Ethereum Founder Vitalik Buterin Backs Convicted Dev, Calls Privacy 'Essential Protection'
Vitalik Buterin publicly supports Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm, emphasizing that privacy-preserving software is a fundamental human right and should not be criminalized due to potential misuse. Storm, whose tools helped users hide blockchain transactions, was convicted in August 2023 for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, with other charges unresolved. Tornado Cash was sanctioned in 2022 after being linked to over $1.5 billion in illicit crypto, including funds from major hacks. Buterin argues privacy is vital for protection against exploitation and warns of risks from government and corporate data collection. He rejects the notion that authorities should have unrestricted access to personal information, citing potential abuses and data leaks. Buterin’s stance is that privacy safeguards are essential for societal functioning and individual security. Storm faces up to five years in prison, though he seeks acquittal. Another developer, Alexey Pertsev, was similarly prosecuted and sentenced, with the Ethereum Foundation contributing to his defense.
