ConsenSys, makers of the popular browser-based MetaMask cryptocurrency wallet, denounced “tweets circulating with inaccurate information about ConsenSys’ terms of service,” stating in the filing that “MetaMask does not charge taxes on cryptocurrency transactions and we have not made any changes. on our terms to do so.

“The tax section of our Terms of Service is located in the ‘Fees and Payments’ section and refers exclusively to paid products and plans offered by ConsenSys,” the company explained. “Legal terminology can be complex, but it’s important to emphasize that this section does not apply to MetaMask or any other product that does not involve sales tax.”

The company was responding to a series of Twitter posts highlighting section 4.2 of the MetaMask Terms of Service, describing it as a change that would allow the company to withhold tax. The claim quickly spread ar/CryptoCurrency on Reddit, where it has already garnered 450 upvotes and over 500 comments, various cryptocurrency news sites and Youtube.

“DECENTRALIZATION IS DYING,” said one viral tweet.

Many compared the supposed change to the recent controversy over Ledger’s new seed recovery feature for its hardware wallets, described by some as a “backdoor” to its seemingly secure design.

“Because I should register having all the fun?” asked Kashif Raza, founder of Bitcoin education provider Bitinning. “Meta Mask joins the party now!”

Many within the crypto community were quick to dismiss the claim.

“Everyone blindly tweets about MetaMask’s tax clause in the T&Cs but doesn’t really read it,” he chided. @printer_brrr, curator of the NFT collection of children’s art. “If you buy a product from them, they may withhold tax like sales tax for that product. Just like Amazon does when you buy from them.”

The top-voted comment on Reddit also sought to dispel the rumor.

“This should refer to sales taxes and not capital taxes,” pseudonymous user Mr. Literal wrote under the username thinkingperson. “Therefore, when you buy something online with your credit/debit card, different countries and states may have different sales tax regulations.”

“We believe in transparency and accuracy when it comes to sharing information with our users,” ConsenSys tweeted. “Our commitment to fighting misinformation about our products and services remains unwavering.”

ConsenSys is one of 22 strategic investors in Decrypt.