The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has paused its controversial request for sensitive personal data from states regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. This decision comes after a coalition of advocacy groups filed a lawsuit arguing that the USDA’s demand violated federal privacy laws.
The USDA had initially instructed states to collect and submit detailed information about individuals who had received SNAP benefits over the past five years. This included names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and addresses. The agency’s directive aimed to align with President Donald Trump’s executive order from March, which emphasized the need for federal agencies to access data from state programs to combat waste and fraud.
However, the USDA’s plan faced pushback, leading to legal action from various groups concerned about privacy and the implications of such data collection. In court filings, a USDA official confirmed that the agency had not yet begun to collect this data and indicated that the request was on hold while the necessary legal and procedural safeguards were established.
Shiela Corley, a USDA official, stated that the agency had instructed Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) processors to refrain from sending any data until it could ensure compliance with privacy laws. This pause gives states and advocacy groups time to assess the situation and respond to the USDA’s request.
In recent months, some states had prepared to comply with the USDA’s demands, raising alarms among privacy advocates. The lawsuit argues that the USDA’s request was not only unlawful but also lacked proper procedures for data collection. The plaintiffs are pushing for a halt to the data request, claiming that it is arbitrary and capricious.
The USDA’s communication about the pause in data collection comes amid ongoing discussions about the privacy implications of such requests. The agency is required to follow the Privacy Act, which mandates public notice and comment when collecting personal data. Corley noted that the USDA was in the final stages of developing a new System of Record Notice (SORN) to comply with these regulations.
This legal battle highlights the tension between government efforts to access data for enforcement purposes and the rights of individuals to protect their personal information. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for how government agencies handle sensitive data in the future.
As the situation develops, advocates for SNAP recipients continue to monitor the USDA’s actions closely. With over 40 million people relying on SNAP benefits each month, the stakes are high, and the conversation around privacy and data collection is more relevant than ever.