Jamie Raskin on Privacy Act
TL;DR
Jamie Raskin actively encourages citizens to use the Privacy Act to demand transparency regarding personal data held by DOGE.
Key Points
He submitted his own Privacy Act request to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to investigate what personal data the agency holds on him.
Raskin's office created a specific resource to help his Maryland's Eighth District constituents file their own Privacy Act requests against DOGE.
The representative is vocal on transparency and individual privacy rights, linking this action to broader efforts to hold government agencies accountable for data collection.
Summary
Jamie Raskin, as Maryland's Eighth District Representative and Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, is using the Privacy Act to question the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its leadership regarding the collection and use of Americans' personal data. He asserts that every American has the right to hold the government accountable and discover what information federal agencies possess about them, noting that filing a Privacy Act request is a key method for this inquiry. This advocacy follows a March 2025 court ruling which compelled DOGE to process a Freedom of Information Act request filed by a non-profit organization.
He has submitted his own Privacy Act request to DOGE to learn what data it may be holding on him personally. Raskin's office has provided assistance, including a request form, for his constituents in Maryland's Eighth District who wish to file similar requests, while advising others to contact their respective Members of Congress. His public stance emphasizes defending the legal privacy rights of all Americans against potential overreach by the new government efficiency department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jamie Raskin is a strong advocate for using the Privacy Act to scrutinize the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He urges citizens to file requests to know what personal data the agency has collected on them. His position stems from his role as a leading voice on oversight and civil liberties.
The Congressman actively promoted filing Privacy Act requests through his official website and social media channels. He shared information and even provided a form to assist constituents with submitting their specific demands for data access to DOGE. This effort was intended to generate public demand for government transparency.
His focus was prompted by concerns that DOGE, under the leadership of the appointed senior advisor, was accessing government data systems holding personal information about Americans. This perceived lack of transparency led him to use the existing legal framework of the Privacy Act to seek accountability.
Sources5
DOGE and the Privacy Act | Congressman Jamie Raskin
FOIA Request: How to Find Out Which Personal Data Was Taken by DOGE
ACTION: How Much of Your Personal Data does DOGE Have? File a Privacy Act Request! – NYC
DOGE Privacy Act Requests — Cornwall Democratic Committee
Jamie Raskin for Congress Privacy Policy
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.