of the \u2018inefficiencies\u2019 DOGE seeks to root out are in fact protections for the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Professor Allen <\/b>noted that there was little individuals could do to protect themselves if payments were disrupted or data compromised, but suggested that it would be prudent to increase savings if possible, have some cash set aside, keep screen shots of balances in government accounts, and be alert for any signs of identity theft.<\/p>\n

Chief Security Officer for the Michigan Dept. of Technology, Management, and Budget, Jayson Cavendish<\/b>, also shared testimony, speaking to what Michigan is doing at the state level to protect data; tools for individuals to protect their data; and where they\u2019re seeing cyberattacks originate and how the state is responding.<\/p>\n

Kendell Joseph<\/b>, software engineering expert, provided a grounding on the intersections of AI and server security. He spoke to the incredible amount of risk and potential loss of data involved if individuals \u2014 without experience or properly vetted clearance mechanisms \u2014 acquire access to these highly complex data servers, such as those used by the federal government.<\/p>\n

This hearing is one of several that Michigan Senate Democrats are holding to investigate the ramifications of recent decisions by the Trump administration on people and communities across Michigan. A recording of today\u2019s hearing can be found <\/b>here<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/span>.<\/b>\u00a0<\/div>\n

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Cybersecurity experts share potential impacts and implications of Trump administration\u2019s access to highly sensitive data LANSING, Mich. (March 19, 2025) \u2014 Today, the Senate Oversight Committee, chaired by Sen. 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