A US Department of Energy (DOE) employee recently lost his security clearance after uploading checks notes 187,000 pornographic images to the DOE network. This situation was first reported by 404 Media and underscores inherent issues surrounding tech and professional boundaries.

The individual had been backing up his personal porn collection collected over approximately 25-30 years, claiming he intended to create AI-generated ‘robot pornography’. This, however, was not an acceptable use for government resources. When the DOE conducted an investigation six months later, they revealed the unauthorized upload through their network protocols.

This series of actions raises serious questions not only about personal accountability but also about how technology is used by government employees. While the affected employee described feeling like he was subjected to ’the Spanish Inquisition’ due to the investigation, the boundaries between personal and professional conduct, especially involving sensitive materials, have to be clear in government operations. The appeal to have his security clearance restored was dismissed by the judges overseeing the conduct review, emphasizing the serious breach of protocol involved.