Senate Democrats are raising alarms about Elon Musk’s team and their data collection activities at the Education Department. A letter from 15 lawmakers highlights worries about how the Trump administration’s push for cost cuts may put sensitive student information at risk.
Leading the charge are prominent senators like Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, and Chris Van Hollen. They are eager to know if Musk’s team has sought confidential student information, which could include details about demographics and financial backgrounds that the department collects to distribute student aid.
The letter points out the anxiety these developments have caused among students, families, and teachers who depend on the Education Department for financial support, loans, and grants. Lawmakers emphasize that these families deserve clarity about whether an outsider, like Musk, now has access to their private data.
Reports indicate that staff members from Musk’s team are on-site at the Education Department, reviewing finances and suggesting budget cuts. This has raised further concerns about the potential for collecting sensitive personal data that students and families provide for financial aid applications or to file complaints against schools.
Moreover, similar issues are bubbling up across other federal agencies, including the Treasury Department, leading to lawsuits from labor unions and state attorneys general worried about data privacy. The implications of these actions could significantly impact the trust and confidentiality needed in public education.
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United States Politics and Government,Democratic Party,Education Department (US),Government Efficiency Department (US),Senate,Musk, Elon,Trump, Donald J,Van Hollen, Christopher Jr,Warren, Elizabeth
