Why One Internet Pioneer Thinks the Original Model Broke

a16z’s Joel de la Garza sits down with DoxxNet founder Barrett Lyon to discuss what it would take to rebuild the internet around privacy, direct communication, and less dependence on centralized intermediaries. Barrett explains why he thinks traditional VPNs only solve part of the problem and how DoxxNet is building a parallel mesh network where users can communicate peer-to-peer, transfer large files, make calls, and message without routing those interactions through a central application server. He also explains why the company owns its infrastructure and runs its AI systems locally rather than relying on third-party inference providers. doxxnet_assembly They also get into the growing amount of tracking embedded across the internet, what happens when that data can be analyzed by increasingly capable AI, and why Barrett believes the underlying protocols of the internet are due for another wave of experimentation. Along the way, he shares lessons from decades of building internet infrastructure, from fighting early DDoS attacks to mapping the internet and building global networks. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Barrett's engine failure over Oakland 07:08 - What Doxxnet actually is 10:11 - When censorship comes home to the US 12:59 - Why VPNs don't cut it 17:56 - The FBI's trojan messaging app 22:05 - Running a network with AI, no sysadmin 25:03 - The data center misinformation campaign 28:40 - Ad trackers know you better than your spouse 32:35 - Prolexic, Russian hackers, and MoMA Resources: Learn more about DoxxNet: https://doxx.net Follow Barrett Lyon on X: https://x.com/BarrettLyon Follow Joel de la Garza on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/3448827723723234/ Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

Joel de la GarzahostBarrett Lyonguest

Oct 1, 202645mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: October 1, 2026
Duration: 45m
Channel: a16z
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

a16z’s Joel de la Garza sits down with DoxxNet founder Barrett Lyon to discuss what it would take to rebuild the internet around privacy, direct communication, and less dependence on centralized intermediaries. Barrett explains why he thinks traditional VPNs only solve part of the problem and how DoxxNet is building a parallel mesh network where users can communicate peer-to-peer, transfer large files, make calls, and message without routing those interactions through a central application server. He also explains why the company owns its infrastructure and runs its AI systems locally rather than relying on third-party inference providers. doxxnet_assembly They also get into the growing amount of tracking embedded across the internet, what happens when that data can be analyzed by increasingly capable AI, and why Barrett believes the underlying protocols of the internet are due for another wave of experimentation. Along the way, he shares lessons from decades of building internet infrastructure, from fighting early DDoS attacks to mapping the internet and building global networks. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Barrett's engine failure over Oakland 07:08 - What Doxxnet actually is 10:11 - When censorship comes home to the US 12:59 - Why VPNs don't cut it 17:56 - The FBI's trojan messaging app 22:05 - Running a network with AI, no sysadmin 25:03 - The data center misinformation campaign 28:40 - Ad trackers know you better than your spouse 32:35 - Prolexic, Russian hackers, and MoMA Resources: Learn more about DoxxNet: https://doxx.net Follow Barrett Lyon on X: https://x.com/BarrettLyon Follow Joel de la Garza on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/3448827723723234/ Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

SPEAKERS

Joel de la Garza
host
a16z host/interviewer who guides the conversation and introduces the guest.
Barrett Lyon
guest
internet security pioneer and founder of DDoS mitigation company Prolexic; builder of privacy-focused networking projects including DoxxNet.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Joel de la Garza and Barrett Lyon, Why One Internet Pioneer Thinks the Original Model Broke explores barrett Lyon on rebuilding privacy with a parallel, P2P internet Barrett Lyon argues the internet’s original open design has been undermined by centralized platforms, surveillance economics, and protocol stagnation that forces users to trust intermediaries.

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