ExtraTorrent - Among Tech Firms Google Spent the Most on Lobbying

[Atreides]

It turned out that the search giant was spending the most on schmoozing American politicians. The recent survey added up the efforts of tech giants to lobby politicians and used figures from disclosure forms filed with the clerk of the House of Representatives.
 

The figures revealed that although Google cut its spending on lobbyists, the company still spent over $3 million during the 3rd quarter, which is almost 3 times what Facebook spent within the same period. Thus, the search giant took the first place, outpacing Microsoft ($2.2 million), IBM ($1.18 million), Facebook (($1.4 million) and Oracle ($1.36 million).

As for telecom giants, AT&T is leading with its $4.3 million, followed by Verizon ($3 million) and Verizon Wireless ($1.2 million).

The same research points out that Facebook’s spending on lobbying increased 47% between 2012 and 2013 – from $980,000 to 1.4 million. In the meantime, Microsoft also boosted its spending by 20%, from $1.9 million to $2.2 million.

One more company that has decided it should grease a few palms is Apple – its lobbying efforts shot up 111% between the 3rd quarter of 2012 and 2013. Nevertheless, Apple didn’t spend that much – less than $1 million this year. Cisco Systems spent $890,000 and Intel – $980,000.

Anyway, AT&T and Google are not the biggest buyers of political influence. The research revealed that the US Chamber of Commerce has spent almost $36 million on lobbying so far, while the National Association of Realtors wrote a check for $18 million.