The keen eyes of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have uncovered several federal agencies paying millions of dollars on annual licenses for software that has never been used.
DOGE saved over $5 million annually after finding and cancelling these unused licenses, Fox News reported on Friday, citing an X post in which the Department explained how the agencies in question were wasting the money.
“Agencies often have more software licenses than employees, and the licenses are often idle (i.e. paid for, but not installed on any computer). These audits have been continuously run since first posted in February,” DOGE said.
“Most recently: -IRS had 3000 Visio licenses, using only 25. The remaining 99% were cut. -DOL cut 68% of unused ‘project planning’ software licenses. -SEC was only using 22% of their
Agencies often have more software licenses than employees, and the licenses are often idle (i.e. paid for, but not installed on any computer). These audits have been continuously run since first posted in February. Most recently:
— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) May 30, 2025
-IRS had 3000 Visio licenses, using only 25. The… https://t.co/xnY8TkLmM3
remote desktop software; the 78% was cut. These 3 changes alone, a small portion of the total, saved > $5M/year,” the department noted: