[kitcar]

From what I have been told by YC alum the assignment process for application review is randomized, meaning it is hypothetically possible that a direct competitor may read your application.

As a counter point, if you want to raise external funding, you probably should accept the fact you will likely have to share your idea without protection - as its unlikely any VC will sign an NDA, and you have no idea who they will push your pitch deck to in order to get a 2nd opinion.