Musk’s DOGE Dismisses Tech Team Behind Free Tax Site

### Speedy Summary

– The Trump administration has disbanded 18F,a team of tech-savvy civil servants involved in IRS’s free tax-filing service and government website improvements.
– Approximately 90 employees were locked out of their devices, deemed “non-critical.”
– This move aligns with executive orders from the “department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative.”
– Elon Musk, leading this department, termed 18F a “far-left” group and confirmed its termination.
– Originally formed under president Obama in 2014, 18F aimed too enhance digital services across federal agencies.
– Despite the team’s disbandment, the IRS’s free direct-file tax website remains operational.
– Reports suggest a push from Musk’s team to use personal tax records to detect benefit fraud.
– Ther is ongoing contention over IRS providing home addresses for about 700,000 undocumented immigrants desired for deportation by Homeland Security.

### Indian Opinion Analysis

The disbandment of the 18F team represents a significant shift in how federal digital services might potentially be handled. Such restructuring could impact efficiency and innovation within government technological initiatives. This decision reflects broader administrative priorities under the current government aiming at optimization but raises concerns about maintaining service quality without these dedicated resources.

Further implications involve privacy debates as attempts to use personal data intensify. The resistance from the IRS regarding sharing details with Homeland Security underscores ongoing tensions between departments over data sharing policies. Such developments highlight critical intersections between technology policy and civil liberties that require careful navigation.[Read More](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/elon-musks-doge-fires-federal-tech-team-that-built-free-tax-filing-site/articleshow/118657279.cms)