Protesters target Ripple co-founder over police surveillance funding

The demonstration centered on Larsen’s role in funding the San Francisco Police Department’s Real-Time Investigations Center. Through his foundation, Larsen committed $7.25 million toward the facility’s relocation, while Ripple provided rent-free office space valued at $2.15 million. This arrangement, approved by city officials in 2025, integrates emergency calls, drones, and automated license plate readers into a single hub. While officials credit the technology with assisting in over 500 arrests, critics argue that the reliance on private donors for public infrastructure invites a lack of accountability.

Privacy concerns have intensified following a recent audit that uncovered nearly 300 improper searches of local license plate data by federal and out-of-state agencies. While the San Francisco Police Department subsequently restricted access to the data, the incident fueled demands from groups like the Sunrise Movement to terminate contracts with Flock Safety, the company behind the cameras. Flock recently introduced new safeguards, including shorter data retention periods and mandatory misuse detection, to address these concerns. Despite the mounting pressure, San Francisco officials remain committed to the current surveillance infrastructure, and Larsen has not issued a public response to the activists.