Key Highlights :
1. The US Treasury is facing a renewed legal challenge that aims to overturn the decision to sanction the crypto mixer Tornado Cash.
2. A motion for a partial summary judgment was filed on April 5 in a Texas District Court, with the Coinbase-backed plaintiffs moving for the U.S. Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) to settle for the first two counts from its original complaint filed in September 2022.
3. If granted, it would see the judge rule on some of the factual issues while leaving others for the trial.
4. The counts claimed OFAC exceeded its statutory powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and violated the free speech clause of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.
5. A few months ago, Coinbase backed a legal challenge to sanctions imposed by the US govt against Tornado Cash. Today the plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment, asking the court to reopen TC for all.
6. Their arguments are simple but powerful. If granted, it could see the judge rule on some of the factual issues while leaving others for the trial.
The motion is part of a broader effort to restore internet privacy rights for United States citizens. The bill, the Restore Internet Freedom Act of 2018, was introduced by Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on January 3rd. The Restore Internet Freedom Act would end the Federal Communications Commission’s rule that requires internet service providers to get permission from customers before selling their data. The rule, which was passed in October of 2017, is known as the “Privacy Rule.” The Restore Internet Freedom Act would also require the FCC to create a privacy rule that is consistent with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, which was passed in May of 2018. The Restore Internet Freedom Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 3rd, and has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
