Elon Musk’s DOGE accused of AI surveillance on US federal workers

Grok, Musk’s AI chatbot, is also being utilized by DOGE to assist with government reforms and spending cuts, though critics argue its vague implementation and limited oversight could open the door to political exploitation

A high-level US government taskforce backed by tech billionaire Elon Musk is reportedly using artificial intelligence to monitor internal communications within at least one American federal agency. The revelations have sparked fresh debate around the ethical use of AI in governance and its implications for transparency and civil liberties—topics of growing global interest, including in India.

According to reports citing people familiar with the matter, officials associated with the Trump administration have informed certain employees at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that their internal communication channels may be monitored by AI systems deployed by Musk’s special team, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The technology is reportedly being used to detect messages considered critical of President Donald Trump or Musk, raising concerns over political bias and surveillance.

The team has also been reportedly communicating through the encrypted messaging app Signal, known for its privacy features and ability to delete messages after a set period. Experts, as per reports, say this raises potential violations of US federal record-keeping laws, which require the preservation of all official government communications.

AI ethics concerns spark debate

Kathleen Clark, a legal scholar and government ethics expert at Washington University in St. Louis, stated that the use of disappearing messages in a public office context is problematic. “If they are not archiving every message, they may be violating US law,” she said.

Sources reportedly also revealed that Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, is being used by DOGE to support government reforms and cost-cutting initiatives. However, there is limited clarity on how the AI is being implemented or what specific roles it plays in shaping federal decisions. Critics warn that without proper oversight, such tools could be misused for political or personal gain.

The EPA, responsible for enforcing environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, has reportedly undergone significant operational changes in recent months, with over 600 employees placed on administrative leave and proposals made to cut 65% of its annual budget. While the agency issued a statement acknowledging the use of AI for administrative improvements, it denied that AI tools are being used for staffing decisions or in collaboration with DOGE for surveillance.