Why US Tornado Cash Sanctions Are Concerning for Open Software (opens in new tab)

Thank you for pointing out the obvious, the speaker did not ever claim that software code is law.

The speaker talks about the implications of the first US sanctions that target open source software and ownerless smart contracts.

> Law regulates software industry

After the fact, where it can.

Effectively, "next generation" software has enjoyed much freedom from government intervention — in fact, they're usually the ones building it, and/or using it until it becomes too mainstream.

The speaker claims this is the first US sanctions against ownerless smart contracts and open source software. Usually sanctions target a person or legal entity, who has the right to appeal and challenge a sanction. In this case, the speaker notes, there is no person behind the sanction that can appeal it. The speaker goes on to discuss the implications of these actions and whether it breaks the 1st and 4th amendments.

I would recommend watching the video as the speaker is well educated on the subject of law and blockchain, but you can also see an article on the sanctions here[1].

[1] https://uk.style.yahoo.com/government-takes-tornado-mixer-ma...