FOIA Request to DOGE: How to Request What Personal Data Was Taken

Last week, federal Judge Christopher Cooper found the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was likely subject to comply with public disclosure laws, which includes Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin has urged citizens to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act to request access to any personal data collected by DOGE. But how does someone file a request for that data?

What We Know

A lawsuit was initiated by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) against the U.S. DOGE Service and other entities.

Court records state that CREW filed a FOIA requests to gather information on actions taken by the U.S. DOGE Service regarding significant changes and firings within federal programs early in President Donald Trump’s second term.

The court ruled that DOGE must process CREW’s request on an expedited basis due to the public interest and potential harm caused by delays in releasing the information.

Why It Matters

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is spearheading DOGE, has said he wants to cut the federal budget by $2 trillion a year, and earlier this year began a process of collecting information ahead of drastic cuts in many government departments.

Growing concerns about privacy have sparked interest in government transparency. Maryland’s Raskin has been vocal on transparency and individual privacy rights.

Through his website, Raskin has encouraged Americans to submit Privacy Act requests to DOGE. His advocacy aligns with broader efforts to hold government agencies accountable for data collection and usage.

What Is the Federal Privacy Act of 1974?

The Privacy Act of 1974 was enacted to provide U.S. citizens with certain rights regarding records maintained by federal agencies. According to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, federal agencies may not disclose information without consent unless certain exceptions apply.

The Privacy Act provides Americans with the following rights:

• To request access to their records that government agencies hold about them (with certain exemptions)
• To amend incorrect or misleading information in those records
• Protection against unwarranted invasion of privacy from the collection of information

How to Submit a Privacy Act Request to DOGE

To request personal data from DOGE, citizens should follow these steps:

1. Obtain the Privacy Act Request Form: According to the Federal Trade Commission, individuals can submit a request online or through the mail, but online is the most efficient. A prefilled request form specifically for DOGE is available on Raskin’s website.
2. Complete the Form: Include your full name, contact details and any specific information related to the data you believe DOGE has collected about you.
3. Send the Request: Send your completed form to DOGE via mail. The address of the destination is at the top of the form.
4. Await Response: Agencies typically have 20 to 30 days to respond to Privacy Act requests. If denied, applicants have the right to appeal.

For additional guidance on submitting Privacy Act requests, agencies like the Department of Energy and Treasury Department offer resources detailing the process.