EFF Warns: Federal Data Consolidation Risks Privacy, Transparency
Federal agencies unlawfully consolidated extensive personal data over two years.
Why it matters: Privacy officers and legal counsels must prepare for emerging risks from federal data consolidation, including regulatory scrutiny and potential litigation due to privacy violations.
- DOGE consolidated sensitive data from federal agencies including OPM, SSA, and Treasury between January 2025 and July 2026.
- A federal court ruled DOJ’s voter data consolidation violated voter privacy and state election authority.
- Whistleblower revealed DHS employees allegedly accessed state voter databases illegally, risking false statements.
- OPM proposed collecting health data on up to 8 million federal employees and relatives, sparking privacy concerns.
Established in January 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) obtained high-level access to sensitive federal databases spanning the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Treasury Department. DOGE’s data consolidation efforts amassed personal information without proper authorization, raising serious privacy concerns, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Legal challenges have followed. A federal court ruled that the Department of Justice's attempts to consolidate sensitive voter data unlawfully intruded on voter privacy and states’ election authority, protecting voters’ rights to cast ballots free from misuse of personal information, according to the ACLU.
Additionally, a whistleblower report disclosed that the Department of Homeland Security employees were allegedly instructed to illegally access state voter databases, potentially violating state laws and risking false statements, as reported by Axios.
Concerns extend beyond voter data. The OPM has proposed collecting detailed health data on up to 8 million federal employees, retirees, and their families. This initiative has drawn criticism from lawmakers worried about privacy risks and the creation of long-lasting, re-identifiable medical histories, exemplified by a letter from six Senate Democrats to OPM leadership cited by Federal News Network.
These developments underscore growing scrutiny over federal data practices that could prompt further regulatory and legal challenges. Privacy officers and legal counsels should anticipate an evolving landscape where government data consolidation faces increasing opposition and oversight.
By the numbers:
- January 2025 to July 2026 — DOGE’s operation period consolidating data
- 8 million — Individuals potentially affected by OPM’s health data collection plan
What's next: Further federal oversight and potential legal actions are expected as watchdogs and lawmakers respond to data consolidation controversies.