Buterin Backs Roman Storm, Says Privacy Is Not a Crime

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Vitalik Buterin Stands by Roman Storm, Says Privacy Is Not a Crime

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: January 09, 2026

Key Takeaways

Vitalik Buterin defended Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm by saying privacy tools should not be criminalized;
He argued that privacy protects individuals from misuse of their personal data and helps maintain fairness in society;
Buterin warned that government access to all data is risky, as databases can be hacked or misused by private firms.

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Vitalik Buterin Stands by Roman Storm, Says Privacy Is Not a Crime

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Ethereum ETH $3,086.91 co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly expressed support for Roman Storm, a Tornado Cash developer convicted of money transmission charges.

Buterin argued that creating tools for privacy should not be treated as a crime. In a post on X, he stated that he had long supported Storm’s work and regularly used privacy tools himself.

Buterin explained that the ability to keep certain information private is essential for personal safety in today’s world. He said that when people’s personal data is exposed, it can be exploited in many ways.

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He also argued that privacy helps society function more fairly, especially in cultural and political areas. He warned that without privacy, social pressure and manipulation could easily take over.

Buterin criticized the common belief that governments should have unrestricted access to citizens’ information for security purposes.

According to Buterin, this belief is dangerous because large databases can be hacked or misused. He pointed out that government agencies often share or sell data to private companies, which can lead to sensitive information being leaked or sold.

The Ethereum Foundation has committed $1.25 million to support the legal defense of another Tornado Cash developer, Alexey Pertsev. Closing his message, Buterin said that privacy should remain a basic protection in the modern world.

Recently, Buterin suggested that the social platform X could use blockchain and zero‑knowledge proofs (ZK‑proofs). What did he say? Read the full story.