Federal employees have filed a class action lawsuit seeking to disconnect an allegedly illegal server installed at the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) headquarters in Washington, DC. The lawsuit claims associates of Elon Musk operated the unauthorized server, potentially exposing sensitive government worker data.
Two anonymous federal workers filed a motion for a temporary restraining order through National Security Counselors, a DC-area public interest law firm. The motion argues the server violates federal law and could leak personal information through unsecured email channels.
The January 27 lawsuit follows reports that Musk's associates connected a server to government networks to collect federal employee data, including names and email addresses. The complaint alleges OPM failed to conduct mandatory privacy assessments required by the 2002 E-Government Act before installation.
The server enables mass emails to federal workers through a single account (HR@opm.gov), a capability OPM previously lacked. This account has been used to promote a "deferred resignation program" asking employees to voluntarily quit while supposedly continuing to receive pay through September.
"We are witnessing an unprecedented exfiltration and seizure of the most sensitive kinds of information by unelected, unvetted people with no experience, responsibility, or right to it," said Sean Vitka of Demand Progress Education Fund, which supports the legal action.
If granted, the restraining order would force OPM to disconnect the server until proper privacy assessments are completed. This could delay the Trump administration's workforce reduction plans, as the resignation program expires February 6.
The case highlights broader concerns about data security at OPM, which suffered a major breach in 2015 affecting over 22 million people. The situation is complicated by President Trump's recent firing of OPM's inspector general amid the ongoing controversy.
OPM has not yet responded to requests for comment about the lawsuit and allegations.