whistleblower issues explosive
A top Social Security official has sounded the alarm about serious security problems that could put the personal information of nearly every American in danger. The whistleblower says government officials copied sensitive data into an unsecured cloud system, creating a major threat to privacy.
Millions could be exposed
Charles Borges, the chief data officer at the Social Security Administration (SSA), filed a whistleblower complaint this week. He claims that officials from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made a live copy of the Social Security database—containing details on more than 300 million people—without proper security safeguards.
According to Borges, this copy includes names, birth dates, addresses, parents’ information, citizenship status, race and ethnicity, and Social Security numbers. If hackers or “bad actors” were to get in, Americans could face identity theft on a massive scale.
The danger is so serious that Borges says the government might even need to issue everyone in the country a new Social Security number if the data is compromised.
Who is DOGE and why do they have access?
The Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, was launched by President Donald Trump in early 2025 to cut federal spending and modernize government systems. Business mogul Elon Musk led the group for its first 130 days.
Borges claims DOGE officials have been pushing for access to Social Security data since the agency’s creation. They said their goal was to stop fraud, but Borges alleges they bypassed court orders and oversight protocols to get what they wanted. A temporary court order had blocked DOGE from accessing this sensitive information between March and June, but Borges says they continued to take risks even after that.
SSA responds to the complaint
The Social Security Administration said it takes all whistleblower complaints seriously. A spokesperson told The U.S. Sun that the data in question is stored in a secure system protected from the internet and overseen by SSA’s information security team.
“We are not aware of any compromise to this environment and remain dedicated to protecting sensitive personal data,” the SSA spokesperson said.
Still, Borges argues the separate cloud copy created by DOGE does not have the same oversight. His complaint lists several security lapses between March and July 2025 and warns that the system has no tracking to show who accessed it.
What’s at stake for ordinary Americans?
If someone were to break into this cloud copy, the fallout could be devastating. Hackers could use the stolen information to:
- Open credit cards or loans in your name.
- Steal tax refunds or government benefits.
- Disrupt access to Social Security, food stamps, or healthcare.
Experts warn that identity theft on this scale would take years to fix. Americans might need to replace Social Security numbers, update bank accounts, and monitor their credit indefinitely.
Why borges went public
As the SSA’s chief data officer, Borges is responsible for protecting public data. He says he tried to raise concerns inside the agency but received no action, so he filed a protected disclosure with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
Andrea Meza, Borges’ attorney with the Government Accountability Project, praised him for acting out of “a sense of urgency and duty.” She says exposing this problem now is the best chance to stop harm before it happens.
Bottom line
While the Social Security Administration insists its systems are safe, Borges’ warning points to a high-risk situation involving an unsecured copy of Americans’ most sensitive information. The allegations are now under review by federal watchdogs, but the case is a reminder to everyone: watch your credit, guard your personal information, and stay alert for updates.
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