"Shrouded in secrecy" DOGE cant use student loan data to dismantle the Education Dept., lawsuit says Students don't want loan data used in AI probe to slash DOE, according to lawsuit. Ashley Belanger Feb 7, 2025 2:23 pm | 48 Credit: Bloomberg / Contributor | Bloomberg Credit: Bloomberg / Contributor | Bloomberg Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThe Department of Education (DOE) was sued Friday by a California student association demanding an "immediate stop" to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) "unlawfully" digging through student loan data to potentially dismantle DOE."The scale of the intrusion into individuals privacy is enormous and unprecedented," the lawsuit said.According to the University of California Student Association (UCSA)which has over 230,000 undergraduate students as membersmore than 42 million people in the US have federal student loans and face privacy risks, if DOGE's access to their information isn't blocked. Additionally, parents and spouses of loan borrowers share private financial information with the DOE that could also be at risk, the lawsuit alleged.The lawsuit cites public reporting from anonymous sources familiar with DOGE's activity that suggests "roughly 20 people affiliated with DOGE" are working within DOE in efforts "shrouded in secrecy."These DOGE employees, sources told The Washington Post, do not disclose their last names and use personal email addresses viewed as less secure than government email addresses. That seemingly violates security protocols, DOE officials have warned.An expert on constitutional law, Blake Emerson, told the Post that DOGE seems to be acting as a "shadow executive branch" operating "outside of the channels the Constitution and the statutes that Congress authorized."However, so far Congress has not intervened, despite the Constitution giving spending power to Congress, the Post noted, not temporary agencies created by the executive branch, like DOGE.Some Democrats sent a letter Wednesday raising alarms about DOGE's work at DOE, describing "serious concerns" that DOGE's work is supporting a "broader plan to dismantle the federal government until it is unable to function and meet the needs of the American people." The Democrats demanded a response detailing who at DOGE has access to DOE databases and to what end, requesting answers by Friday. But it's unclear if DOGE has intentions to respond on that timeline, and Republicans ultimately have control of both chambers of Congress and seem hesitant to intervene, the Post reported.The lawsuit could increase pressure on DOE to increase transparency of DOGE operations. Perhaps most urgently troubling to students, the lawsuit suggested, is reporting suggesting that DOGE's employees are feeding their loan data into artificial intelligence (AI) systems to identify ways to slash the DOE. That effort could expose Americans to cybersecurity risks and perhaps even help Donald Trump follow through on his promise to "kill" DOE, one source told The Washington Post.Students never consented to that, the complaint said, while alleging that the DOE has "acknowledged" that handing "over access to financial aid records to DOGE" is "unlawful.""People who take out federal student loans to afford higher education should not be forced to share their sensitive information with 'DOGE,'" the lawsuit said. "And federal law says they do not have to."Because DOE's actions have allegedly "harmed UCSAs members""by depriving them of the privacy protections guaranteed to them by federal law and, consequently, the ability to decide for themselves whether DOGE should be able to obtain and use their personal data for unknown reasons," including to potentially "shut down" DOEthey are entitled to a temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunction, the lawsuit said.UCSA also asked the court to order DOGE to return any records that students did not authorize to be accessed by third parties outside the DOE. Students also want DOGE enjoined from any future access to their records without their consent.The student association is represented by Public Citizen Litigation Group, the same legal group helping Americans sue the Treasury Department over DOGE access to federal payment systems. If the lawsuit follows a similar trajectory as the Treasury Department suit, a US district court judge assigned to the DOE case may insist that DOE finally identify all DOGE employees currently accessing education databases like StudentAid.gov.DOGE's alleged AI probe of DOE recordsSources told The Washington Post that Musk's DOGE plans to use AI software to "probe" DOE's "programs and spending." DOGE apparently plans to feed personally identifiable information of people who both manage grants and other DOE financial data, as well as people receiving federal funding, into the AI software to "hunt" for spending cuts.Microsoft declined to comment, but allegedly the DOGE employees are "using AI software accessed through Microsofts cloud computing service Azure to pore over every dollar of money the department disburses, from contracts to grants to work trip expenses," one source told the Post.The lawsuit noted that several DOE