In recent years, thousands of Nevadans have fallen victim to data breaches, and the situation is only worsening. As conservatives who believe in limited government, these issues should be a top priority. When government agencies fail to protect personal data, it erodes public trust, wastes taxpayer dollars, and creates avoidable security risks due to inadequate oversight.
Let’s begin with the IRS.
On Thursday, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) revealed yet another failure by the IRS to safeguard taxpayer information. In its report titled Improved Secure Document Safeguarding and Destruction Procedures Are Needed, TIGTA found that the IRS mishandled sensitive taxpayer files in the most basic ways.
Regulations require the IRS to “properly shred, burn, mulch, pulp, or pulverize sensitive documents beyond recognition and reconstruction.”
However, TIGTA discovered that the IRS was using open containers and damaged bins, allowing unauthorized access to discarded documents. In some cases, files were thrown into regular trash bins, leaving Social Security numbers and other sensitive information exposed to anyone who could gain access.
Despite receiving billions in taxpayer funds, the IRS claims it lacks the resources to conduct proper inspections.
This is both irresponsible and unacceptable.
The IRS is mocking you. pic.twitter.com/g8z0vOiNR0
— BrutalBrittany (@BrutalBrittany2) December 27, 2024
Similarly, Nevada has faced an alarming number of breaches:
Nevada has faced a disturbing number of data breaches in recent years:
- 2022: Hackers gained access to personal data from the Clark County School District, impacting teachers, students, graduates, and their families. Sensitive information, including medical records of 200,000 to 300,000 district students, was exposed. In response, parents sued the school district, accusing it of failing to address known vulnerabilities.
- 2021: A breach at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada compromised patient privacy, putting sensitive health information at risk.
- 2024: A cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a major provider of health data, affecting up to one-third of all Americans. further highlighting the growing threat to personal information.
- Last Month: Clark County “found” over 1,600 mail-in ballots after the election had already been called, raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process.
These breaches, both at the IRS and in Nevada, highlight the growing issue of mishandled sensitive data.
For conservatives who value privacy and a limited government, these failures are deeply troubling. They not only undermine trust but also squander taxpayer money.
In Nevada, the expansion of universal mail-in voting has sparked serious concerns about election security. Without adequate safeguards, mail-in ballots are susceptible to tampering or loss. This vulnerable voting system comes at a significant cost—$6.2 million in 2022 and $5.99 million in 2023—taxpayer dollars that could be better spent elsewhere.
For conservatives, election integrity is paramount.
If ballots can be “found” after an election is concluded, it casts doubt on the entire process. Mishandling sensitive data—whether it’s tax records or ballots—weakens public confidence in government institutions.
Another serious concern is accountability. The IRS has mishandled taxpayer data without facing meaningful consequences. In Nevada, while the law requires the state to notify residents of data breaches, there is little follow-up or accountability.
What’s needed is stronger laws, clearer consequences, and greater accountability.
Ultimately, data breaches harm taxpayers. We need smarter government spending and better oversight. While critics may call for more regulations, conservatives know that more government is not the solution. What we need are clearer standards, proper enforcement of existing rules, and genuine oversight.
Conservatives have the opportunity to push for stronger oversight, better data protection systems, and greater efficiency in government spending. We must hold agencies accountable and ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely.
Let’s not allow these costly failures to become the norm.