MetaMask Privacy Reality: Your Wallet is Watching You

The Illusion of Decentralization

When you installed MetaMask, you probably thought you were joining the "decentralized" revolution. Wrong. You just installed one of the most comprehensive financial surveillance tools ever created, wrapped in the friendly disguise of a fox logo.

MetaMask has over 100 million users who believe they're using a privacy-preserving, decentralized wallet. In reality, they're voluntarily submitting every transaction, every interaction, and every financial move to a surveillance apparatus that would make the NSA jealous.

The Consensys Data Collection Machine

MetaMask is owned by Consensys, a company that received strategic investment from JPMorgan in 2021. Let that sink in: the bank most opposed to cryptocurrency privacy is funding the wallet that most crypto users trust with their privacy.

"When you use MetaMask, your IP address and Ethereum wallet address are collected by default."

— MetaMask Privacy Policy, Section 3.1

What MetaMask Collects (According to Their Own Privacy Policy)

• IP addresses — linked to every transaction
• Wallet addresses — your complete transaction history
• Device information — browser, OS, screen resolution
• Usage patterns — which DApps you use, when you use them
• Transaction metadata — amounts, gas fees, contract interactions
• Geographic location — derived from IP addresses

This data is shared with "service providers, business partners, and affiliates." Translation: everyone.

The Infura Surveillance Infrastructure

By default, MetaMask connects to Ethereum through Infura — another Consensys company. This means every single transaction you make is routed through Consensys servers, where it's logged, analyzed, and stored.

Infura's terms of service explicitly state they collect "IP addresses, user agent strings, and other technical information" and may share this data with "law enforcement agencies, regulators, and other third parties."

The Blockchain Analytics Integration

MetaMask doesn't just collect your data — it enriches it by integrating with blockchain analytics companies. The wallet includes built-in features that:

• Token detection — queries analytics APIs to identify your holdings
• Transaction warnings — checks your recipients against sanctions lists
• Price feeds — tracks your portfolio value in real-time
• Gas estimation — analyzes network congestion patterns

Each of these "helpful" features requires sending your wallet data to third-party services. Companies like Chainalysis, Elliptic, and TRM Labs provide these services — and they're the same companies selling surveillance tools to governments worldwide.

Government Access and Compliance

Consensys has been increasingly compliant with government surveillance requests. In 2022, they announced a sanctions compliance tool that automatically screens transactions against government blacklists.

"We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities."

— Consensys Privacy Policy, Section 6

Translation: if the government wants your MetaMask data, Consensys will hand it over. No warrant required for most data — just a polite letter from three-letter agencies.

Real-World Surveillance Cases

Government use of MetaMask/Consensys data isn't theoretical:

• Tornado Cash prosecution — Consensys data used to identify users
• IRS tax enforcement — Infura data correlated with tax filings
• Sanctions compliance — Real-time blocking of specific wallet addresses
• Criminal investigations — IP address correlation with wallet activity

🛡️ Protecting Your Privacy

The good news? You don't have to accept MetaMask's surveillance. Here's how to reclaim your privacy:

1. Use Alternative RPC Endpoints

Stop using Infura by configuring MetaMask to use private RPC endpoints:

2. Use MetaMask Through Tor

Route all MetaMask traffic through Tor to hide your IP address:

1. Install Tor Browser
2. Install MetaMask in Tor Browser (not your regular browser)
3. Configure MetaMask to use a privacy-focused RPC endpoint
4. Never use the same wallet in both regular browser and Tor

3. Switch to Privacy-Focused Wallets

Better yet, abandon MetaMask entirely for wallets designed with privacy in mind:

4. Create Separate Privacy Identities

Practice digital compartmentalization with your crypto activities:

• Public wallet — For KYC exchanges and public transactions
• Private wallet — For anonymous activities and privacy coins
• DeFi wallet — For decentralized finance interactions only
• Cold storage — For long-term holdings, never connected to internet

5. Use True Privacy Coins

The most important step: stop using transparent cryptocurrencies for private transactions. Bitcoin and Ethereum are surveillance coins by design.

Learn about how Monero protects your privacy and follow our Monero setup guide to start using truly private money.

The Bigger Picture: Financial Surveillance

MetaMask's surveillance isn't an accident — it's the point. The cryptocurrency industry has been captured by the same financial institutions it was supposed to replace. JPMorgan didn't invest in Consensys to support decentralization; they invested to control it.

This is part of a broader pattern we've documented:

• Cryptocurrency privacy is mostly an illusion
• CBDCs represent the endgame of financial surveillance
• Blockchain analysis companies work hand-in-hand with governments
• Governments buy surveillance data instead of getting warrants

Taking Action

Don't just complain about surveillance — escape it:

Sources and Citations