This Tech Mogul Secretly Funded A Discredited Race Science Group

An undercover investigation has exposed a secretive international network promoting discredited “race science” ideologies, with financial backing from US tech entrepreneur Andrew Conru, The Guardian reports.

Known as the Human Diversity Foundation (HDF), the group has operated for two years, disseminating ideas on genetic superiority through podcasts, videos, and online publications. 

The anti-racism organization Hope Not Hate initiated the investigation, revealing that Conru, a millionaire behind popular dating sites, had donated over $1 million to the group. 

Following inquiries, he withdrew his support, citing a deviation from HDF’s original mission of non-partisan academic research.

Dangerous Ideologies and Political Ambitions

HDF promotes widely discredited beliefs about genetic differences between races, arguing that these differences explain disparities in intelligence and criminal behavior more than social factors like discrimination. 

Such ideas are often labeled “scientific racism” and have been denounced by experts as politically motivated and harmful. 

According to Dr. Rebecca Sear of Brunel University, these beliefs are used to argue against policies that seek to reduce racial inequality and to support restrictive immigration measures. 

HDF’s organizer, a former teacher known as Matthew Frost, was recorded discussing “remigration” — a euphemism for deporting ethnic minorities — in line with far-right rhetoric gaining traction in Europe and the US.

Read: Tech Elite’s AI Ideologies Have Racist Foundations, Say AI Ethicists

Links to Far-Right Extremism

The network has connections to far-right extremists in Germany, such as Erik Ahrens, an activist associated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. 

Ahrens has been flagged as a high-risk extremist by German authorities due to his radicalization efforts, particularly among young people. 

At an event in London, he spoke about restoring “white society” and forming elite groups inspired by historical paramilitary models like the SS. 

The group’s underground activities include research projects on topics such as “international dysgenics” and selective breeding, with members allegedly aiming to reshape societal norms through covert influence.

Conru’s Withdrawal Amid Backlash

Andrew Conru’s involvement came to light through undercover recordings, which showed his initial $1.3 million investment was intended to scale the foundation’s activities. 

Upon learning of the group’s controversial evolution, Conru ceased his financial support and distanced himself from HDF. 

His spokesperson confirmed that Conru, who had funded a variety of philanthropic causes, rejected racism and discrimination, and was unaware of Ahrens’s extremist affiliations.