Coinbase, IRS, and Your Privacy—Will the Supreme Court End the Third-Party Doctrine?

In this episode of Unwritten Law, NCLA’s Mark Chenoweth and John Vecchione discuss the latest developments in Harper v. IRS, a privacy case currently pending at the U.S. Supreme Court. At stake is the controversial “third-party doctrine,” a 1970s-era legal theory allowing agencies like the IRS to access your private financial data without a warrant, simply because it’s held by third parties—like Coinbase. John breaks down the troubling implications, explains why the doctrine no longer fits the digital age, and outlines NCLA’s arguments as they await a critical decision from the Justices. This case could redefine your right to privacy in a world where nearly all personal information is shared with third parties.