Statement from Debra Katz, Attorney for Charles Borges, on Social Security Data Misuse

Washington — Today, following a filing in federal court regarding the misuse of Social Security data, attorney Debra S. Katz, counsel for Social Security Administration whistleblower Charles (Chuck) Borges, issued the following statement:

“Mr. Borges, who served as Chief Data Officer for the Social Security Administration, is a patriot, and this court filing validates the concerns he raised that the actions of DOGE officials compromised the data of Americans. Mr. Borges alleged that select DOGE personnel had access to sensitive Social Security data, despite a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) restricting their access in the early months of 2025. He also alleged that DOGE representatives used this access to copy sensitive information from the agency’s database, including hundreds of millions of Americans’ personal identifying information, into a cloud-based environment without following mandated data security protocols.

“When Mr. Borges raised his concerns internally last year, the Social Security Administration emphatically rejected them, insisting that there were no data breaches or security risks.  Mr. Borges refused to accept the false explanations provided to him by DOGE appointees. In response, they isolated him, subjected him to a hostile work environment and to career-derailing retaliation.

“The federal government has conceded that many of Mr. Borges’ allegations are accurate. DOGE officials appear to have flouted a court order prohibiting DOGE officials from accessing SSA data in March 2025, as Mr. Borges alleged.  Furthermore, they actively put at risk Americans’ sensitive information, including names and addresses, by using technology that does not comply with SSA’s security protocols.

“Previously, the Former Acting Social Security Commissioner, Leland Dudek, who was appointed to that role by the Trump administration, acknowledged in media interviews that Borges’ concerns were ‘appropriate’ and ‘accurate’ and that the type of cloud server that DOGE used is not sufficiently protected for such personal information. Even in the face of this acknowledgement, the Social Security Administration denied the validity of Mr. Borges’ concerns.  Having admitted what Mr. Borges has said all along, the Social Security Administration must take appropriate action to protect Americans’ data, and Mr. Borges must get justice for the violation of his rights.”

Borges’ whistleblower complaints were filed with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) in August and November 2025.

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