The US Supreme Court has declined to hear a case from a Coinbase user claiming violations of privacy rights due to IRS data requests.
Supreme Court Denial
On Monday, the US Supreme Court refused to review a case brought by James Harper against the IRS and several officials. The case stemmed from the IRS compelling Coinbase to provide information from users through a 'John Doe' summons.
Case Background
Harper's initial complaint alleged that the IRS and its officials conducted an 'unlawful search and seizure of [his] private financial information,' violating the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution. The US District Court for New Hampshire dismissed the case in March 2021, a decision upheld by the First Circuit.
Growing User Concerns
Coinbase filed an amicus brief supporting Harper's petition, arguing that if the lower court ruling stands, the US government could monitor every crypto transaction. This raises significant concerns regarding user data privacy.
The Supreme Court's refusal to hear Harper's case underscores the importance of privacy rights for cryptocurrency users in the US, especially in light of recent IRS communications.
