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Google, Facebook and Microsoft were the biggest contributors to lobbying for their interests in the digital economy in the European Union, shows a study conducted by campaign groups Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl, Reuters reports.
Google's annual spending in this area exceeded €5.75 million, followed by Facebook with €5.5 million and Microsoft with €5.25 million, Apple spent €3.5 million for the same purpose, Huawei - €3 million, Amazon - € 2.75 million.
The study found that 612 companies, groups and associations spend more than €97 million annually on digital economy lobbying in the EU. Their efforts are directed against laws that enshrine the possibility of restraining U.S. tech giants.
Tech companies have overtaken the pharmaceutical, mining, financial and chemical sectors that used to dominate lobbying, the agency noted.
The companies submitted data to the EU Transparency Registry by mid-June this year. Google and Huawei responded to the agency that they submit their lobbying data to the registry.
"We have a clear policy to protect the independence of the people and organizations we sponsor, including the requirement to disclose funding information," Google said in an email. Microsoft said: "We strive to be a constructive and transparent partner to European politicians." Facebook, Apple and Amazon did not comment.
source: reuters.com
Google's annual spending in this area exceeded €5.75 million, followed by Facebook with €5.5 million and Microsoft with €5.25 million, Apple spent €3.5 million for the same purpose, Huawei - €3 million, Amazon - € 2.75 million.
The study found that 612 companies, groups and associations spend more than €97 million annually on digital economy lobbying in the EU. Their efforts are directed against laws that enshrine the possibility of restraining U.S. tech giants.
Tech companies have overtaken the pharmaceutical, mining, financial and chemical sectors that used to dominate lobbying, the agency noted.
The companies submitted data to the EU Transparency Registry by mid-June this year. Google and Huawei responded to the agency that they submit their lobbying data to the registry.
"We have a clear policy to protect the independence of the people and organizations we sponsor, including the requirement to disclose funding information," Google said in an email. Microsoft said: "We strive to be a constructive and transparent partner to European politicians." Facebook, Apple and Amazon did not comment.
source: reuters.com
