USAID employees enhance security due to data privacy fears

Federal workers at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are taking extra precautions with their personal data amid fears related to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This agency, initiated by the Trump administration, has recently caused concern by accessing sensitive employee information. In late February, furloughed staff were allowed back in short time slots to collect their belongings. Many left upset and worried about the personal data still stored on the agency's systems. Employees are mainly concerned about what information DOGE may have taken. To secure their communications, many staff members have turned to the encrypted messaging app Signal. A former employee explained that he felt more comfortable using Signal, which he typically uses in autocratic countries, than ordinary government communication channels. Approximately 90-95% of USAID's workforce has been laid off due to DOGE's restructuring. The DOGE team reportedly accessed sensitive information at USAID in early February, including entering a secure facility. Critics, including a federal judge, have stated that DOGE's actions likely violate constitutional rights. Concerns are rising about DOGE potentially accessing protected personal data, like Social Security numbers. As DOGE has cut jobs and created a climate of fear, employees have expressed a strong desire for clarity regarding what data the agency has collected. They are now being advised to take steps to protect their information, such as using personal devices for sensitive communication and securing their personal credit. Union representatives noted that this is the most unusual and worrying time in their careers. They hope ongoing legal actions against DOGE will shine more light on the issue and help determine the future of their data security. In the meantime, federal workers are using encrypted apps to communicate as they navigate an uncertain future.