Latest news with #PrivacyActof1974
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
US court allows DOGE access to Education Department data: Here's how it impacts students
A recent ruling by a federal appeals court has significant implications for students across the United States. On August 12, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, overturned a preliminary injunction that had previously blocked the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, from accessing sensitive records at the U.S. Department of Education, as well as the Treasury Department and the Office of Personnel Management. The decision restores DOGE's access to federal databases while the broader legal challenge continues. What is DOGE and why does it matter for students? DOGE was established under the Trump administration to improve efficiency across federal agencies. The office, closely associated with Elon Musk, who served as an informal adviser to former President Trump, has employees embedded in multiple agencies to review operations and data. Although Musk stepped down from his White House role in May 2025, DOGE continues its work. According to the EdWeek , the American Federation of Teachers, along with other unions and individuals, had challenged DOGE's access, arguing that it violated the Privacy Act of 1974 and placed sensitive data at risk. Specifically, the lawsuit noted DOGE employees accessed the Student Loan Data System, which contains records of approximately 43 million Americans, including teachers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When Knee Pain Hits, Start Eating These Foods, and Feel Your Pain Go Away (It's Genius) Click Here Undo The suit did not allege that K-12 student records were accessed. The court's reasoning In its 2-1 decision, the 4th Circuit cited procedural issues with the lawsuit and indicated that the plaintiffs would likely have difficulty proving a violation of the Privacy Act. According to the EdWeek, Judge Julius N. Richardson, a Trump appointee, wrote that DOGE employees are tasked with a broad duty to improve agency efficiency and would find it challenging to know what needs reform without reviewing the data. Judge Richardson further noted that 'each plaintiff's information is one row in various databases that are millions upon millions of rows long,' suggesting that the potential harm from granting access to a handful of government employees differs in kind from the risks posed by reporters, investigators, or paparazzi. The majority also referenced a U.S. Supreme Court order in June that allowed DOGE employees access to Social Security Administration files, which similarly faced privacy concerns. According to the EdWeek , Richardson stated, 'This case and that one are exceedingly similar'. In dissent, Judge Robert B. King, a Clinton appointee, argued that the district court had provided a thorough analysis demonstrating the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits of their Privacy Act claim. He described DOGE's access as 'sudden, unfettered, unprecedented, and apparently unnecessary' and emphasised the sensitivity of the personal information involved. Implications for students For students, this ruling highlights the ongoing tension between government efficiency initiatives and the safeguarding of personal data. While K-12 records were not part of the lawsuit, the ruling still involves access to large federal education databases, which could include higher education loan records and other student-related information. It underscores the need for students and educators to remain aware of how personal data is accessed and managed at the federal level. The case is not yet fully resolved. The full 4th Circuit is expected to examine the broader implications of DOGE's access in the Social Security Administration case in September, which may provide further clarity on the limits and oversight of such government data initiatives. As legal proceedings continue, students and education stakeholders may see changes in how government offices access and use sensitive educational and personal data, making this a topic worth monitoring closely. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Trump administration hands over immigrant Medicaid data, targets 'unsatisfactory immigration status'; raises privacy law concerns
US President Donald Trump (Image credits: AP) The Trump administration this week gave deportation officials access to personal data, including immigration status, of millions of Medicaid enrollees, raising legal and ethical concerns within the government. Internal memos and emails revealed that officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) objected to the data transfer, arguing it could violate federal laws like the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974, AP reported. Despite their objections, two senior advisers to health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr ordered the information be shared with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). CMS was given just 54 minutes on Tuesday to comply. A spokesperson for the department of health and human services (HHS), Andrew Nixon, said the data sharing was legal and in line with federal regulations. He declined to explain why the data was shared or how DHS plans to use it. The data included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and claimed information of people in California, Illinois, Washington state, and Washington, DC- states that allow non-citizens to receive state-funded Medicaid. The release came as immigration enforcement was increasing in Southern California. Experts said the information could be used to locate undocumented immigrants and potentially deny green cards, permanent residency, or citizenship to those who had received federally funded Medicaid benefits. California governor Gavin Newsom's office expressed concern over the move, calling it 'extremely concerning' and 'potentially unlawful.' The statement also criticised the use of personal information in federal immigration enforcement efforts. Last month, CMS announced a targeted review of Medicaid enrollees in certain states to ensure federal funds were not used for people with 'unsatisfactory immigration status.' The memo showed CMS officials tried to block DHS's request, saying that the data was meant only for administering Medicaid, not for immigration enforcement.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump gives Homeland Security access to immigrant Medicaid data in Washington, AP reports
The Trump administration gave federal immigration authorities access to personal data on millions of Medicaid enrollees this week, including information from Washington, according to internal documents obtained by the Associated Press. Washington is one of a handful of states that allow undocumented immigrants to receive health benefits. The data transfer was ordered by two top advisers to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite opposition from Medicaid officials who warned it may violate federal privacy laws. Records show that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) were given less than an hour on Tuesday to comply with the directive from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Emails and a memo obtained by the AP show that CMS officials tried to block the request, citing concerns under the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. However, Trump appointees overruled those objections. The information shared with DHS included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and Medicaid claims data from enrollees in California, Washington, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. All of these areas offer state-funded Medicaid programs for non-U.S. citizens and have committed not to bill the federal government for those services. The timing of the transfer coincided with a ramp-up of federal immigration enforcement in Southern California, including raids involving National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles. The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to give immigration authorities access to more data on undocumented immigrants. In May, a federal judge declined to stop the IRS from sharing immigrant tax records with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CMS announced last month it would begin reviewing Medicaid enrollment data from several states to ensure that federal funds were not being used to support coverage for individuals with 'unsatisfactory immigration status.' The review was triggered by Trump's February 19 executive order, 'Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.' In response to the AP's reporting, California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office issued a statement calling the data transfer 'extremely concerning' and potentially unlawful. 