Summary

Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) have been granted access to the U.S. Treasury’s federal payment system, raising concerns about security and misuse.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent approved the move after a top Treasury official was ousted for resisting.

Critics warn Musk could freeze payments to government programs or manipulate federal contracts.

The move coincides with DOGE’s takeover of the Office of Personnel Management.

Experts call it a dangerous power grab, as Musk holds no official government position.

  • "no" banana@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Just to culture shock Americans: it’s not exactly the same but in Sweden our personal numbers are kept in the open. Even online. Searchable databases with names, phone numbers, addresses etc. It tells you if someone has a dog. It tells you if they have a car. Which car, even. Some tell you the income of the person you’re searching for. Sites even exist that could tell you if I’ve commited a crime. Some people think that’s unreasonable. Irresponsible even!

    That said, as pertains to the article, the fact that he has that info seems pretty unreasonable and irresponsible.

    • Makeitstop@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      It’s not that we don’t have all that info and more available, it’s that we want you to pay a data broker for it.

      • "no" banana@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Some of this data, like commited crimes, is usually behind such a barrier here too. Though it is possible, even if a bit more complex, to get that info by yourself directly from the courts.

  • buddascrayon@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    To be fair the social security number is not exactly the most secure thing in the world. More than likely there’s a lot of people who have your social security number and you don’t have any clue that they do.

    That being said, I don’t understand why he’s being allowed this kind of access. Even with the Orange douchebag’s blessing, there should be other people minding the store. Shouldn’t there?

    • Kbobabob@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      there should be other people minding the store. Shouldn’t there?

      There was until they were removed and yes man installed

  • ansiz@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    All of my data got breached multiple times going back to the dot-com bubble days, by Yahoo, the original 2015 OPM Beach and by two of the big credit bureaus for a start. If Musk has my social at this point it doesn’t matter.

  • over_clox@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Didn’t Elon get hacked and his SS number leaked?

    No, I’m not about to go search for that, but I’m pretty sure that happened, with the 23andme data breach…

  • whotookkarl@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    SSN is not a password and anyone who uses it like one doesn’t understand security because you can’t change it. It’s a user ID, like a finger print or email address.

  • penquin@lemm.ee
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    2 months ago

    You can get anyone’s SSN for $15 on the dark web. lol. The amount of leaks/hacks that have happened to all of the companies that require your SSN is insane.