Uncanny Valley | WIRED WIRED News Update: The Watergate-inspired Law That’s Fighting DOGE
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Feb 19, 2025 Andrew Couts, WIRED’s Senior Editor of Security and Investigations, discusses the 1974 Privacy Act's unexpected relevance as Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency gathers sensitive data. He outlines concerns about how this impacts privacy rights, especially in relation to the cryptocurrency Doge. The conversation reveals ongoing legal battles over data access and emphasizes the need for individuals to safeguard themselves against government surveillance. Practical tips and real-life anecdotes make the complex issues more relatable and engaging.
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Privacy Act Origins
- The Privacy Act of 1974 limits how the government uses personal data.
- It was created in response to Nixon's abuse of government resources during Watergate.
Privacy Act Lawsuits
- The Privacy Act is being used in lawsuits against DOGE's data access.
- These lawsuits have seen mixed results, with some succeeding and others failing.
Lawsuit Examples
- State attorney generals successfully sued to limit DOGE's access to Treasury records.
- A lawsuit by UC students to prevent access to Department of Education records failed.