Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, is set to host a hackathon next week aimed at developing a comprehensive API for accessing taxpayer data, as reported by Wired. This initiative is being spearheaded by DOGE staffers at the Internal Revenue Service, specifically Gavin Kliger and Sam Corcos, who also serves as CEO of the healthtech firm Levels.
Hackathon Objectives
The primary goal of the hackathon is to create a “mega API” that consolidates various data points from the IRS. This API would simplify access for cloud providers to sensitive taxpayer information, including names, addresses, social security numbers, tax returns, and employment data. The project is expected to involve a third-party vendor, with Palantir frequently mentioned as a potential collaborator.
Concerns Over Data Security
Concerns have been raised about the implications of such a system. An unnamed IRS employee expressed worries to Wired, stating that the setup would effectively serve as an “open door” to America’s most sensitive data, bypassing typical security protocols protecting this information.