Jan 2, 2019 · 27m · a16z
a16z Podcast | Taking the Measure of Tech in Policy -- with Kamala Harris
gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions
At the a16z DC Policy Summit, host Matt Spence interviews Senator Kamala Harris on the intersection of public policy, technological innovation, and national security. Drawing on her experiences as California Attorney General and U.S. Senator, Harris outlines collaborative governance models for app privacy, cyber exploitation, open data transparency, and cybersecurity.
How this conversation actually went
Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. How this is scored →
speaking balance: gold is the host, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)
Harris firmly rejects the popular terminology 'revenge porn', explaining that 'revenge' improperly implies justification and 'porn' mischaracterizes the nature of non-consensual image sharing.
Hardest push from the host ▶ 5:04 Challenging the typical prosecutor approachThe host challenges the standard assumption that prosecutors only rely on punitive threats and enforcement sticks, prompting Harris to articulate a preventive approach.
Biggest teaching moment ▶ 19:37 Cybersecurity policy breakdownHarris educates the audience and host on why policy must move beyond traditional prevention to focus on detection, post-attack resilience, and accountability.
The host holds their own ▶ 14:23 Connecting policy to OpenGov tech portfolioThe host demonstrates domain expertise by introducing OpenGov as a concrete enterprise example of state and local government data modernization.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
| Chapter | Topic | The host as informed peer | Guest teaching | Guest disagreement | The host pushing back | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roots in Innovation and Philosophy on Regulation | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | The host sets up the interview warmly by framing state-level policy and asks how Harris balanced updating laws for emerging technologies. Harris responds with an extended narrative about her upbringing, passion for innovation, and prosecutor background. The exchange is entirely collaborative and conversational. | |
| Mobile App Privacy and Industry Collaboration | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | The host probes gently on how prosecutors can balance public safety with innovation beyond using punitive threats. Harris explains her 'smart on crime' philosophy and recounts convening major tech platforms to establish mobile app privacy standards. The tone remains warm and constructive. | |
| Open Data and the Open Justice Initiative | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Harris explains her Open Justice initiative and how open data reveals systemic criminal justice disparities, noting that government needs external help to analyze data. The host demonstrates industry awareness at the end by mentioning OpenGov's work in municipal data analytics. | |
| Bipartisan Senate Dynamics and Immigration Reform | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | The host asks light conversational questions about Harris's transition to the Senate and interpersonal dynamics with colleagues. Harris shares an anecdote about Lindsey Graham and discusses her bipartisan efforts regarding H-1B visas and immigration reform. | |
| Cybersecurity Strategy and National Security | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | The host prompts Harris on what Washington can learn from Silicon Valley. Harris outlines a four-pillar public policy framework for cybersecurity covering prevention, detection, resilience, and accountability. | |
| Combating Cyber Exploitation and Federal Legislation | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Harris details her work prosecuting cyber exploitation, rejecting the media term 'revenge porn' and describing how she brought tech companies together to build reporting protocols. The host connects the issue across legal and national security domains before concluding. |