Protect the Right to Privacy in Technology Development

Help save technology and innovation by signing this petition to pardon Tornado Cash founders Roman Storm and Roman Semenov.

As we step into an era defined by digital innovation, we find ourselves grappling with unprecedented legal challenges to our most fundamental rights.

Roman Storm and Roman Semenov, co-founders of the cryptocurrency mixer platform Tornado Cash, are facing extreme penalties—up to 45 years in prison—for allegedly violating federal statutes related to unlicensed money transmission, money laundering, and economic sanctions. We urge the next President, Donald Trump, to consider issuing a presidential pardon for Roman Storm, as he stands as a symbol of the critical need to safeguard the freedoms of developers and technology innovators in America.

Roman Storm’s case is not just about Tornado Cash or the blockchain. It is about defending the principle that creators should not be held criminally liable for how others may misuse their platforms. Tornado Cash was designed to provide privacy for cryptocurrency users—an essential feature for financial transactions in the digital age. Just as it would be absurd to prosecute someone for developing physical cash because it could be used in criminal activities, it is equally unjust to punish developers for providing a tool that upholds privacy, a right that every citizen is entitled to.

The charges against Storm and Semenov, including conspiracy to engage in unlicensed money transmission and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), reflect a troubling trend. By prosecuting developers for the actions of others, the Department of Justice is sending a message that the mere act of creating software that supports privacy can be considered a crime. This has severe implications for innovation, freedom, and the future of technology in America.

Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology have opened doors to privacy and autonomy that are invaluable in a world of increasing surveillance. If privacy tools like Tornado Cash are penalized, we risk a future where government overreach chills the development of technologies that empower individuals and protect our freedom. Roman Storm and his colleagues took a brave step forward in advancing privacy in finance. Criminalizing them for this is akin to banning cash itself because it, too, can be misused.

This isn’t just about Storm and Semenov; it's about every developer, entrepreneur, and individual who believes in the importance of privacy. If we allow this prosecution to set a precedent, we will create a world where innovation is stifled, and developers live in fear of criminal charges for simply creating tools that empower freedom.

Please join us in asking the President to grant a pardon for Roman Storm. This is a crucial moment to stand up for privacy rights, the freedom to innovate, and a just legal system. Let’s show our leaders that we believe in a future where technology can evolve without criminalizing its creators.

Share this petition with as many people as possible through social media, email, and in conversation. Let’s make our voices heard!