SNAP Privacy Lawsuit Targets USDA Over Data Demand/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Privacy and hunger relief advocates have sued the USDA over efforts to collect personal data from millions of SNAP recipients. The lawsuit claims the move violates federal privacy laws and targets vulnerable populations. Plaintiffs want the data request blocked and existing data destroyed.
SNAP Privacy Lawsuit + Quick Looks
- Lawsuit filed in D.C. challenges USDA’s demand for SNAP recipient data.
- Plaintiffs include privacy advocates, anti-hunger groups, and food aid recipients.
- USDA requested 5 years of personal data, including Social Security numbers.
- Complaint says USDA violated federal privacy laws, seeks to stop enforcement.
- Executive order signed by Trump in March directs agencies to access state program data.
- Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative involved, promoting data centralization.
- States warned of noncompliance penalties, some have already submitted data.
- Plaintiffs ask court to destroy collected data, prevent further access or penalties.
SNAP Privacy Lawsuit Targets USDA Over Data Demand
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — A coalition of privacy rights groups, hunger relief organizations, and food assistance recipients has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), challenging a Trump administration directive requiring states to submit detailed personal data of millions of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in Washington, D.C., argues the USDA’s request violates longstanding federal privacy laws and unjustly targets low-income Americans.
At the center of the case is a March 20 executive order signed by President Donald Trump, directing federal agencies to ensure “unfettered access” to comprehensive state program data in an effort to reduce fraud and inefficiency. That directive was quickly followed by demands from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, and the USDA, ordering states and benefit vendors to turn over extensive records.
These records include names, birth dates, addresses, and Social Security numbers of SNAP applicants and recipients dating back five years.
“Violation of Privacy and Trust”
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include:
- The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
- Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger
- National Student Legal Defense Network (NSLDN)
- Four individual SNAP recipients
“This lawsuit seeks to ensure that the government is not exploiting our most vulnerable citizens by disregarding longstanding privacy protections,” said Daniel Zibel, attorney with the NSLDN.
The plaintiffs argue that states, which handle SNAP eligibility screening and benefit distribution, maintain highly sensitive information — including financial, medical, housing, and tax records — that must be safeguarded.
“What the USDA is demanding is unprecedented and unlawful,” said Zibel. “It crosses a clear line.”
Some States Comply, Others Resist
According to the complaint, some states have already begun submitting the requested data. Alaska, for example, turned over the personal information of more than 70,000 residents. Others, like Iowa, have indicated they will comply soon.
States that fail to provide the data, the USDA warned, may face “noncompliance procedures,” which could include funding penalties or administrative actions.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to:
- Declare the USDA’s data request unlawful
- Order destruction of any data already submitted
- Prohibit punishment of states that refuse to comply
The White House has not responded to requests for comment.
SNAP’s Scale and Scope
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program serves over 42 million Americans, providing monthly funds for groceries to low-income individuals and families. While the federal government pays for the food benefits, states manage eligibility, enrollment, and administration, making them stewards of expansive personal data records.
Under Trump’s March executive order, agencies like the USDA were instructed to bypass “information silos” — long-standing rules that prevent agencies from sharing personal data between departments without clear legal authority.
Critics say that’s exactly the point of the lawsuit.
“This is about data centralization without due process,” said an EPIC spokesperson. “They are collecting names and Social Security numbers on millions of Americans without their knowledge or consent.”
A Broader Push for Federal Control
The case reflects broader trends under the Trump administration’s second term — namely, a consolidation of federal power under the guise of government efficiency. Led by Musk’s DOGE initiative, multiple agencies have pushed to dismantle perceived bureaucratic barriers, often at the cost of civil liberties or state sovereignty.
This lawsuit may be the first major legal test of the administration’s attempt to centralize social program data — a precedent-setting move that could influence how healthcare, housing, and unemployment assistance data is handled in the future.
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