FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 5, 2025

Contact: Cheri Hardmon

HardmonC@Michigan.gov

Statement from Secretary Benson in support of federal lawsuit to protect American workers' private data

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson today made the following statement in support of a lawsuit filed by the AFL-CIO and allied labor groups to protect Americans' private data:

"Every American must be able to trust their government to protect their personal information. The Michigan Department of State is responsible for the data privacy and security of more than 8 million Michiganders’ records. I take that charge very seriously. During my administration, we’ve reviewed and updated hundreds of data-sharing agreements, some of which had not been reevaluated in over a quarter of a century. We’ve also overhauled aging data systems and improved cybersecurity practices and monitoring.

"At the federal level, when Elon Musk and a handful of other unelected associates breach the secure systems protecting the private data of hundreds of millions of Americans, they betray the trust taxpayers place in their elected leaders to safeguard their personal information. This makes us all less safe. 

"I’m grateful that the AFL-CIO and allied labor groups have sued to protect American workers’ private data. I will never stop fighting to make sure all Michiganders continue to have a government they can trust to follow the law."

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