April 1, 2025 2:50 a.m.

On Monday, Senator Ron Wyden and Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey released legislation they claim will protect Americans against Elon Musk, DOGE and other officials accessing stores of personal data held by the government.

A release from Wyden’s office said that it includes social security numbers, medical history, financial data and other sensitive information. Wyden said the Privacy Modernization Act would make it easier to sue officials for violations and would increase the penalties for such violations.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley and Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen.

Wyden said, “The seizure of millions of Americans’ sensitive information by Trump, Musk and other MAGA goons is plainly illegal, but current remedies are to slow and need more teeth”. Wyden said, “Our bill defends against new threats to American’s privacy and the integrity of federal systems, and ensures individuals can go after the government when officials break the law, including quickly stopping their illegal actions with a court order”.

Merkley said, “Elon Musk and his minions have no business riffling through your personal data”. Merkley said, “Our bill protects millions of Americans who count on the federal government to safeguard personal information included on taxes, student loans, and disaster assistance”.

The lawmakers say the new legislation is an update of the Privacy Act, which was passed by Congress over 50 years ago.

A one page summary of the legislation is linked: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/privacy_act_modernization_act_of_2025_one_pager.pdf