US Congressman Tom Emer has called on the Treasury Department to clarify issues related to sanctions against Tornado Cash.
In a letter sent to the Treasury Department on August 23, Emmer noted that sanctions have traditionally only applied to individuals or entities, not open source software like Tornado Cash.
I wrote to Treasury Secretary Yellen about Tornado Cash’s unprecedented sanctions. The increasing adoption of decentralized technologies will undoubtedly bring new challenges to OFAC. Nonetheless, technology is neutral and expectations of privacy are normal. pic.twitter.com/0aN4a4A6tb
Tom Emmer (@RepTomEmmer) August 23, 2022
Emer asked the Treasury Department to explain which technologies on the blockchain are sanctioned. He said that Tornado Cash is an anonymization software and not a provider of mixing services, so it is not subject to bank secrecy laws.
To defend users affected by the sanctions, Emer has asked the Treasury Department to clarify how users can access funds locked in mixers. He also requested clarification on how smart contracts can be sued as they are not legal entities or individuals.
Looking at the incidence of dusting attacks, Emmer asked what the fate of users receiving unsolicited funds would be.
Emmer reiterated that individual privacy must be a priority despite the need for decentralized technical regulation.
The increasing adoption of decentralized technologies will undoubtedly bring new challenges to OFAC. Nonetheless, technology is neutral and expectations of privacy are normal.
to protect your privacy
The crypto community is committed to supporting Congressmen who stand up for privacy. Bankless founder Ryan Sean Adams tweeted:
Thank you for standing up for privacy @RepTomEmmer.
There was a time when expectations of privacy were the norm rather than the exception.
We must bring this freedom back to America.
RYAN SAN ADAMS rsa.eth (@RyanSAdams) August 23, 2022
In a previous interview with crypto slate, CommerceBlock CEO Nicholas Gregory has accused the US Treasury of sanctions against Tornado Cash. He said the move “makes little sense” because malicious actors can use other mixer protocols to cover up cybercrime.