DOGE and the Privacy Act
Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been accessing government computer data systems that hold the personal data of every American. They have been hiding behind evasions and misrepresentations to avoid coming clean to the American people about the data they are collecting and what they are doing with it.
As Maryland’s Eighth District’s Representative to Congress and Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, I believe that every American has the right to hold our government to account and to demand to know what data the government has about us. Filing a Privacy Act request is one method that may allow Americans to learn more about what data (if any) DOGE has obtained about them. The Privacy Act is a law that establishes how most federal agencies can collect, use, and disclose Americans’ personally identifiable information. The Privacy Act also allows Americans to view the records that applicable federal agencies have about them, upon their request.
Accordingly, I have submitted my own Privacy Act request to DOGE in an effort to learn what data about me DOGE may be holding. I submitted this request after a U.S. District Court, in March 2025, required DOGE to process a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by a non-profit organization. To date, no federal court has explicitly ruled on DOGE’s obligations under the Privacy Act.
As Maryland’s Eighth District’s Representative to Congress and Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, I will continue to hold Elon Musk and DOGE to account and to defend the legal rights of all Americans to defend their privacy and establish the security of their private information.
View Jamie’s Privacy Act request to DOGE here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
How can I file my own Privacy Act request with DOGE?
If you are a constituent of Maryland’s Eighth District, I am happy to help you with issues you may be experiencing with federal agencies, including concerns about DOGE’s access to your personal data. Unlike most federal agencies, DOGE does not yet have a Privacy Act request form or instructions on its website.
Therefore, if you are a constituent of Maryland’s Eighth District seeking information about making a Privacy Act request to DOGE, you may fill out this form to request assistance from our office: Privacy Act Information Request Form for Maryland’s Eighth District Constituents
If you are not a constituent of Maryland’s Eighth District, then you must contact your own Member of Congress if you need assistance with a federal agency (including information about making a Privacy Act request).
Where can I learn more about the Privacy Act?
You can read more about the Privacy Act from the Congressional Research Service here.
Please note that Congressional offices cannot provide legal advice. If you would like to seek legal advice regarding the Privacy Act, or any other matter, please consider consulting with an attorney.