Nancy Altman, President of the political advocacy group, Social Security Works, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Social Security Administration data breach, the potential appointment of a new Social Security commissioner and the need for public engagement.
Altman details about the Social Security Administration data breach. She claimed the Trump administration, through a group they created known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), gained unprecedented access to the sensitive personal information of millions of Americans. The breach, according to Altman, included medical records, spouse information and even data related to witness protection programs. She stated that this level of access could lead to severe security risks and potential misuse of data.
The potential appointment of Frank Bisignano as Social Security commissioner raised serious concerns for Altman. She described Bisignano as someone with no experience in Social Security Administration, coming from a Wall Street background. Altman warned that Bisignano's approach, which involves firing employees and replacing them with artificial intelligence, could destabilize the system and make it harder for Americans to access their benefits. She discussed the importance of maintaining the efficiency and integrity of the Social Security system, which currently operates with minimal administrative costs.
Altman stressed the urgent need for public engagement to protect Social Security. She called for citizens to contact their representatives daily, demanding oversight and protection of their personal data. Altman also highlighted the importance of expanding Social Security benefits, noting that the program's only shortcoming is that its benefits are too low. She urged listeners to join hands-off rallies, sign petitions and stay informed about potential threats to the program.
For more insights from Altman, listen to the full episode above.