'We deeply value the privacy of all Californians,' the statement read. Democratic U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman also voiced alarm, writing on X, 'We should never use a person's need to go to the doctor against them.' ACLU of Washington sent KIRO 7 News the following statement: 'We are still waiting for complete and detailed information, but it's clear that great harm has been done. That this data was shared with the federal government and with ICE is a gross violation of Washington residents' privacy, a violation of the promises HCA made to enrollees, and a flagrant misuse of this data. Washington immigrants enrolled in the Apple Health expansion program with the expectation they would receive critical services that we all need to thrive and that their personal data would be protected – and the state promised as such, publicly and on its website. That promise was not kept. The community and advocates have long demanded a risk analysis and mitigation plan to protect the privacy and well-being of enrollees, and the state has not taken meaningful action responsive to the request. The state must treat this moment with the urgency it deserves and protect communities who put their faith and trust in a system that promised to protect them.' In contrast, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Andrew Nixon, defended the action. 'HHS acted entirely within its legal authority,' he said, describing the data transfer as necessary to ensure only lawful residents receive Medicaid. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the department is working with CMS to 'ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans.' Critics say the decision could have far-reaching consequences for both immigrant communities and the states that provide them with health coverage. Sara Vitolo, deputy director of Medicaid, authored a June 6 memo warning that sharing personal data with DHS could deter states from cooperating with future federal requests and expose them to legal risk. Vitolo also wrote that sharing the data would violate long-standing policy and federal law, which restricts CMS from distributing personal health information for non-Medicaid administration purposes. Despite those concerns, HHS leadership directed the data to be transferred by June 10. Former CMS officials described the decision as highly unusual. 'DHS has no role in anything related to Medicaid,' said Jeffrey Grant, a former CMS career employee. California, Illinois, and Washington provided CMS with the requested data. Other states that allow undocumented immigrants to access full Medicaid coverage — New York, Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado — had not yet submitted information as of this week, according to a public health official familiar with the process. Newsom, whose state plans to freeze new enrollment into its immigrant health care program due to budget constraints, later said the data handover 'will jeopardize the safety, health, and security of those who will undoubtedly be targeted by this abuse.' Illinois is also planning to shut down its program next month for approximately 30,000 undocumented enrollees. Health officials in Illinois, Washington, and D.C. did not respond to AP's request for comment.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. Hands Medicaid Data to ICE as It Ramps Up War on Immigrants
The Trump administration is giving the personal data of Medicaid-enrolled immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security, according to the Associated Press. The Department of Homeland Security forced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—which is part of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Department of Health and Human Services—to hand over personal information, an unprecedented move. This is yet another clear invasion of privacy aimed to help ICE find immigrants' names, homes, and jobs and identify immigrants receiving aid so that they can revoke green card applications and target permanent residency seekers. Most of the data covers residents of California, Illinois, Washington state, and Washington, D.C.—all states that let noncitizens enroll in Medicaid, and all states that are seeing ramped-up ICE raids and protests in response. CMS tried to fight DHS's request, arguing that they'd be violating the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974, and in general going against 'longstanding policy' of not giving people's personal Medicaid data to a department that has nothing to do with Medicaid just because they are immigrants. 'We deeply value the privacy of all Californians,' Gavin Newsom said in a statement. 'This potential data transfer brought to our attention by the AP is extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans.'
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Musk's Grok AI use in US govt sparks privacy, ethics concerns
Listen to article Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, is reportedly being used across parts of the US federal government, raising alarm over potential privacy breaches and ethical conflicts. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is deploying a customised version of Grok to analyse government data and produce internal reports. The initiative, led by Musk's AI company xAI, allegedly bypasses standard procurement procedures and lacks full agency authorisation. Concerns escalated after reports emerged that DOGE staff encouraged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adopt Grok, despite the tool not being formally approved for agency use. While DHS denies being pressured, critics argue that such actions could violate federal privacy and security regulations. @DrewAswell @MorePerfectUS The claim of being "the most transparent administration" contrasts with concerns about DOGE's use of Grok AI. Reports suggest limited transparency, with unclear details on how Grok analyzes federal data, raising privacy and oversight issues. Lawmakers… — Grok (@grok) May 24, 2025 Grok, developed by Musk's xAI and launched via his social platform X, is designed to generate responses based on user queries. Experts warn that if it is processing sensitive or personal information from government databases, it may breach long-standing federal laws, including the Privacy Act of 1974. That law was created to protect citizens from unauthorised data sharing and surveillance, setting strict guidelines for how personal data may be accessed and used. 'If Grok is being trained or refined using federal data, even indirectly, it could represent a significant privacy violation,' said a technology law expert. There are also rising concerns about conflicts of interest. As Musk is a special government employee while leading private firms that could benefit from inside knowledge or favourable contracting terms, ethics specialists warn this dual role may blur boundaries. The use of Grok could offer xAI a competitive edge in the rapidly growing AI procurement market, where contracts for AI services surged by 150% between 2022 and 2023. Unlike other AI firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic, which have entered into formal partnerships with the US government through the AI Safety Institute, xAI's reported approach appears to bypass key oversight protocols. The White House, xAI, and Elon Musk declined to comment. A DHS spokesperson stated, 'DOGE hasn't pushed any employees to use any particular tools or products. DOGE is here to find and fight waste, fraud and abuse.' As Musk expands Grok's reach into federal agencies, questions continue to mount about transparency, security, and the future of ethical AI use in public institutions.
