Concerns mount as Musk's DOGE team uses AI to target anti-Trump sentiment

US government employees have raised concerns over Elon Musk's DOGE team using artificial intelligence (AI) to surveil communications within federal agencies, allegedly searching for any signs of hostility toward President Donald Trump.

The surveillance appears to focus on identifying employees whose actions or language are perceived as anti-Trump or anti-Musk, a move that has sparked significant concerns over privacy and government ethics, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

One source claimed that the DOGE team has been monitoring communication platforms like Microsoft Teams and the Signal app, with a particular focus on language that could be deemed disloyal to the administration. The use of Signal, which allows messages to disappear after a set period, raises alarms over potential violations of federal record-keeping laws, as messages are not saved for later review.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was reportedly informed by Trump-appointed officials that the AI system would be used to monitor employees' communications. The department has already faced scrutiny for a significant reduction in staff and budget, with nearly 600 employees placed on leave. The EPA, however, denied using AI for surveillance in its decision-making processes, although it acknowledged the potential benefits of AI for administrative efficiencies.

Kathleen Clark, a government ethics expert, expressed concern, stating, "If they’re using Signal and not backing up every message to federal files, then they are acting unlawfully." This use of AI in surveillance has also drawn criticism from various quarters, with many fearing the technology may be used to suppress speech or target political opponents.

Musk’s DOGE initiative, which aims to streamline government operations, has faced legal challenges over transparency, particularly regarding access to public records. A federal judge recently ordered the group to provide documents to ethics watchdog groups, but as of now, no records have been handed over. Critics argue that DOGE’s secrecy could undermine democratic processes and lead to potential abuses of power.

By Vafa Guliyeva