WASHINGTON, DC— Last week, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), cosponsored the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, landmark legislation to ensure U.S. private citizens’ data is not subject to reckless and unlawful interference. The bill is designed to prevent Elon Musk from accessing sensitive data from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems and was introduced by Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Haley Stevens (MI-11). 

“There’s no reason why Elon Musk should have access to the personal data of private U.S. citizens,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “That is why I cosponsored the Taxpayer Data Protection Act to limit access to this important data to people with specific experiences, security clearances and other qualifications, which Musk and his team currently lack.” 

The Taxpayer Data Protection Act will:

• Protect the nation’s payment system from reckless and unlawful interference. 
• Ensure that anyone accessing the system has lawful authorization and 
  • Has a reliable track-record of professional service 
  • Has the necessary security clearance 
  • Has made an ethics commitment and has no conflicts of interest 
  • Has appropriate cyber security training 
• Ensure that anyone who accesses the system with a personal financial conflict faces criminal penalties.
• Ensure that Congress and the public have notice of any unauthorized access and an assessment of any cyber and national security risks or interference with federal payments. 

Text of the legislation can be found here. 

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