ConsenSys Updates Privacy Policy for MetaMask, Infura After Community Pushback

ConsenSys has issued several updates and clarifications to how it stores user data after the crypto community pushed back against the firm’s privacy policy last month.

The crypto industry was up in arms in November following reports that the firm’s keystone products, MetaMask and Infura, collected users’ wallet and IP addresses. ConsenSys was quick to remind in today’s note, however, that these revelations were not a deviation or change from its existing policies but rather “aimed to solely provide greater transparency.”

ConsenSys is one of 22 strategic investors in Decrypt.

Notably, ConsenSys reported today that it plans to delete user data after one week and highlighted that data collected via its crypto wallet MetaMask and infrastructure provider Infura is never sold to third parties. The type of data collected includes users’ wallets and IP addresses, but only when they make transactions (rather than simply checking an account balance).

MetaMask users will also soon have the option to select an alternative Remote Procedure Call (RPC) provider instead of the default setting of Infura.

“There are many good reasons why users may want to use different RPC configurations, in particular hosting their own nodes, and we have always believed that part of the value we offer is in the user’s right to exit our offerings,” reads today’s announcement.

Users will have the option from next week to choose their own RPC providers and opt out of other services implemented to improve user experience.