Trump’s Tech Governance: Making Sense of the Administration’s First 30 Days

As the Trump administration concludes its first 30 days in office, three worrying trends emerge at the intersection of technology and democratic governance. New America’s Open Technology Institute has long championed democratically accountable tech policymaking, and over the past month, we have tracked federal actions that run counter to this objective:

1. The weakening of oversight of U.S. government surveillance
2. The elimination of institutions that protect American consumers and their data
3. Systematic efforts to access some of America’s most vital data systems without regard for individual privacy or data security

Major news outlets have shed light on the administration’s sweeping efforts to shut down agencies, fire inspectors general, and put senior officials on administrative leave. One move that has received less attention and has huge implications for Americans’ fundamental rights is the dismantling of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). This independent, bipartisan agency was created after 9/11 to ensure that counterterrorism activities “are balanced with the need to protect privacy and civil liberties.” The PCLOB can review classified information to assess whether America’s powerful intelligence and law enforcement agencies collect and use data in ways consistent with the laws that protect our rights.

On January 27, President Trump fired the three Democratic board members of the agency, leaving it without a quorum to take official action. Weakening this bipartisan agency could have long-term consequences beyond the tenure of this administration. As part of a coalition of civil society organizations, OTI has expressed that any “effort to destroy the PCLOB’s independence…raises significant concerns over how the executive’s surveillance powers could be misused by this or future administrations.” Eroding the PCLOB’s independence could also be commercially detrimental to Americans since the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework that permits transatlantic data transfers depends on the strength of U.S. protections for Europeans’ personal information. Invalidating the framework would significantly impact thousands of American companies—not just Big Tech—that transfer personal data out of the EU during their business dealings.

In addition to changes to the PCLOB, the administration also plans to make sweeping changes to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). In the absence of federal privacy laws, these and other agencies have been essential defenders of Americans’ privacy.

For example, the CFPB both holds financial companies accountable and protects American consumer data. This agency has supported government-wide efforts to prevent the sale of sensitive personal data by data brokers and pushed financial institutions to strengthen their practices to secure customers’ data. However, the Trump administration has moved to stop the CFPB’s work, put staff on leave, and fired technologists who provided invaluable expertise. Gutting the CFPB will cost ordinary Americans billions of dollars and eliminate important mechanisms for securing their data. This is representative of the administration’s broader goal of eliminating the independence of regulatory agencies, as stated via the executive order Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies.

The emergence of the U.S. DOGE Temporary Service Organization has created an alarmingly uncertain environment for the access and use of federal government data. Directed by tech executive Elon Musk, DOGE’s methods and lack of oversight in accessing federal agencies’ data raise serious concerns about privacy, government accountability, and potential law violations. DOGE employees have accessed data from various agencies, including the Department of Treasury, the Department of Education, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Most recently, DOGE is also reportedly attempting to access IRS and Social Security Administration data. These agencies’ systems contain highly sensitive information about millions of Americans—Social Security numbers, medical records, financial transactions, tax returns, and classified intelligence.

There is currently no transparency about DOGE’s efforts, which undermines public trust in the government’s ability to protect the private information it collects. Compounding these concerns is DOGE’s reported use of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze and process federal data, including personally identifiable information. Deploying AI without proper safeguards introduces significant security risks, including the possibility of cyberattacks, internal misuse, or even political exploitation.

OTI has championed the security and privacy of Americans’ data, and the stakes of this administration’s recent moves are high. They impact the rights of millions of Americans who expect their government to uphold laws protecting their personal information.

We will continue to raise awareness, highlight areas of concern, and produce research in service of tech policymaking that serves the people. OTI staff are also closely analyzing this new administration’s actions and how they impact the most vulnerable in our communities. Most recently, we’ve published:

• An analysis of how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) surveillance could fuel Trump’s plans for mass deportations
• A piece explaining how technical standards can help advance responsible tech governance even when federal agencies face less judicial review

In the coming months, we will produce work addressing urgent issues raised during this administration, including:

• The importance of greater transparency about federal data practices, surveillance, and technology use
• The need for meaningful transparency and consistency in reporting on federal agencies’ use of AI
• The need for secure, ethical, and data-driven approaches to documenting preventable deaths among women facing restrictions in access to reproductive health care

Given the rapid developments, OTI will prioritize advancing transparency, accountability, and fairness in tech policy.