DOGE employee leaks private xAI API key from sensitive database

• A security researcher has uncovered a worrying API key leak
• The leak reportedly comes from DOGE staffer Marko Elez
• This is not the first security issue originating from DOGE

A staffer with access to the personal data of millions of Americans has apparently leaked the API Key to at least four dozen LLMs developed by artificial intelligence company xAI, including X’s (formerly Twitter) own chatbot Grok.

Security expert Brian Krebs revealed Marko Elez, an employee at Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, had access to sensitive databases at the US Social Security Administration, Justice, and Treasury departments as part of DOGE’s work in 'streamlining' the departments to increase efficiency.

Ironically, researchers recently uncovered that a DOGE worker’s credentials were exposed by infostealing malware, so DOGE’s security record so far is less than impressive.