A whistleblower from the Social Security Administration has raised serious concerns about the handling of sensitive data of over 300 million Americans, claiming that Doge officials uploaded this information to unmonitored cloud accounts.
Charles Borges, who served as the agency’s chief data officer, stated that the actions taken by officials jeopardized the confidentiality of Social Security information. In his disclosure submitted to the Special Advisor’s Office on Tuesday, he expressed alarm over the potential risks posed by these actions.
In a letter addressed to SSA Commissioner Frank Vignano, Borges argued that his ability to perform his duties—legally and ethically—had been compromised since he filed his complaint. He noted experiencing significant distress as a result of the situation.
“After internally reporting to managers and externally to regulators, I have faced serious concerns regarding data security and integrity affecting the most sensitive personal information of citizens, alongside a culture of exclusion and internal conflict that has made my work environment untenable,” Borges wrote.
The Government Accountability Project, which is representing Borges in his whistleblower case, shared his resignation letter publicly on Friday night. Borges has chosen not to comment further on the situation.
His attorney, Andrea Meza, stated that Borges felt unable to continue working for the SSA with a clear conscience after witnessing the issues at play. She mentioned that he plans to collaborate with relevant watchdogs moving forward.
Borges’ whistleblower complaint detailed various types of sensitive information that could be at risk due to the actions of Doge, including health checks, income data, banking details, family dynamics, and personal histories.
He warned, “If a malicious actor gains access to this cloud environment, it could lead to widespread identity theft for Americans, with implications for their crucial healthcare and food benefits, possibly forcing the government to issue new Social Security numbers to all citizens.”
Borges has held his role as Chief Data Officer since January. In response to his resignation and allegations, the SSA has opted not to comment.
In a separate note, it’s worth mentioning that President Trump’s administration faces scrutiny over Doge’s access to a vast array of personal data across the government, a move aimed at cutting waste, fraud, and abuse.
Labor and retirement groups have also filed a lawsuit against the SSA, concerned about Doge’s access to sensitive data affecting Americans. This decision was made earlier this month, allowing Doge further access to classified information.
