GoKawiilAndreessen Horowitz's portfolio includes deepfake, bot-farm and gambling startups tied to harm
A report from The Midas Project examined 18 startups backed by venture firm Andreessen Horowitz, finding a pattern of investments in companies accused of running fake-account bot farms, hosting deepfake models used to sexualize minors, operating gambling platforms that skirt consumer laws, and building AI companion apps linked to suicide and troubling behavior toward children. The firm, led by Marc Andreessen, is simultaneously spending heavily on political influence, including a $100 million super PAC and lobbying that helped produce an executive order aimed at weakening state AI regulations. Andreessen Horowitz did not respond to a request for comment.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings suggest a conflict of interest: a firm profiting from products that exploit regulatory gaps is now actively shaping the rules meant to govern that same industry. As public pressure grows for AI oversight, this case highlights how venture capital money can influence policy in ways that favor investors over consumer protection.
- Report identifies 18 a16z-backed startups tied to deception, exploitation, or harm.
- A16z is spending tens of millions to influence US AI policy via a super PAC and government ties.
- Critics say the firm's political push aims to weaken regulations that would affect its own portfolio companies.
Source: modelrepublic.org, 2026-08-24
Published there as: “Andreessen Horowitz is investing billions into a bleak future”
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