employees have tried to block DOGE's access by raising red flags up the command chain, but DOE leadership directly instructed lower-level employees to grant DOGE access, the same source alleged.A big concern is that DOGE funneling education data into AI systems will cause sensitive data to be stored in a way that makes it more vulnerable to cyberattacks or data breaches. Another issue could be the AI system being error-prone or potentially hallucinating data that is driving decisions on major DOE cuts.On Thursday, a DOE deputy assistant secretary for communications, Madi Biedermann, issued a statement insisting that DOGE employees are federal employees who have undergone background checks to be granted requisite security clearances."There is nothing inappropriate or nefarious going on," Biedermann said.Trump has similarly waved away concerns over DOGE's work at DOE and other departments that officials worry are experiencing a "blitz" of seemingly unlawful power grabs, the Post reported. On Monday, Trump told reporters that "if there's a conflict" with DOGE accessing Americans' data, "then we wont let him get near it." But seemingly until Trump agrees there's a conflict, Musk's work with DOGE must go on, Trump said."Were trying to shrink government, and he can probably shrink it as well as anybody else, if not better," Trump suggested.While thousands of Americans are suing, confused over whether they need to urgently protect their private financial data, one DOE staffer told the Post that DOGE "is working with almost unbelievable speed." The staffer ominously suggested that it may already be too late to protect Americans from invasive probes or defend departments against cuts."They have a playbook, which is to get access to the data, the staffer told the Post. And once theyre in, its already over."Ashley BelangerSenior Policy ReporterAshley BelangerSenior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 48 Comments

Apple offers encryption to its customers, but the UK government wants to break itMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesThe UK government has reportedly made an unprecedented demand for Apple to grant it access to data stored by any customer, anywhere in the world, even if it is encrypted. The request, first reported by The Washington Post, means Apple will either be forced comply, or else withdraw its encrypted services from the UK. Both outcomes are likely to be harmful for ordinary Apple customers.How is the UK able to make this request?According to The Washington Post, the request has

A woman with a hand amputation wore the prosthetic for several hours, which enabled her to pick objects upHao Yang/University of Science and Technology of ChinaA lightweight prosthetic hand that can move almost as freely as a human hand can help wearers carry out intricate tasks, such as tying knots, combing hair and playing chess.To replicate the dexterity of a human hand, most commercial prosthetics use electric motors or compressed air systems, which can make the system heavy and uncomfortable to wear for too long.

I really like the new muffins available in the bakery.Costco introduced new muffin flavors like lemon raspberry. Veronica Thatcher In many warehouses, Costco's muffins recently received a major makeover. Previously, customers could find jumbo muffins in the bakery that had to be purchased in packs of two. Now, however, Costco has single-pack gourmet muffins available. In my opinion, these super-moist muffins are just as delicious as their predecessors. They also come in new flavors like lemon raspberry, triple chocolate, blueberries and cream, pumpkin streusel, and cinnamon chip. In my opinion, Costco is the best place to shop for eggs right now.Eggs have been flying off the shelves at my store. Veronica Thatcher It's no secret that eggs are expensive nowadays, so I've seen customers flocking to Costco to pick up bulk cartons and save some money.Customers at my location have been lining up before the doors even open, and typically, the eggs sell out by noon.Costco carries eggs in a few different sizes, and prices vary by location, but I typically like to grab two dozen for $7.70.The Disney spring decorative village is adorable.The Disney spring decorative village comes with figurines of lots of iconic characters. Veronica Thatcher Disney fans will love this adorable decorative spring village set, which comes with four houses and lots of character figurines. The houses even light up and play music.Enjoy a refreshing beverage at home with the Starbucks Pink Drink.The Starbucks Pink Drink comes in a strawberry-acai flavor and is made with coconut milk. Veronica Thatcher This month, Costco is helping customers enjoy the popular Starbucks Pink Drink at home. The strawberry-acai drink has notes of passion fruit and creamy coconut milk, and is refreshing at any time of year. Each box contains 12 8-ounce drinks.The Suja Organic wellness shots contain vitamins and probiotics.The Suja Organic Immunity shots are vegan and gluten-free. Veronica Thatcher The Suja Organic Immunity shots are great if you're looking to get your probiotics and vitamins in one convenient drink. Even better, these wellness shots