Is there a class action lawsuit against DOGE? Can I join it?

February 7, 2025 4:54 PM

I saw that DOGE gained access to federal job applications. I applied for a federal job during the Biden administration with the DOE specifically to work on electric charging infrastructure. I was interviewed, but did not move forward.

I'm assuming my application was accessed as part of DOGE's review because all of Biden's electric (IRA) efforts have been targeted. Is there a class action lawsuit I could join? How could I join it? If one does not yet exist, could one be brought? Under what law?

posted by anonymous to Law & Government (2 answers total)

The University of California Students Association filed suit against the DOE and its Acting Secretary under the Privacy Act of 1974 rather than naming DOGE/USDS or anyone within it.

12. People who take out federal student loans to afford higher education should not be forced to share their sensitive information with “DOGE.” And federal law says they do not have to. As ED has acknowledged, the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code both make it unlawful for Defendants to hand over access to financial aid records to DOGE. Plaintiff files this action to put an immediate stop to Defendants’ systematic, continuous, and ongoing violation of federal laws that protect the privacy of personal information contained in federal records.

That's one aggrieved party's answer to Under what law? The students seek to establish that DOE's data-sharing is unlawful and to revoke DOGE's access to protected personal information. Their prayer for relief may achieve what you are seeking; if not, it may establish grounds for DOE job applicants to pursue further remedy.
posted by backwoods at 5:41 AM on February 8 [1 favorite]

Not a lawyer, but I'm assuming this will be low priority right now. In any case, if one does happen in the near future, presumably you would get an email through the USAJobs portal, just like you get emails updating you on your candidacy.
posted by coffeecat at 9:28 AM on February 8