Indian-Origin engineer Akash Bobba faces backlash over role in Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative

Akash Bobba, an Indian-origin engineer, is facing significant scrutiny for his involvement in Elon Musk’s new venture, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), amid allegations of mishandling access to classified government systems. The 22-year-old, known for his impressive resume, is part of a team of six engineers—ranging from 19 to 24 years old—who are working on an ambitious overhaul of government operations under Musk’s leadership.

Who Is Akash Bobba?

Bobba’s career trajectory has been fast-paced, with notable stints at tech giants like Meta and Palantir. Specializing in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and financial modeling, Bobba also participated in the prestigious Management Entrepreneurship Technology (MET) program at UC Berkeley. However, his appointment at DOGE has sparked controversy, with critics questioning the wisdom of entrusting such high-level responsibilities to a group of young, relatively inexperienced engineers.

Why Is He Being Targeted?

Criticism has been particularly harsh after it was revealed that Bobba and his colleagues hold official government emails and top-level security clearances—access usually reserved for more seasoned professionals. This has led to public outcry, especially on social media, with many users expressing concern over unelected young engineers gaining access to sensitive government data and systems.

Comments on social media have ranged from calls for legal action to outright ridicule, with some individuals demanding that Bobba and his colleagues be “blacklisted” from the tech industry. One user voiced concern, saying, "The private information of every American is now in the hands of six guys not old enough to rent a car."

Elon Musk’s Defense

In response to the growing backlash, Elon Musk defended his team, asserting that the attacks on his engineers are unlawful and could result in criminal charges for those making violent or threatening comments. Musk took to social media, sharing a statement condemning the online threats and reiterating that those who encourage harm would face legal consequences.

Musk also posted in support of the young engineers, pointing out that young talent has historically played key roles in the development of groundbreaking technologies, citing examples like NASA and Apple.

While the controversy continues to stir debate, Bobba and his team’s involvement in DOGE is likely to remain under the public’s microscope as the initiative moves forward.