are organic, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free.The Greenfield Natural Meat Co. lunch kit is great for snacking.The Greenfield Natural Meat Co. lunch kits come with meat, cheese, crackers, and cookies. Veronica Thatcher If you're looking for a quick and easy lunch, I recommend checking out this lunch kit from Greenfield Natural Meat Co. Each box contains six lunch kits with meat, cheese, crackers, and cookies.These delicious and convenient kits are ideal for school, picnics, or on-the-go snacks. I was excited to grab the Trudeau silicone muffin pans.The Trudeau silicone muffin pans are dishwasher safe. Veronica Thatcher I was excited to see these Trudeau silicone muffin pans at Costco and knew I had to get my hands on a two-pack. The muffin pans are crafted from high-quality silicone, making it easy to release your baked goods. They're even dishwasher safe, so clean-up is a breeze. My store has been selling out of the BuzzBallz Biggies.My store has the BuzzBallz Biggies in margarita and berry-cherry limeade flavors. Veronica Thatcher The BuzzBallz Biggies have been flying off the shelves at my store. I've seen them in two flavors: margarita and berry-cherry limeade. These giant BuzzBallz are ready-to-drink products that can be enjoyed chilled or over ice and contain 15% alcohol by volume. The Fairlife protein shakes are great to enjoy after a workout.Each Fairlife Nutrition Plan shake contains 30 grams of protein. Veronica Thatcher Fairlife's Nutrition Plan shakes are one of the hottest-selling protein items at my store. Each bottle contains 30 grams of protein and 2 grams of sugar per serving. I think these lactose-free drinks make a great post-workout snack.

My least favorite burger came from TGI Fridays.The burger came on a brioche bun and had a side of fries. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I ordered the cheeseburger at the restaurant I visited in Massachusetts. It cost $12.49, excluding taxes and fees, and came with a side of french fries.I live in New York City, but I had to travel further afield to try the chain's burger because many of my local TGI Fridays restaurants have closed.In early November, the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and Reuters reported that it was facing $37 million in debt, which led to some underperforming restaurants closing.The TGI Fridays location I visited in Massachusetts is locally franchised and owned, so it's not included in the larger brand's bankruptcy filing.The cheeseburger was topped with two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and red onion.The burger didn't automatically come with any sauce. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The burger, like the other burgers I tried in this taste test, was served on a brioche bun. When I lifted the burger to examine the toppings, I noticed that the very soft bun had partially stuck to the melted cheese.This wasn't necessarily a knock on its own, but adding a sauce or butter to the bun could have made it less dry.There's no sauce on the burger, but there's ketchup provided on every table, or you could request mustard or ketchup on it if you desired. However, I tried it completely on its own.The burger was a touch overdone, even though I ordered it medium.I thought the burger was slightly overdone. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I requested my burger to be cooked medium, but it came out closer to well-done and was quite dry. That said, I did enjoy the flavor of the meat, which I found to be peppery and well-seasoned.The sliced tomato tasted fairly fresh, but I found the lettuce limp and forgettable. The burger had a generous serving of pickles and onions, which I enjoyed. However, overall, I found this burger to be lacking in flavor, and a layer of sauce could have gone a long way.The fries were also well-seasoned, and I enjoyed them.Next up was the Oldtimer with cheese from Chili's.The Oldtimer can be ordered with or without cheese. Erin McDowell/Business Insider At the Massachusetts location I visited, the most classic cheeseburger on Chili's menu cost $13.29, plus tax.Though Chili's is not primarily a burger restaurant, burgers are a major part of the brand's strategy, which appears to be working."Over the past two and a half years, we've removed around a quarter of our menu to focus on our core four offerings: burgers, crispers, fajitas, and margaritas, which now represent 47% of our business," Kevin Hochman, the president and CEO of Chili's parent company Brinker International Inc., said in October.In the chain's third-quarter earnings report, Chili's reported a 14% increase in same-restaurant sales and a 6.5% increase in traffic last summer compared to the same three-month period in 2023.The Oldtimer Burger was topped with cheddar cheese, pickles, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, diced red onions, and mustard.The burger comes topped with a flavorful layer of mustard. