US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has blocked a privateness invoice that seeks to guard all Individuals from having their private info uncovered by information brokers — arguing that legislation enforcement wants entry to some information and that the invoice requires refinement.
The Bitcoiner was the one US senator to object to Democrat Senator Ron Wyden’s invoice — Senate Invoice 2850 — on Wednesday, arguing an absence of knowledge may disrupt efforts to make sure that convicted intercourse offenders are avoided kids.
SB 2850 seeks to cease brokers from exposing private information
Wyden stated SB 2850 would search to supply Individuals safety in opposition to information brokers that promote delicate information to “anybody with a bank card,” stating that some folks use this info to hold out violence, stalking, and different felony threats.
Cruz, who has lengthy pushed again in opposition to central bank digital currencies and different surveillance measures, advised fellow lawmakers that he’s “keen on increasing the safety to as broad a universe as is possible, as is practicable, however that reply is just not but labored out.”
Cruz additionally rejected a narrower privateness invoice launched by Wyden instantly after on the identical grounds. Senate Invoice 2851 seeks to increase protections solely to federal lawmakers, state officers, and their employees, in addition to survivors of sexual assault and home violence.
Nevertheless, Cruz supplied to work with Wyden on the bipartisan invoice, saying he doesn’t need Congress to “do nothing and fail to take affordable frequent sense steps” that will hinder the privateness of law-abiding residents.
Cointelegraph reached out to Cruz and Wyden however didn’t obtain a response by the point of publication.
Privateness has been a extremely debated subject throughout the cryptocurrency group, which was constructed on the beliefs of freedom from surveillance. Limiting the info shared with brokers might also cut back the chance of security breaches, which stays a persistent risk within the US and overseas.
There has additionally been appreciable controversy over how on-line information is saved and used. Information brokers acquire private info, from names and addresses to cellphone numbers and monetary information, to promote to companies for advertising functions and to make extra knowledgeable, data-driven choices.
Privateness push comes after lawmaker’s deadly house assault
Calls to develop privateness protections for lawmakers observe the assassination of former Minnesota Consultant Melissa Hortman at her house in June.
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation believes the alleged perpetrator, Luther Boelter, discovered Hortman’s handle via information brokers.
Members of the crypto group have additionally been focused for killings and abductions. According to a database managed by Bitcoiner Jameson Lopp, there have been over 50 assaults on folks or households holding crypto in 2025 alone. Many of those incidents have concerned the perpetrators discovering out the home addresses of victims to hold out their assaults.
Wyden is investigating a high crypto exec
In the meantime, Wyden confirmed that he launched an investigation into the tax methods of Dan Morehead, founding father of the crypto-focused enterprise capital agency Pantera Capital, on Wednesday.
Wyden claims Morehead improperly averted greater than $100 million in US taxes by misrepresenting his residency standing and abusing Puerto Rico’s tax system.
Wyden stated Morehead handled the nine-figure capital beneficial properties as exempt from US tax legal guidelines regardless of the lion’s share of these beneficial properties allegedly being accrued whereas he was based mostly in California.
Cointelegraph reached out to Morehead for remark, however didn’t obtain a response by the point of publication.
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