Senator Ted Cruz Opposes Legislation Targeting Data Privacy for Americans

Two bipartisan privacy bills aimed at safeguarding the data of all Americans were obstructed by Senator Ted Cruz, who contended that they might hinder law enforcement’s ability to pursue criminals.

Cruz, representing Texas, became the sole U.S. senator to express dissent against Democrat Senator Ron Wyden’s bill, Senate Bill 2850, stating that limiting data access could complicate efforts to keep convicted sex offenders away from children.

SB 2850 Seeks to Stop Brokers from Exposing Personal Data

Senator Wyden stated that SB 2850 aims to protect Americans from data brokers who sell sensitive information to anyone willing to pay, highlighting that this data can lead to violence, stalking, and other criminal activities.

Cruz, a known opponent of central bank digital currencies and various surveillance measures, emphasized that he wants to widen the scope of protections but admitted that a solid proposal is still a work in progress.

Cruz also rejected Wyden’s alternative privacy bill—Senate Bill 2851—which aimed at offering protected status exclusively to federal lawmakers, state officials, their staff, survivors of sexual assault, and domestic violence victims.

Despite his objections, Cruz expressed his willingness to collaborate with Wyden on the bipartisan legislation, asserting that he does not wish for Congress to remain inactive or implement unreasonable measures that could infringe on the privacy of law-abiding individuals.

Cointelegraph sought input from Cruz and Wyden but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Privacy Discussion Source: Freedom of the Press
Privacy remains a hotly discussed issue within the cryptocurrency sector, which was founded on principles advocating for freedom from surveillance. Minimizing the data shared with brokers could potentially lower the chances of security breaches, a constant threat in both the U.S. and internationally.

Controversies surrounding the storage and utilization of online data also persist. Data brokers gather personal information including names, addresses, phone numbers, and financial data to sell to businesses for marketing reasons and to enhance data-driven decision making.

Privacy Push Follows Lawmaker’s Fatal Home Attack

The push for enhanced privacy protections comes in light of the assassination of former Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman at her residence in June.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation suspects that the attacker, Luther Boelter, discovered Hortman’s address via data brokers.

Crypto community members have also faced threats including killings and abductions. According to a database maintained by Bitcoiner Jameson Lopp, there have been over 50 attacks on individuals or families associated with cryptocurrency in 2025 alone, many of which involved perpetrators obtaining the victims’ home addresses.

Wyden Investigating a Top Crypto Executive

In parallel, Wyden has confirmed that he initiated an inquiry into the tax strategies of Dan Morehead, the founder of crypto-focused venture capital firm Pantera Capital. Wyden alleges that Morehead improperly avoided over $100 million in U.S. taxes by misrepresenting his residency status and exploiting Puerto Rico’s tax benefits.

Wyden asserts that Morehead falsely classified nine-figure capital gains as exempt from U.S. tax regulations, despite the bulk of these gains being accrued while he resided in California.

Cointelegraph reached out to Morehead for a statement but received no response before publication.