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The cheddar cheese was perfectly melted, and the burger patty also had a nice char on the outside. The burger was definitely cooked medium and had a nice juiciness to it while remaining slightly crispy on the outside.When I lifted the top bun, I saw a light smear of mustard on top of the cheese. While it wasn't an enormous amount of mustard, it permeated each bite.I thought the mustard could have been dialed back a bit.The toppings all tasted fresh, but the mustard was slightly overpowering. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The mustard was quite sharp, and while I do like mustard, it was a bit too much for me.However, the rest of the burger really impressed me. The char on the smashed patty was perfectly crispy, and the other ingredients were fresh. The red onion brought a nice bite, and the brioche bun held everything together. I also liked the choice of shredded lettuce, which added a crispy freshness.The fries were also solid: warm, crispy, and well-seasoned.Overall, it was a good classic burger, but I've had Chili's burgers I've enjoyed more in the past, like the Big Smasher, which is their take on a McDonald's Big Mac, and the chain's southwestern-inspired Alex's Santa Fe burger.My second favorite burger came from Applebee's.The classic cheeseburger came with a gooey layer of cheese peeking out from beneath a shiny bun. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I ordered the burger as part of the chain's "2 for $2X" deal, which also allowed me to get an order of boneless wings and a chicken tender basket.However, the burger typically costs $16.99, excluding tax, at the location I visited in Brooklyn, New York.This year, Applebee's teamed up with the NFL as the league's official grill and bar partner, recognizing a strong overlap between their customer base and NFL viewers."We know our guests are football fans," Applebee's chief marketing officer Joel Yashinsky told Business Insider, adding, "This season, we've been all in on the NFL."Data collected by Applebee's in April revealed that 64% of its guests were interested in or very interested in the NFL, and around 34% had watched the NFL in the past year, which helped shape the chain's strategy for the football season, Yashinsky said.The Classic Cheeseburger came with two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles on a brioche bun.The two slices of cheese completely covered the beef burger patty. Erin McDowell/Business Insider There was a thick, gooey layer of cheese melted onto the burger. I thought the two slices of cheese did a lot to elevate this burger.The outside of the burger patty was quite dark, which made me concerned it might have been cooked beyond the medium level I requested.However, I found the burger was supremely juicy and cooked even slightly on the side of medium-rare.The burger was slightly less done than the others I tried. I didn't mind one bit.I loved the flavor of the cheese and fresh toppings. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The melted, tangy cheese covered every square inch of this burger, making for a balanced bite. The thickly sliced red onion also added a lot of flavor, and I thought the lettuce and tomato tasted fresh.This burger didn't have any sauce, but it wasn't dry at all thanks to the cheese and buttery bun that seemed to melt in my mouth.Though it was very similar in ingredients to the TGI Fridays burger, it just tasted better, juicier, and fresher.My favorite burger came from Buffalo Wild Wings.The burger came with two burger patties sandwiched between a soft bun. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I ordered the All-American Cheeseburger at my local Buffalo Wild Wings in Brooklyn, New York. It cost $14.49, excluding tax.Since Buffalo Wild Wings is primarily known for its traditional and boneless wings, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this classic cheeseburger.The burger came with two beef patties, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayonnaise, and mustard.The burger came coated in layers of melted cheese. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I was impressed that this burger came with two burger patties. Each patty was crispy on the outside and coated in gooey melted cheese.When it arrived at the table, the bun was glistening, and inside was a hearty smear of mustard and mayonnaise.The fries were tasty, thin, and well-salted, but I had to admit I preferred some of the other chains' thicker fries.I thought this burger was a great value, and I scarfed down every delicious bite.The patties were crispy on the outside but juicy within. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The mayonnaise and mustard added a lot of moisture and flavor to this burger, but it truly didn't need it.The beef patties were juicy yet crispy, and the cheese was perfectly melted, adding a tangy, savory flavor to each bite. It felt like a more elevated version of a fast-food cheeseburger, and instantly transported me back to my childhood with its classic, fresh-tasting toppings and indulgent flavor.The addition of the second patty really enhanced the burger. For just under $15, I also thought it was the best value of all the burgers I tried.This burger delivered a winning bite, hitting all the right notes for a satisfying meal. I would definitely go back to try more of the chain's burgers football season or not.

