Two federal employees have filed a lawsuit against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to block a controversial new email system. The lawsuit sheds light on actions raising eyebrows across the federal workforce, with employees voicing concerns about privacy, security, and ethics.
Here’s what’s going on and why it matters.
A Strange Email and a Bigger Puzzle
Last Thursday, OPM sent out an unexpected email announcing a “new capability” to reach all federal employees. Typically, such messages would come from an agency’s human resources department. This sudden shift felt unusual and sparked questions about the intent behind the move.
The intrigue deepened when a Reddit post—supposedly from an OPM employee—claimed that after a career employee refused to set up a new communication line, a server was mysteriously installed in their office. The Redditor alleged that responses to the email were being funneled directly to Amanda Scales, OPM’s chief of staff and a former employee at Elon Musk’s AI company.
Why This Matters: Privacy and Security Concerns
Federal employees worry this new system may violate the E-Government Act of 2002, which requires thorough Privacy Impact Assessments before storing personal data. OPM has a rocky history here, having suffered a major hack in the past, exposing sensitive employee information.
Kel McClanahan, from the non-profit National Security Counselors, pointed out the risks.
“They haven’t given anyone any assurance this system is secure. Employees deserve to know their information won’t be mishandled or hacked,” McClanahan said.
Adding to the alarm, OPM reportedly asked agencies to provide a list of employees still within their one-year probationary period—individuals who are easier to terminate. These actions have left many federal workers wondering if the system is part of a broader plan to restructure the federal workforce.
What’s Amanda Scales’ Role?
Here’s where things get even more complicated. Amanda Scales, now OPM’s chief of staff, previously worked for Elon Musk. Musk himself has been tapped to lead the Department on Government Efficiency (DOGE), a group focused on shrinking the federal government’s size and budget.
Scales’ involvement has raised questions about whether this email system is part of a larger effort. DOGE and OPM have already been tasked with finding ways to reduce the federal workforce through “efficiency improvements and attrition,” according to a Trump-era executive order.
Is This About Building a Master Database?
McClanahan speculates that OPM might be trying to create a comprehensive database of federal employees by piecing together smaller department-managed systems.
“They’re effectively asking everyone who gets the email to respond, creating a unified list in the process,” he said.
What Happens Next?
For now, the lawsuit puts a spotlight on OPM’s actions and their potential implications for federal employees’ privacy and security. OPM has declined to comment on the case, but federal workers and privacy advocates are keeping a close eye on how this unfolds.
This situation isn’t just about emails—it’s about trust, transparency, and protecting the rights of government employees. As the legal battle heats up, one thing is clear: federal workers deserve answers.
