A January 20, 2025 executive order from President Trump says, in part:
Agency Heads shall take all necessary steps, in coordination with the [administrator of DOGE] and to the maximum extent consistent with law, to ensure [DOGE] has full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, software systems, and IT systems.
“Agency” is defined in a way that includes the USPTO.
So apparently the Department of Government Efficiency has, or will soon have, full access to all unclassified USPTO records, all USPTO unclassified USPTO software systems, and all USPTO unclassified IT systems.
Are unpublished patent applications “classified”?
I don’t know the answer. But what popped into my head just now is that this development with DOGE might mean yet another factor to take into account when considering whether to file one’s PCT application in RO/US or RO/IB.