Elon Musk’s newly launched Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE) website accidentally published classified information about U.S. intelligence agencies, raising serious security concerns. A website designed to help users track federal tax dollars inadvertently leaked details about the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), including budget figures and headcount — information that is typically classified as NOFORN, meaning it cannot be shared with foreign entities.
Sensitive data exposed on DOGE website
The DOGE website is designed to increase transparency in government spending, allowing users to explore federal agency headcount, budgets and employee demographics. Although the website claims to exclude data from US intelligence agencies, a simple search reveals details of the NRO, the agency responsible for US intelligence satellites.
A Defense Intelligence Agency employee who requested anonymity confirmed that the leak set off a scramble within the intelligence community to assess whether sensitive personnel information had been accessed. National security concerns raised by data breach Because of the sensitivity of its mission, the NRO’s budget and staffing are classified. Exposing this data poses a national security threat because foreign adversaries could use it to attack the United States. Intelligence measures priorities. There are also growing concerns about how Musk’s team obtained the confidential information and what security protocols were in place to protect it. Impact on Musk’s SpaceX contract Elon Musk’s SpaceX has a $1.8 billion contract with the NRO to build spy satellites, but the company is under scrutiny amid questions about whether sensitive information is being obtained through these channels. Senate and Intelligence Community Reaction Senate aides with expertise in intelligence matters have confirmed the NRO’s classification of personnel levels and budget. They now question the ability of DOGE programmers to handle sensitive data, voicing concerns about potential security risks and misuse of confidential information.