DOGE employees – tech billionaire Elon Musk and his affiliates – have been granted access to sensitive personal and financial data, as well as other data critical for national security. This has created a national and international outcry, and serious concerns have been raised about data security, privacy and potential influence.

DOGE has been in the news for its role in cutting federal workers. Here's everything you need to know about it and how Elon Musk is involved.

Musk's role could be key in legal fight over DOGE's access to government data as the Trump administration moves to lay off thousands of federal workers.