A coalition of 13 Democratic attorneys general from across the United States has announced plans to file a lawsuit against Elon Musk's team, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), over their access to sensitive federal government payment systems containing personal data on millions of Americans. The lawsuit aims to block Musk's team from further accessing these systems, citing concerns over the protection of citizens' privacy and national security.

The planned lawsuit comes on the heels of Musk's team gaining access to top U.S. government departments and datasets, including systems containing personal information of individuals who receive Social Security checks, tax returns, and other payments from the federal government. Historically, these systems were limited to a few departmental career staffers due to the sensitivity of the data. However, Musk's team, comprised of mostly young, private sector associates from his various businesses, has now gained control of key federal agencies, including the U.S. Treasury, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The attorneys general, representing states such as California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, and New York, expressed concerns over the potential risks to national security and the privacy of Americans. They argue that Musk's extensive business dealings in China create conflicts of interest, and that his team's access to sensitive data poses a significant threat to the country's security.

While the U.S. does not provide nationwide data protections for Americans, individual states have established laws that require the protection of their residents' data, including at the federal government level. The lawsuit aims to uphold these state-level protections and ensure that the federal government is held accountable for safeguarding citizens' personal information.

Elon Musk, the world's richest man with a net worth of over $400 billion, has not commented on the planned lawsuit. However, the move by the coalition of attorneys general highlights the growing concerns over the increasing influence of private sector entities in government affairs and the need for stronger data protection measures at the federal level.

The lawsuit's outcome could have far-reaching implications for the way the federal government handles sensitive data and the role of private sector entities in government affairs. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the courts will rule on the matter and what measures will be taken to ensure the protection of Americans' personal data.