A 19-year-old member of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency , Edward Coristine, was previously terminated from an internship at Path Network, a cybersecurity firm, for allegedly leaking proprietary information to a competitor. In a June 2022 communication, a Path Network executive stated that Coristine had been dismissed due to the unauthorized disclosure of internal data, emphasizing the company’s zero-tolerance policy towards such breaches.
Following his departure from Path Network, Coristine reportedly boasted on a Discord channel about retaining access to the company’s servers, though he claimed he never exploited this access. Despite this incident, Coristine secured a position within DOGE, a team assembled by Musk to streamline federal operations. His role within DOGE has granted him access to sensitive government systems, including human resources and payment infrastructures.
Coristine’s appointment has raised concerns due to his limited professional experience and the circumstances surrounding his previous dismissal. Critics argue that entrusting significant governmental responsibilities to individuals with such backgrounds poses security risks. Additionally, questions have been raised about the vetting processes employed in selecting DOGE team members, especially given Coristine’s prior association with data breaches.
