Tech, Telecom Lobbying Post Q3 Gains

Most major tech and telecom firms increased Q3 lobbying spending over the same period last year, according to disclosure reports (see 1610210052). Google increased spending 9 percent to $4.17 million, and paid an additional $1.12 million to 25 outside firms. Consumer Watchdog Privacy Project Director John Simpson noted Google’s spending was close behind AT&T’s $4.43 million, with the two firms "spending the most money in the period to influence federal policymakers." AT&T reported an 8 percent increase. Comcast wasn't far behind, with $3.51 million, a 3 percent increase. Amazon continued its pace of gains, with a 25 percent increase to $3.41 million. It paid over a dozen firms $790,000 to work on a range of tech and business issues: immigration, digital ads, privacy, cybersecurity, tax and buying Whole Foods. Facebook spent $2.85 million, up 41 percent. Microsoft was an outlier, cutting spending 12 percent to $1.95 million. The company separately paid more than $1 million to 22 firms to work on cybersecurity and privacy, encryption and surveillance, copyright and IP, and tax-related issues. Uber, concerned about autonomous vehicle and privacy issues, reported a 50 percent jump to $510,000.