Teen on Elon Musk’s DOGE Team Linked to Cybercrime Community Raises Security Concerns
In a recent report by Wired, it was revealed that a 19-year-old member of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had been granted access to sensitive U.S. government systems, despite a questionable background tied to cybercrime communities. The young technologist, Edward Coristine, is said to have been an active participant in ‘The Com,’ a decentralized network of Discord and Telegram channels known for fostering cybercriminal collaboration. This revelation has sparked significant concerns about the vetting process for individuals entrusted with access to critical government data.
Since the beginning of President Trump’s second term, Musk’s DOGE team has rapidly expanded its reach, gaining control over vast amounts of personal and sensitive information from various federal agencies, including the U.S. Treasury, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The team’s swift acquisition of such access has raised eyebrows, particularly in light of Coristine’s past associations. Wired’s investigation uncovered that Coristine, who goes by the online alias “Big Balls,” founded Tesla.Sexy LLC at just 16 years old. This company manages numerous web domains, including some registered in Russia, one of which hosts an AI bot service called Helfie, targeting the Russian market. While operating a Russian website doesn’t violate U.S. sanctions, it could raise red flags during a security clearance review.
Further digging into Coristine’s background revealed that he had solicited a DDoS-for-hire service in 2022 under a Telegram handle linked to his identity. Interestingly, he also briefly worked at Path Networks, a company specializing in DDoS protection. Path Networks has a history of employing individuals with controversial pasts, including former cybercriminals. Coristine’s tenure at the company was short-lived, as he was reportedly fired for leaking internal documents to a competitor. This incident, along with his ties to cybercrime communities, casts doubt on the adequacy of the security clearance process that allowed him access to sensitive government systems.
The Com, often compared to a cybercriminal street gang, is notorious for its culture of harassment, swatting, and hacking. Members frequently target one another, either for financial gain or to assert dominance. This environment makes it exceedingly difficult for individuals to leave the community without facing ongoing threats and retaliation. Experts argue that such associations should disqualify individuals from obtaining security clearances, as they pose a significant risk of extortion or coercion. Despite these concerns, Coristine’s involvement with DOGE highlights potential gaps in the vetting process, especially given the speed at which the team was granted access to critical databases.
The situation has drawn widespread attention, with members of The Com openly discussing Coristine’s past and questioning his qualifications. In online forums, they mocked his technical skills and even contemplated reporting him to authorities for alleged fraudulent activities. Meanwhile, the broader implications of DOGE’s unchecked access to sensitive data have prompted legal challenges from multiple parties, including state attorneys general and employee unions. As the debate over national security and data privacy intensifies, the case of Edward Coristine serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with inadequate oversight in the digital age.
This unfolding story underscores the need for rigorous scrutiny of individuals granted access to sensitive government systems, particularly in an era where cybercrime and data breaches pose ever-growing threats. The DOGE team’s rapid expansion and the controversies surrounding its members highlight the delicate balance between efficiency and security in the modern world.