California Students File Lawsuit Against DOGE Over Data Privacy Concerns
A group of students affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education has filed a lawsuit against the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), alleging the agency unlawfully accessed their financial records. The lawsuit, believed to be the first of its kind, highlights growing concerns over data privacy, particularly regarding sensitive student financial information.
The lawsuit was filed by the University of California Student Association, a collective of students from various universities within the UC system. According to the group, the DOGE, led by Elon Musk, sought access to confidential student financial records from the U.S. Department of Education. These records, which include loan reimbursement and payment details, are protected by privacy laws and typically shielded from unauthorized access.
The plaintiffs argue that the access to these records was in violation of regulations meant to protect such data. The loans in question are tied to students’ Social Security Numbers (SSNs), making their confidentiality crucial. Despite these protections, millions of student records were allegedly accessed by the DOGE team, exposing sensitive data tied to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
The controversy surrounding DOGE’s actions has raised alarms about the safety of personal data, especially as new, powerful agencies begin to exert influence over federal records. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for data privacy laws in the U.S. and the role of government agencies in accessing private financial information.
Western Allies Target Russia’s Zservers in Coordinated Cyber Attack
In a coordinated cyber operation, the United States, alongside its allies Australia and the United Kingdom, has launched a cyber offensive targeting Russia-based servers alleged to be hosting cryptocurrency wallets used by cybercriminals. The operation, which has been dubbed “PHOBOS AETOR,” is part of a broader effort to dismantle criminal networks involved in ransomware attacks.
The operation follows a significant success by law enforcement agencies, which managed to seize critical infrastructure utilized by the notorious 8Base ransomware group. This group’s infrastructure had been a key component in distributing Phobos ransomware, which has caused significant damage worldwide.
The U.S. government’s actions are part of a continued effort to combat ransomware attacks, and they follow a previous operation in which law enforcement successfully took down servers tied to the Lockbit ransomware group. These moves are seen as a strong response to the growing threat of cybercriminals exploiting cryptocurrencies for illicit activities.
In addition to seizing the servers, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on the Zservers, effectively cutting off access to the financial resources tied to the criminal operations. This sanctioning is aimed at preventing the servers from facilitating further ransomware attacks and other forms of cybercrime.
While there are still questions about the specific actions taken regarding the cryptocurrency wallets hosted on these servers, it remains unclear whether the authorities were able to seize funds from the accounts. Breaking into and accessing blockchain-based wallets is a complex process, and the extent of the authorities’ ability to recover funds remains uncertain. Regardless, this cyber crackdown marks a significant step in the global fight against ransomware and the exploitation of digital currencies for criminal purposes.
