Department of Government Efficiency Overreach - Letters

[petra]

For everyone who is trying to figure out what to do about the Department of Government Efficiency getting Treasury data access, I have two suggestions.

I was inspired by qqueenofhades to write to my AG. I used that user's suggested template, which is available here or below:


Qqueenofhades's template for writing to your AG:

As you will be aware, today (February 2, 2025) the Trump administration has granted wide-ranging access to sensitive US Treasury data, including the personal and private information of [state] citizens, to Elon Musk's so-called "Department of Government Efficiency." Musk is an unelected private citizen who has no legal right to access this data, and is engaging in extensive intimidation and coercion to fulfill his personal and harmful ideological agenda. The present and material harm that this causes to US citizens, [state] residents, and basic laws of government, privacy, and financial security is direct, unconscionable, and actionable. I strongly urge you, in your capacity as [state] Attorney General, to file direct suit against the Trump administration, Elon Musk, the "DOGE" office, and any identifiable individuals who have taken part in this action, in order to protect consumer data, citizen privacy, and basic faith and trust in government.



What I wrote to my representative & senators, which is separate:

The so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” should not have the access to US citizens’ data that it has been granted under the control of Elon Musk, who is not a civil servant. I am deeply concerned with the invasion of privacy of citizens’ records under this group, which is not a Cabinet-level department.

Please look into this immediately so that my fellow citizens and I know that our data is being treated appropriately by all governmental bodies. It is fundamental to our rights that said governmental bodies must be properly constituted and overseen by people elected and sworn to do their duties for us under the auspices of the Constitution.


Mods, can we get a "department of government efficiency" tag? Thank you!

Comments

[chestnut_pod]

Sent these via fax!

[petra]

\o/

[magid]

Thanks for the words!

I've emailed MA AG; current plan is to call the various Congresscritters tomorrow morning.

[redbird]

I couldn't find an email address for the AG on mass.gov. What is it, please?

[magid]

I used "email" in lieu of the clunkier "filled out a form submitting my request for the AG to act on behalf of the people of Massachusetts". I don't remember which form I chose (possibly civil rights?) of the forms available at https://www.mass.gov/contact-the-attorney-generals-office.

[redbird]

Ah, thanks. I couldn't figure out which contact form was most relevant.

[petra]

I hope you chose something related.

[petra]

Yeah, this was what I sekritly did with my AG's office, too.

[petra]

\o/ Thank you!

[teaotter]

Great idea!

Edit: Done! One email sent to the Oregon AG's office.

I added a section in the middle due to Oregon's laws on reporting computer data breaches:

I am particularly concerned about news that Mr. Musk’s employees are connecting insecure computers to the Treasury system and copying data. These actions would constitute a massive breach of the standards to safeguard personal information, and should require that all potential victims be immediately notified of the breach.

[petra]

Nice! Thank you!

[longmagpieroads]

Thank you.

[petra]

You're welcome! I was struggling for a while there, not knowing the right way to yell about it.

[ride_4ever]

TYK for this! Will act on it!

[petra]

\o/

[lightbird]

Thank you.

[petra]

You're welcome! I was struggling for a while there, not knowing the right way to yell about it.

[otter]

I'm not up to more phone calls today, but have written to the MN AG on paper and will put it in the mail the next time I leave the house.

[petra]

Nice!

[redsixwing]

Emailed and called the congresscritters about it.

[petra]

Super! Me too.

[semielliptical]

Thanks for sharing these! I am emailing now.

[petra]

Yay, thank you!