Replying to Avatar waxwing

This is really big, and really bad news.

The essential point seems to be that there is an argument that they *could* have exerted control. Did they actually have backdoor keys into the smart contract after they wrote and deployed it? I can't remember a clarification on that crucial point.

If they didn't, then this is even worse, because it means US LE are prepared to make *really* tortuous arguments to go after privacy software developers.
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takinbrrrr 2y ago

Every “upgradable” smart contract has a back door that allows the author to change the code. So it’s a fair assessment to claim that they did have control.

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Sjors Provoost 2y ago

Depends on what functions can be upgraded. Also there's a limit to how convoluted an argument they'll get away with. The Coin Center article suggests that the DoJ is being a bit handwavy here.