Andreessen Horowitz (A16z) is simultaneously backing two opposing sides of the privacy debate: Flock, a surveillance network using automated license plate readers, and multiple cryptocurrency startups designed to protect financial privacy.
A16z has invested in Flock since 2021 across multiple funding rounds. The company raised $500 million in funding, bringing its total valuation to $8.3 billion and exceeding $500 million in annual recurring revenue as of mid-2024. Flock operates more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states, with CEO Garrett Langley stating in July that the company aims to expand to all 17,000 U.S. cities.
A16z general partners David Ulevitch and Alex Immerman have publicly defended Flock, arguing in April that the system provides objective policing and crime prevention while maintaining safeguards against misuse. However, The Washington Post identified 46 cases in August of officers accused of using Flock for unauthorized purposes, including partner stalking.
Simultaneously, A16z's crypto division has funded multiple privacy-focused projects, including Nym Technologies, XMTP, Aleo, Aztec, and the Zcash Open Development Lab. In a 2025 blog post, A16z crypto called to end "the era of mass financial surveillance" and opposed government pervasive invasion of financial privacy.
The firm has also taken positions on broader privacy issues. Regarding DeFi tools, A16z crypto argued that government restrictions could force people to use third-party intermediaries, enabling increased surveillance. Following the U.S. Treasury's 2022 sanctions against Tornado Cash, the firm contended that the government should have pursued better technical fixes rather than sanctioning the protocol outright.
Flock's expansion faces increasing legal and regulatory challenges. According to Secure Justice, at least 220 Flock contracts were terminated as of August 2024, with termination rates accelerating throughout August. Meanwhile, ongoing debates continue over financial privacy regulation and the balance between public safety and surveillance concerns.
