Ethereum Founder Warns AI Is Accelerating the Death of Privacy
Vitalik Buterin is raising the alarm on a growing issue he believes the crypto world must tackle head-on: the erosion of personal privacy in the age of artificial intelligence.
In a recent blog post, the Ethereum creator argues that as AI tools become increasingly adept at gathering and interpreting human data, the need to protect individual privacy has never been more urgent.
Gone are the days when digital privacy was a niche concern of 90s-era cypherpunks. Today, we’re facing a landscape where even our unspoken thoughts might soon be fair game. Buterin points to the rise of brain-computer interfaces as one potential frontier where personal boundaries could dissolve entirely.
He warns that the combination of AI and advanced data collection could turn daily life into a constant performance—one where people are perpetually calculating how their actions might be judged by algorithms, corporations, or governments.
Yet amid the risks, Buterin sees powerful new tools emerging. He highlights zero-knowledge proofs, fully homomorphic encryption, and code obfuscation as critical breakthroughs that can give individuals a fighting chance to reclaim their digital autonomy. These technologies, he argues, are far more advanced than anything imagined by early privacy advocates and could be central to building a more balanced and humane digital ecosystem.
While Buterin acknowledges that not all forms of privacy should be absolute—especially when it comes to those in positions of immense power—he warns that the current trajectory is skewed. If left unchecked, he believes we’re heading toward a world where surveillance is top-down: the powerful see everything, while the average person sees nothing.
To prevent that outcome, he calls for a collective effort to create privacy-preserving infrastructure that’s not only effective but also widely accessible and open-source. According to Buterin, safeguarding digital privacy isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s one of the defining struggles of our time.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain and fintech industries, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics.
