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DOGE has 'god mode' access to government data

theatlantic.com

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Re: DOGE has 'god mode' access to government data

#42
post #5

If they have the ability to change data, then absolutely none of their claims can be trusted. Neither Musk nor his A-team of hackers have demonstrated any integrity through their career - contrary to HN guidelines, the default position is to assume the worst from them. Think about it once they begin putting the opposition on show trials.

their claims can't be trusted because they fail at basic accounting and reading. Something something malice incompetence. https://twitter.com/electricfutures/status/18918983362081056... > The single biggest ticket item is a DHS contract listed as saving $8 billion. Wow, that's a huge contract! Actually no, it's $8 million. They must have tried to automate scraping the FPDS form and failed.

It is even worse, this $8M contract is alread partially executed, so only $5.5 millions are left.

And it does not say anything about what is being cut by cancelling the contract and whether it is useful or not.

Re: DOGE has 'god mode' access to government data

#43
post #9
post #3

What's Elon's beef with USAID? I would think he would go after something like food stamps first owing to his libertarian ethos. Maybe he sees USAID as a completely benevolent handout and a waste of money? I cannot begin to understand why.

> U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): The USAID Inspector General initiated a probe into Starlink satellite terminals provided to the Government of Ukraine From a House Committee report matching Elon’s actions to agencies he has personal issues with: https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2025.02....

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Re: DOGE has 'god mode' access to government data

#44

I find it wild that apparently there is no law onto which government workers can cling to refuse these requests. Is it all just based on conventions, goodwill and culture?

[flagged]

Why do you have to accept it? Trump doesn't accept the actual law.

Re: DOGE has 'god mode' access to government data

#46
post #3

What's Elon's beef with USAID? I would think he would go after something like food stamps first owing to his libertarian ethos. Maybe he sees USAID as a completely benevolent handout and a waste of money? I cannot begin to understand why.

USAID was funding the StarLink deployment in Ukraine and was reexamining the deal[1], likely to try to negotiate a cheaper plan or to reduce the funding. My opinion is that it likely hit his ego a bit and it was a really sweet deal for StarLink, so losing out on it would suck. [1] https://www.newsweek.com/usaid-elon-musk-starlink-probe-ukra...

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Re: DOGE has 'god mode' access to government data

#47

I find it wild that apparently there is no law onto which government workers can cling to refuse these requests. Is it all just based on conventions, goodwill and culture?

who even knows the law in the moment? the seal of the president is p convincing. heck just look at all the social engineering/phishing that works

Do civil servants have trade unions in the US? This seems like a place they could step up to offer advice.

Re: DOGE has 'god mode' access to government data

#48
So how is this any different from all the random employees who might have access to this data as part of their jobs? I would understand if there was this sort of scrutiny over every federal employee but as it stands I never know who has access to my data and if they can be trusted.

Re: DOGE has 'god mode' access to government data

#49

I find it wild that apparently there is no law onto which government workers can cling to refuse these requests. Is it all just based on conventions, goodwill and culture?

[flagged]

That's a gross misrepresentation of what's happening here.

We don't have to respect anything, except the law. Trump and Musk's actions are neither legal, ethical nor sensible. If you're of that mind then removing Musk and Trump via any legal or political means is not only acceptable but, if you care about your country, an imperative.

The biggest problem America has is how readily it normalizes incompetence and evil, to its detriment.

Re: DOGE has 'god mode' access to government data

#50
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Even if that advisor hires college kids with known links to The Com? There are reasons behind some processes. Such as getting a security clearance to access sensitive data.

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