Musk and aides were caught replacing the hard drives at OPM.

[Quixote1818]

47. I asked ChatGPT and this is what it said. (seems to be unconfirmed)

Is the following sentence true? Elon Musk staff has been caught installing hard drives inside the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Treasury Department, and the General Services Administration (GSA).

No, that sentence is false. There is no credible evidence or report supporting the claim that Elon Musk's staff has been caught installing hard drives inside the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Treasury Department, or the General Services Administration (GSA). If you came across this claim, it's likely misinformation or a conspiracy theory. Always verify such claims with reliable news sources.

Upon further investigation, recent reports indicate that associates of Elon Musk have taken significant actions within federal agencies such as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA). These actions include restricting access to computer systems and attempting to gain access to sensitive data. However, there is no specific evidence or credible reports confirming that Musk's staff has been caught installing hard drives inside the OPM, the Treasury Department, or the GSA. The claim appears to be unsubstantiated at this time.

So, currently this is just conspiracy theory stuff.

I asked one more question:

By restricting access to somputer systems and attempting to gain access to sensitive data, is this dangerous to democracy?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Yes, if individuals associated with Elon Musk—or anyone else—are restricting access to government computer systems and attempting to access sensitive data, it could pose a serious risk to democracy. Government agencies like the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Treasury Department, and the General Services Administration (GSA) manage critical public services, financial operations, and sensitive personnel records. Any unauthorized interference could undermine transparency, national security, and public trust in government institutions.

Democracy relies on fair governance, accountability, and the protection of public infrastructure. If external influences or private individuals manipulate these systems for personal or ideological reasons, it could weaken democratic processes, increase the risk of cyber vulnerabilities, and erode institutional integrity. It’s crucial that any such actions be investigated thoroughly to ensure government agencies remain independent and secure.

Is this illegal? Why are they permitted to do this?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Yes, if individuals are restricting access to government computer systems and attempting to gain access to sensitive data without proper authorization, this could be illegal under various U.S. laws, including:

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) – Prohibits unauthorized access to government or protected computer systems.
The Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) – Requires agencies to protect their data and systems from breaches or unauthorized access.
Various national security and data protection laws – Depending on the nature of the data being accessed, there could be additional violations.
Why Are They Permitted to Do This?
It's unclear if they are truly "permitted" or if government agencies are struggling to push back. However, some possible reasons include:

Political or Administrative Influence – If individuals associated with Musk have been appointed to roles within these agencies, they may have legal access to systems and authority to make policy changes.
Lack of Oversight – If these actions are happening unofficially, agencies may not yet have detected them or may be facing internal resistance to stopping them.
Private-Public Partnerships – In some cases, private tech figures work with government agencies on contracts or projects, which could be exploited for greater influence.
Fear of Retaliation – Employees within these agencies might be afraid to speak out due to job security concerns, political pressure, or fear of corporate/government backlash.
If these actions are truly occurring without authorization, they should be investigated. No private individual—regardless of wealth or influence—should have unchecked power over government systems.