Federal Employees Sue to Disconnect Server Linked to Elon Musk

Federal employees have filed a lawsuit to disconnect a server reportedly operated by associates of Elon Musk from the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The server is allegedly harvesting information from OPM’s data systems, which houses sensitive personal information about current and prospective employees.

OPM’s Role and Responsibilities

The OPM is the federal government’s human resources department, responsible for managing sensitive personal information about government employees. The email server in question is a violation of federal laws and a privacy risk for government staffers. Government agencies are required to conduct privacy assessments before making substantial changes to IT systems under the 2002 E-Government Act.

Lack of Oversight and Cybersecurity Concerns

Senior officials at the OPM were locked out of the department’s data systems, allegedly by Musk’s allies. This has created great concern among officials, as they have no visibility into what is being done with the computer and data systems. The lack of oversight and cybersecurity implications are significant, creating real risks of hacking and data breaches.

Interim US Attorney Ed Martin’s Response

Interim US Attorney Ed Martin has expressed support for Musk’s activities, stating that he will pursue any and all legal action against anyone who impedes his work or threatens his people. This response has raised concerns among government officials and labor unions.

Broader Implications

The OPM is not the only government agency where Musk may be installing his connections. A former employee of the South African billionaire allegedly has direct access to systems in the US Treasury Department. A group of labor unions and retiree advocates has sued the Treasury for granting DOGE permission to access those systems.

Class Action Suit and Motion for TRO

The federal employees who filed the lawsuit claim that the new server connected to OPM systems is a violation of federal laws and a privacy risk for government staffers. They are seeking to block Musk’s access to sensitive personal information and to disconnect the server from OPM systems. The motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) has been filed as part of the class action suit.