Sometimes, we regret things. Sometimes, were caught up in typing thoughts and feelings and forget to edit ourselves before pressing send. Sometimes, the consequences of our actions are too much to deal with, especially in interpersonal relationships. Sometimes, we wish we could go back in time and start over. Im not saying that RCS, the messaging protocol that binds Androids and Apples, offers the kind of magic that lets you go back in time and retract a boo-boo. But I have seen the light on the iOS side of life and the relief and deliverance of being able to edit or delete a text message foreveryone, not just yourself. According to 9to5Google, Google Messages is readying support for this feature. Thats right: deleting, editing, and recalling messages is on the docket for a future version of Androids default messaging app, which means harmony with our iPhone-using brothers and sisters. When an Android person deletes something out of regret, it can be deleted for everyone involved in the conversation. If only there were this much peace-making in the real world. 9to5Google dug into some beta code for Google Messages and found mention of compliance with the Universal Profile 2.7, introduced last summer by the GSMA, to help bring the global industry up to speed. Specific text strings refer to messaging options that dont currently exist, including Delete for me and Delete for everyone. Version 2.7 also enables replies and reactions to work more seamlessly between platforms. When you reply to a thread from an iOS user currently, it will appear in line with the original message on the Android users side. But on the iOS side, it gets messier and crowded, as theyll have to deal with extra text explaining what youre replying to. The update to the new Universal Profile would streamline this so that both sides experience similar visual feedback. The populace hopes that Apple will eventually comply once the updated profiles are rolled into Google Messages between Android users. Apples RCS integration to iOS 18 has been a boon for cross-platform relations. Last year, Apple acquiesced to the existence of Green Bubbles by enabling high-resolution video and audio exchange and better group chat materialization without reliance on MMS. To get up to speed with editing messages when they become available, all Apple has to do is push out a software update. Whether its willing to do that is another matter. Anyway, theres no point in griping about whether Apple will comply until Google confirms that this ability is coming to the Android platform, which it has not yet done.

A new Propstore auction containing over 200 pieces of Blade Runner 2024 memorabilia is stuffed with what youd expectincluding costumes worn by Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Jared Leto, and other stars of Denis Villeneuves 2017 neo-noir sci-fi sequel. But if you look a little deeper in the auction catalogue, youll find lots of far freakier ephemera, suitable only for the truly dedicated collector. Like, say, Rachaels skeleton. Propstore This lot includes 27 teeth and 75 bone pieces, including rib bones, femurs, sacrum, a jaw bone, and digital phalanges, among others, according to Propstores website. The skeletal remains were seen in the morgue and lab scenes The lot exhibits wear consistent with that of bones exposed to dirt and the elements, but remains overall in very good condition. As fans of Blade Runner and its sequel Blade Runner 2049 will recall, Rachael (Sean Young) and Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) fell in love in the first film, an inconvenient scenario since she was a replicant and he was a blade runner tasked with retiring her (and maybe also a replicant himself). The second film revealed they conceived a child togethershe was an advanced prototype with that capabilitybut she died after an emergency C-section. Their offspring turns out not to be Ryan Goslings character, Officer K, but Blade Runner 2049 spends a lot of time unraveling that mystery. A big part of what makes Ks parental status confusing: his memories, which in grand Blade Runner tradition turn out to be not really his, despite seemingly giving concrete proof when he recovers a wooden horse he remembers from his troubled childhood. You can also bid on that particular item, a production-made example according to Propstore. Its not the actual hero horse that was used on-screen (so dont try to look for the date hidden in the base, as seen in the movie), but it would still be a rather cool keepsake to have around. It also comes with the dingy rag it was concealed in. Propstore Check out all of the Blade Runner 2049 items up for sale at Propstores website; the auction runs through February 20. