Elon Musk and his company X Corp, managing the X platform, filed an amicus curiae brief with the US Supreme Court to challenge IRS methods concerning access to Coinbase user data.
Elon Musk Joins the Fight for Data Privacy
X Corp filed a brief contesting IRS methods that allow access to user financial data without a judicial warrant, including transactional information of over 14,000 Coinbase customers. X Corp, along with seven advocacy groups, views these methods as a violation of the Fourth Amendment.
A Fundamental Issue for Digital Privacy
Following the filing, the Supreme Court requested a federal response, underscoring the case's importance. The dispute started in 2020 when James Harper sued the IRS over seizure of his crypto-related information. A lower court ruled in favor of the IRS in 2023, stating their actions were within legal prerogatives.
Potential Implications for Digital Privacy
Musk's initiative aligns with his visions of digital governance and privacy protection. The case may redefine state power boundaries in digital privacy, similar to the Tornado Cash case, where a court ruled jurisdiction overreach.
The Supreme Court's decision could set a precedent for new frameworks protecting digital data and regulating state authority.
