The reports are out and both Facebook and Google spent record amounts on lobbying in 2012, up 196% and 70% over 2011. The social giant spent a record $1.4 million on lobbying in Q4 2012 while the search giant spent about $3.35 million on lobbying in Q4 2012.
Facebook spent on the following lobbying issues:
- International regulation of software companies; restrictions on Internet access by foreign governments; protecting and advancing online freedom of expression.
- Federal policy on issues relevant to technology and Internet policy including privacy, security, protecting children and online safety.
- Education regarding Internet media information security policy and Internet privacy issues; federal privacy legislation; freedom of expression on the Internet.
- Education regarding online advertising.
- Discussions regarding reform of immigration system, including temporary high-tech worker visas and
- employment-based permanent residency.
- Discussions regarding cyber security and data security.
While, Google spent on the following lobbying issues:
- Regulation of online advertising.
- Privacy and competition issues in online advertising.
- Music licensing and treatment of “orphan” works.
- Intellectual property enforcement.
- Consumer energy information.
- Cybersecurity.
- High Skilled Immigration and Job Creation.
- Openness and competition issues in online services.
- Autonomous Vehicle Technology.
- Online small business advertising issues, benefits of cloud computing and online advertising for small businesses.
- International tax reform.
- Open Internet access.
- Government access to communications.
- Spectrum allocation.
- Broadband Adoption and Deployment.
- Freedom of expression and intellectual property in international trade agreements.
- YouTube Issues.
- Google Earth issues.