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Higienpolis Apartment / BLOCO ArquitetosSave this picture! Mara AcayabaApartmentsSo Paulo, BrazilArchitects: BLOCO ArquitetosAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:230 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Mara AcayabaMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The renovation project for this apartment took advantage of the original features of the property, combining them with the needs of the new residents. The analysis of the building's structure revealed that the visible face of the apartment's concrete ceiling did not have a structural function and served only as a type of "finishing ceiling." This allowed for the careful removal of this thin layer, revealing the composition of structural beams that had been hidden before.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The existing solid ipe flooring, laid in a double-fish scale pattern, was preserved and restored. The plaster on the perimeter walls was removed to expose the original solid brick. One of the existing bedrooms and the dining room were removed to expand the space of the living room and kitchen.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The suite was also expanded by removing another bedroom. Integrated environments were created using a limited number of different materials and finishes, taking advantage of a large part of the existing structure.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Higienpolis, So Paulo, BrazilLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeBLOCO ArquitetosOfficePublished on February 07, 2025Cite: "Higienpolis Apartment / BLOCO Arquitetos" [Apartamento Higienpolis / BLOCO Arquitetos] 07 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026625/higienopolis-apartment-bloco-arquitetos&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

During production, things get realsometimes too real. Join Josh and Austin as they dissect some of the craziest on-set stories from around the internet, featuring tales from Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Dune, and more.- CoPilot Co. is a global, tech-driven production studio that specializes in XR virtual production, film production, and AI tool development. We are committed to helping people realize their boldest ideas through sharing our expertise, consulting on virtual production studio builds, and creating AI tools for XR environment building. CONNECT: copilotco.iocollabs@copilotco.iohttps://www.instagram.com/copilotco/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/copilotxr/ https://www.tiktok.com/@copilotco https://open.spotify.com/show/1vzV4lv0WjzOnjBEhRpakS https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flying-blind-a-copilot-production/id1791188534 CHAPTERS00:00-01:15 Intro01:15-03:24 Lord Of The Rings03:24-06:10 Noahs Ark06:10-08:36 Gladiator08:36-11:06 Game of Thrones 11:06-14:25 Game of Thrones Rant14:25-15:37 Starsky & Hutch15:37-17:10 Dune 17:10-18:25 Star Wars18:25-19:46 Transformers 419:46-21:53 Steven Seagal 21:53-23:41 Exorcist23:41-27:13 Joshs Story & Outro

The beetles are often pitted against each other in fights by their owners. Credit: CBPShareIt sounds like the stuff of nightmares: you open a bag of potato chips hoping for a snack, only to find a 6-inch-long stag beetle crawling inside the container. Now multiply that scenario 37 times. That was the case last month at the Los Angeles International Airport, according to a February 5th announcement from the US Customs and Border Protection, when agricultural specialists seized over three dozen packages. Although intended to resemble various Japanese chips, chocolate, and other food items, each bag actually housed a smuggled, invasive insect frequently coveted by collectors on the black market.Enthusiasts enjoy seeing them fight against each other during mating season, a CBP spokesperson said in an email to Popular Science. While they may be cool pets to have at homeif the insect escapes it can definitely cause significant damage to plants and trees.They may look harmless but in reality, smuggled beetles pose a significant threat to our vital agriculture resources, Cheryl Davies, CBPs Los Angeles Director of Field Operations, said through Wednesdays press release. Beetles can become a serious pest by eating plants, leaves, and roots and by laying eggs on tree bark which damages our forests.CBP seized a total of 37 beetles in various snack packages. Credit: CBPTo properly import live insects into the US, purchasers need to obtain multiple USDA permits, or a letter issued by the agencys Plants, Pathogens, and Biocontrol unit.Although the seized beetles were valued in total at around $1,480, the alleged smugglers may face larger penalties. Those can include years in prison, large fines, and forfeiture of the goods. Authorities subsequently turned the beetles over to USDA officials, who are responsible for assessing what to do with contraband animals. According to the CBP, the beetles will likely be donated to various zoos that already possess the correct legal permits.The 37 beetles are a comparative drop in the bucket compared to the CBP agriculture specialists total daily nationwide seizures. On a typical day, the agency reports an average of over 3,287 illegal meats, plants, and other animal byproducts, as well as more than 231 agricultural pests.