Recently, Vitalik Buterin criticized the extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). He expressed worries that new programs within this section could impact privacy in the crypto community. Buterin, a co-founder of Ethereum, believes that renewing Section 702 could have negative effects on privacy rights and decentralized technology advocates.

The reintroduction of laws allowing the United States government to conduct surveillance without warrants has caused concerns among digital privacy and decentralized technology supporters. In the crypto sector, where privacy and decentralization are crucial, Buterin’s remarks highlight a growing sense of unease.

The extension of FISA’s Section 702 for another two years was recently approved after intense debates and opposition from conservative and progressive members in the U.S. Senate. The renewal allows for warrantless monitoring tactics, mainly targeting foreign nationals but also involving American communications. Critics like Buterin argue that the lack of substantial privacy protections for U.S. residents shows the broad and intrusive nature of the current act.

Senator Ron Wyden and others have also voiced apprehensions that ordinary citizens could be subjected to surveillance due to a last-minute amendment, suggesting the potential for misuse in the renewed measure.