Concerns are growing about the actions of the DOGE team, a group associated with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). A whistleblower has come forward, suggesting that this team may have mishandled sensitive data related to union organizing and labor complaints. This revelation has caught the attention of lawmakers, prompting calls for an investigation.
Rep. Stephen Lynch, a Democrat from Massachusetts and the acting ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, is leading the charge. He has written to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, requesting information about a staff member’s activity on a Microsoft-owned site. Lynch claims this individual used "bespoke code" to remove data from a vital case management system used by the NLRB. He argues that this could be part of a broader effort to conceal potentially harmful activities.
In his letter, Lynch highlights the whistleblower’s claims that DOGE staffers have deleted system logs and created backdoors in the NLRB’s case management system. This would allow them to extract large amounts of data without detection. The whistleblower, Daniel Berulis, noted a project titled "NxGenBdoorExtract" on a DOGE engineer’s GitHub account, which suggests an effort to design a backdoor into the NLRB’s system. However, the project was made private before further investigation could take place.
This situation comes on the heels of a significant data breach. Reports indicate that roughly 10 gigabytes of data left the NLRB’s system shortly before a notable spike in outbound network traffic. The implications of this incident are serious, as it raises questions about the safety of sensitive information related to workers’ rights and union activities.
Lynch’s request for information is part of a broader effort by House Democrats to address these troubling disclosures. They are concerned that mishandling sensitive worker data could expose individuals to retaliation for engaging in union activities. The NLRB’s inspector general has already launched an inquiry into these claims.
As the investigation unfolds, lawmakers are calling for transparency and accountability. They are urging the NLRB and the Labor Department to look into the whistleblower’s allegations and the actions of the DOGE team. The outcome of this situation could have significant implications for labor rights and the protection of sensitive information in the workplace.