Key Points
- Grok, Musk’s AI tool, is reportedly being used by federal employees without full authorization or oversight.
- DOGE staff allegedly pressured DHS to adopt Grok, raising legal and ethical concerns. Sensitive government data may be exposed.
- Ethics experts warn of a conflict of interest due to Musk’s ties to Grok and his federal role.
- Government watchdogs and privacy advocates are calling for accountability and investigation.
Billionaire Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is reportedly being used within the U.S. federal government by his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team to analyze government data. According to sources familiar with the matter, this move may violate conflict-of-interest laws and threaten the security of sensitive citizen information.
Three individuals with knowledge of DOGE’s activities revealed that a customized version of Grok is being used to ask questions, prepare reports, and analyze data. Two sources added that DOGE staff encouraged officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use Grok despite its lack of official approval.
Grok was developed by xAI, a Musk-owned venture, and may give Musk access to nonpublic federal data, potentially benefiting his private companies like Tesla and SpaceX. Ethics experts say this could create an unfair competitive advantage and raise serious privacy concerns, especially if Grok is trained in using sensitive government information.
Musk, the White House, and xAI did not respond to requests for comment. DHS denied that DOGE pressured staff to use Grok. Still, privacy advocates fear DOGE’s access to protected databases could lead to data leakage, misuse, or surveillance.
DOGE has previously overseen mass federal layoffs and data centralization efforts. Now, sources report the team is attempting to use AI tools, including Grok, to flag federal employees who are not “loyal” to former President Trump’s political agenda — potentially violating civil service laws.
The DOGE initiative is reportedly led by Kyle Schutt and Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old known online as “Big Balls.” Meanwhile, some Department of Defense employees were recently told that AI tools monitored their computer activity, although the Pentagon denies DOGE’s involvement in surveillance operations.
Experts say if Musk personally directed Grok’s federal use, it may breach criminal conflict-of-interest laws. Even if he didn’t, the situation still creates a troubling appearance of self-dealing, calling for immediate oversight.
