Why does Ethereum founder Vitalik insist on supporting privacy tools—see his perspective on personal data rights

【Crypto World】Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin recently expressed his views, showing support for privacy advocates. He believes that personal privacy rights should not be arbitrarily violated, based on two core understandings: first, that privacy itself has significant value; second, that he personally has long used privacy tools, including solutions created by related developers.

Vitalik pointed out that many people generally accept the logic that—governments, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence organizations need to have access to all citizen information to ensure security. However, he strongly opposes this view. He supports his argument with real-world data: government databases are frequently hacked, and the stolen information often ends up in the hands of rival nations. What does this precisely demonstrate? Centralized data storage does not guarantee security; instead, it creates a larger risk source.

He also shared personal practical experience. When purchasing software, he completes transactions through privacy solutions, so his personal information is not recorded in corporate databases. Even if the developers cease maintenance for many years, the application can still operate stably. To him, this exemplifies the actual value of privacy tools—protecting everyone’s fundamental rights.