eBay founder Pierre Omidyar gives nearly $2M to defund police
Billionaire founder of eBay, Pierre Omidyar, has invested in a private security startup coined the “Uber for bodyguards,” whilst simultaneously donating nearly $2 million to groups that advocate for defunding or abolishing the police, according to journalist Lee Fang. The Omidyar Network, made up of two policy groups and a charity network, received $1.3 million towards creating a website called DefundPolice.org, a site used to call for cuts to police budgets. Another $500,000 was also donated to groups that protested against George Floyd’s death, with $300,000 going to The Movement for Black Lives, an organisation stating itself to be in support of “abolitionist” ideologies. On the other hand, Omidyar has also invested in Bond, a New York-based company that claims to allow people to order a bodyguard on demand. Deep Sentinel, an AI-powered security camera company which identifies intruders, is another of Omidyar’s investments. Despite several attempts, the Omidyar Network refused to comment on the donations or investments when questioned by journalists.
FAQs:
Who is Pierre Omidyar?
He is the founder of eBay and has an estimated wealth of $8.91 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
What is the Omidyar Network?
It is a collection of policy groups and charities founded by Pierre Omidyar that fund and support various campaigns and political organisations.
What is DefundPolice.org?
It is a website used by advocates to call for cuts to police budgets.
What is The Movement for Black Lives?
It is an organisation that campaigns for the abolition of police.
What is Bond?
It is a New York-based company that claims to allow people to order a bodyguard on demand.
What is Deep Sentinel?
It is an AI-powered security camera company which identifies intruders.
Did the Omidyar Network comment on the donations or investments?
No, journalists were unsuccessful in obtaining a comment from the Omidyar Network.
Pierre Omidyar, eBay’s originator, donates almost $2 million to decimate police funding.
Billionaire founder of eBay Pierre Omidyar has invested in a private security start-up dubbed the “Uber for bodyguards” whilst also donating almost $2 million to groups advocating for defunding or abolishing the police, as per a report. Omidyar handed over $500,000 to organizations through his charitable group, the Omidyar Network, that protested the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. According to journalist Lee Fang, two other groups tied to Omidyar — PolicyLink and Democracy Fund — received $1.3 million to sponsor a website called DefundPolice.org. Additionally, The Movement for Black Lives, which describes itself as an “abolitionist” coalition, received $300,000. As a private investor, however, Omidyar has invested in start-ups such as Bond, a company that enables people to order a bodyguard on-demand. Bond raised $72 million in funding, including investments from Omidyar, and former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly is an advisor to the board. Omidyar is also believed to be an investor in the Bond app. Among Omidyar’s investment portfolio is Deep Sentinel, an AI-powered security camera system that identifies intruders. Both Bond and Deep Sentinel aim to offer their products as alternative solutions following a surge in crime, coinciding with calls to defund police.