Trying To Dodge DOGE? What To Know To Protect Your Privacy

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is the newly formed agency headed by Elon Musk and should not be confused with DOGE, the cryptocurrency Musk famously became involved with back in 2020. Before President Trump’s inauguration, the government office of DOGE was created, naming Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (a pharma CEO/politician) as co-leaders. Ramaswamy quickly announced his departure from the department on inauguration day.

DOGE has come under fire recently for several reasons. The lack of transparency in DOGE’s handling of data, the misrepresented and incorrect publishing of data, and the members' lack of security clearances have all led to public mistrust and unease. 

If you’re concerned about your personal information falling into the wrong hands, especially after reports that the data is being stored on personal, unsecured servers, there are some steps that you can take to help protect yourself in these uncertain times.

What's going on with DOGE?

Many are concerned about Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). There are several reasons. One is the unelected and unconfirmed team that is working under Musk. They have access to the personal and private information of Americans and American intelligence. It’s been reported that this DOGE team is made up of young men, ages 19-67, who have no security clearance yet have downloaded sensitive data to private servers.[1]

DOGE has employed over two dozen individuals, many of whom have previously worked for or invested in Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX. Other DOGE employees are close personal friends of Musk or the Trump family, although not all employees have personal connections.

The credentials of many of these individuals, specifically those accessing government and private citizens’ personal information, have been called into question, as none are elected officials, nor have they been confirmed by Congress as being free of conflicts of interest. At least one employee, Edward Coristine, 19, was fired from his position at a cybersecurity company for leaking company secrets to competitors.[2]

DOGE has also been accused of misrepresenting data by claiming it has found hidden government waste while publishing information that was already publicly available on USASpending.gov. It’s also made untrue claims about totals, which it states are “waste,” and then rolling back those same claims after being fact-checked.[3]

Additionally, there’s speculation that the reason behind DOGE’s cuts and consolidations is to free up more money for contracts that Musk’s personal companies can access and large tax cuts for the billionaire class in America. These speculations are not confirmed but have begun to make many Americans nervous as to DOGE’s true nature. 

Coupled with reports that DOGE is not following cybersecurity protocol to access Americans’ personal information securely, these reports have made ordinary people feel unsettled about their data’s security.[4]

Why does DOGE want access to taxpayer data?

DOGE claims its access to IRS data is to find “waste, fraud, and abuse,” though many detractors find the agency hasn't given any clear-cut reasoning as to why it’s accessing the information of every American tax filer who received an electronic refund. If successful, DOGE will be able to type in a name and social security number (SSN) and see that person’s name, address, income, financial accounts, marital status, medical expenses, name of employer, and even the name of the person or agency that prepared their taxes.[5]

With no known plan for the exact use of this information and without an oversight committee checking to ensure the information is handled appropriately, there’s no saying what the personal data of millions of Americans could potentially be used for in the future. Data privacy advocates are concerned that DOGE could look at your bank, savings, and investment accounts and accuse you personally of “waste, fraud, or abuse.” However, it’s not yet confirmed that the agency is targeting individuals.

Did the DOGE website get hacked?

Yes, it was hacked within days of the DOGE website going live. The message posted on the site mocked the agency for its lack of security measures. According to two web developers reporting to 404 Media, the DOGE website was built on a CloudFlare framework but not hosted on government servers.[6]

Essentially, DOGE was built by someone who used a platform to build websites that were not properly secured. This oversight reinforces the report that DOGE is not using proper cybersecurity practices.

Precautions I take to protect my privacy

Regardless of how you feel about DOGE's access, this recent controversy is just one of many examples of large agencies getting access to sensitive data. The best approach to concerns like this is to bulk up on your data security.

Personally, I have identity theft protection for myself and my family, as well as antivirus for my computers and mobile devices. I use a virtual private network (VPN) on all my devices. I use an ad blocker that also stops trackers and has a built-in firewall to ensure I’m reducing my online presence. In addition, I use the data broker removal service that comes with my identity theft protection software, as well as a private browser.

Some of these are what I call “silent services,” meaning you won’t get a flashy alert every day that the software has done its job.

My VPN encrypts my online activity, including when I access my mobile banking. My ID theft software alerts me to compromised passwords and changes in my credit. I know the ad blocker is working because ads are blocked on sites I visit. The data removal and tracker blocker are a little quieter, but I know they’re working because when I search myself online, very little information comes up.

You may be thinking this is overkill, but I’ve been in the cybersecurity industry since 2017 and have seen cybercrimes firsthand (including giving permission to let someone hack my iPhone right in front of me during a demonstration).

While I’ve never seen something like DOGE’s broad access before, I’ve seen other invasive companies and feel confident I’ve put my best foot forward to dodge DOGE.

My favorite cybersecurity software and services

Here are some of my favorite security tools, which I use regularly and recommend to all my friends and family. I also opt for private browsing via Brave or DuckDuckGo. 

Virtual private networks

I don't leave the house without my VPN connected. NordVPN is the #1-rated virtual private network service, and it's the best VPN I've tested. I also love CyberGhost for its optimized servers, which gave me unfettered access to regional content even when traveling internationally.

Data removal services

I've used so many different data removal services that I often joke no one can find me online. All kidding aside, DeleteMe is a top data removal service because it submits removal requests to 750+ data brokers, though Incogni and Operty and excellent alternatives.

Ad blockers

I recommend Total Adblocker for its broad compatibility and ease of use, though 1Blocker is also a top fave because it's designed for Apple devices.

Antivirus software

I recommend MacKeeper for macOS-exclusive users and Avast for either macOS or PC.

Identity theft protection services

I recommend Aura because it offers comprehensive identity protection, especially for families. But for individuals, I'd recommend Aura's subsidiary, Identity Guard.

FAQs

Bottom line

While DOGE touts itself as the savior of American finances, many experts believe it's putting most Americans at risk through shoddy data practices and lackluster security. No matter your opinion on the events, bulking up your security stack is always a good idea to protect yourself and your data from unwanted eyes.

I personally use antivirus, ID theft protection, an ad and tracker blocker, data removal services, and one of the best VPNs. My VPN is an absolutely non-negotiable piece of software that I have installed on every internet-connected device. This ensures my online activity is encrypted, so anyone trying to view my bank account can’t see my private information.

We don’t know what’s going to happen with DOGE, but we have plenty of examples of data breaches from a variety of other companies. Considering the agency’s website has already been hacked, we don’t have much hope for its handling of our data. Bulk up on security software for a solid first line of defense to dodge whatever’s coming.