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Apr 09, 2025

DOGE ditching tape storage could put data at risk, say experts | New Scientist

President Trump's DOGE team, headed by Elon Musk, claims to have saved $1 million by ditching 70-year-old tape data storage. But experts say the move will likely end up costing more in the long term

President Trump's DOGE team, headed by Elon Musk, claims to have saved $1 million by ditching 70-year-old tape data storage. But experts say the move will likely end up costing more in the long term and could put data at risk

By Matthew Sparkes

7 April 2025

Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump in the White House

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The US government task force known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims it has saved $1 million by switching away from storing data on tape. But experts say that the move is difficult to understand, will likely save no money, and will put data more at risk.

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Cybersecurity experts fear Elon Musk's DOGE may enable quantum hackers

Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, DOGE, headed by billionaire Elon Musk, has slashed government budgets across the board. NASA was made to cancel projects,…

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