Filing taxes is always a headache, but this year we are facing a much more alarming concern. Billionaire Elon Musk is attempting to gain access to IRS computer systems holding the most sensitive personal information of U.S. taxpayers. His actions could lead to one of the largest and most damaging data breaches in American history.

If Musk’s rogue DOGE organization gains access to IRS data, there is a real risk that the information will be leaked. Ordinary citizens may find that their personal financial data has been made public. Perceived critics of the Trump administration – politicians, journalists, activists, or even ordinary Americans could face audits and investigations.

There also are serious national security risks. IRS data includes highly sensitive financial records of individuals, businesses, and political leaders – prime targets for foreign adversaries. If the DOGE employees don’t use proper security protocols while accessing government databases, foreign hackers could steal financial data and use it to blackmail American citizens and public figures. It’s possible they could even use corporate tax data to disrupt the U.S. economy.

This is not a partisan issue, but a fundamental concern that affects both Republicans and Democrats alike. The risks of giving Elon Musk and DOGE full access to Americans’ most sensitive financial information are too great to ignore..

JESSICA A. SITKO

Lewisburg

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom