An unexpected adjustment in the United States Social Security system has set off alarms. Millions of records were deleted after a historic purge carried out by the government. Although it may seem like an internal operation with no visible consequences, this change directly affects thousands of people and aims to stop fraud that has cost millions.
What has the government done?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) carried out a massive cleanup in the files of the Social Security Administration (SSA). For more than two months, they reviewed and purged data that showed obvious errors: people supposedly alive at over 120 years old (over 394 ft.). Some even showed ages up to 169 years (554 ft.).
In total, more than 12.3 million records were deleted that, in theory, belonged to people who had died decades ago. Many of those files had never been updated and contained serious errors. This change aims to close the door to fraud and the misuse of Social Security numbers.
Why is it so important?
At first glance, it seems like a bureaucratic correction. In reality, it is a preventive measure against identity theft. Scammers use these inactive numbers to access credit, open bank accounts, and even apply for federal benefits.
In addition, keeping false data distorts official statistics. This complicates the planning of public policies and the allocation of resources. In short, it affects everyone: from taxpayers to people who depend on social benefits.
Mixed reactions
The measure was well received by public figures like Elon Musk, who praised it as a "common-sense government action." On social media, he called it a key step to modernize the system and reduce fraud.
However, some media outlets and experts criticized DOGE's management. The New York Times, for example, pointed out that the economic savings data published by the department were confusing, with supposed duplications and questionable figures.
Despite the criticism, the SSA's record cleanup hasn't faced direct opposition. It has made it clear that the system needs deeper reforms.
Toward a more modern and secure system
One of the major problems behind this situation is outdated technology. Many systems used by the SSA still run on old software, which allows errors like impossible ages or duplicate records.
That's why DOGE and SSA have announced that they will invest resources in updating the technological infrastructure. They will also integrate artificial intelligence tools and cross-verification between agencies to automatically detect errors.
In addition, they will continue investigating suspicious records, case by case, in collaboration with other government entities.