Whistleblower: DOGE Exposed Millions’ Social Security Data
▼ Summary
– A group called “Purgatory” claims responsibility for recent swatting hoaxes at US universities and alleges ties to the cybercriminal network The Com.
– Researchers warn that cybercriminals are increasingly using generative AI tools to develop ransomware, enabling those without technical expertise to create malware.
– A whistleblower alleges that Elon Musk’s DOGE group recklessly uploaded a database containing Americans’ Social Security numbers to an insecure cloud server, risking potential identity theft.
– The FBI warns that China’s Salt Typhoon cyberespionage group targeted telecoms in 80 countries, accessing at least a million call records and spying on over a hundred Americans’ communications.
– The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is restructuring, cutting over 500 positions and closing key offices, which critics warn may hollow out coordination and expertise amid escalating threats.
A whistleblower has revealed that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may have exposed the Social Security numbers of millions of Americans through reckless data handling practices. According to a complaint filed by Social Security Administration chief data officer Charles Borges, DOGE staff overruled security concerns and uploaded a sensitive government database to an inadequately secured cloud server. Internal communications show officials ignored warnings about the lack of data sanitization, potentially violating multiple federal statutes and placing virtually every American’s personal information at risk of identity theft or misuse.
While no breach has been confirmed, Borges emphasized the catastrophic consequences if hackers accessed the data. Americans could face widespread identity theft, loss of essential benefits, and the government might need to reissue Social Security numbers at enormous expense. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the security culture within DOGE, where young engineers have been accused of prioritizing efficiency over privacy safeguards.
In other security developments, the FBI warned that China’s Salt Typhoon cyberespionage group cast a much wider net than initially believed. The hackers targeted telecom networks in 80 countries, showing interest in at least 600 companies and accessing over a million call records. Brett Leatherman, the bureau’s top cyber official, described the operation as “global indiscriminate targeting,” straying far from accepted norms in cyberspace.
Meanwhile, the White House intelligence community faces internal turmoil. A seasoned CIA Russia analyst with nearly three decades of service was among 37 officials abruptly dismissed following a memo from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The move, which listed no specific infractions, has been interpreted by colleagues as a loyalty purge aimed at aligning intelligence with presidential preferences.
Gabbard recently unveiled “ODNI 2.0,” a restructuring initiative claiming to save $700 million annually by cutting over 500 positions and consolidating offices. Critics argue the plan lacks transparency and could dismantle critical post-9/11 coordination mechanisms. Key units like the Foreign Malign Influence Center and the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center face reductions, raising concerns about the nation’s readiness amid growing global threats.
Elsewhere, researchers noted a rise in generative AI-powered ransomware attacks, enabling even non-technical criminals to develop malware. A mysterious Russian shortwave radio station, UVB-76, appears to have shifted from intrigue to propaganda. And a group calling itself “Purgatory” claimed responsibility for a series of swatting incidents at US universities, highlighting the persistent blend of digital and physical threats.
(Source: Wired)
