Net Neutrality, Tech Issues Focus in Q4 Lobbying Reports
Facebook spent significantly more in Q4 lobbying than during the previous year’s period, lobbying disclosures show. It spent $3 million, up from the $1.7 million last year. In addition to Facebook's report, the company reported paying firms including BakerHostetler; Blue Mountain Strategies, David Wade/GreenLight Strategies, Harbinger Strategies, Ogilvy Government Relations, Peck Madigan Jones, Signal Group Consulting, Steptoe & Johnson, Subject Matter and theGROUP $445,000 for technology policy work, including cybersecurity, advertising transparency and platform integrity.
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Verizon led communications sector companies according to reports filed by our deadline, at $2.26 million. Outside firms lobbying on Verizon’s behalf reported at least $661,000 received from the telco. Cox reported $830,000 in lobbying spending, and outside firms reported $150,000 in income from the cable company. CenturyLink reported $726,000 in expenditures, and outside firms reported $145,000 from the telco. Outside firms reported $1.89 million for lobbying on behalf of Comcast and $1.33 million for lobbying for AT&T. Lobbying firms reported $895,000 in income from Sprint and $718,000 from T-Mobile. Outside firms reported at least $428,000 in income for lobbying on behalf of Charter Communications and $235,000 from Dish Network.
NAB led in spending among telecom industry groups that filed reports so far, at more than $4 million. Outside firms reported at least $405,000 in lobbying income from the group. CTIA said it spent $3.77 million, and outside firms reported $440,000 in income from the group. The Wireless Infrastructure Association said it spent $210,000, while outside firms reported $120,000 from the group. The Telecommunications Industry Association spent $100,000 on lobbying, and Brownstein Hyatt reported $50,000 in income from TIA. Capitol Resources and Steptoe & Johnson reported a combined $40,000 from Incompas. Outside firms reported $30,000 in lobbying income from both the Competitive Carriers Association and NTCA.
Apple reported a nearly 25 percent gain to $1.6 million. Firms including Capitol Tax Partners, Carpi & Clay, CJ Lake, DLA Piper, King & Spalding Prime Policy Group, Glover Park Group and Top Issues were paid another $340,000 on issues including patents, copyright issues, music licensing, corporate and digital goods tax, student privacy, video programming, spectrum reallocation, net neutrality, and technology mandates regarding handset designs.
Microsoft hadn't filed its lobbying disclosure report yet, but nearly 20 firms reported receiving $987,000 to lobby on issues including immigration, broadband, tax, U.S./EU Privacy Shield and international cyber norms. Verizon's Oath spent $560,000, with consulting firms receiving another $210,000, nearly the same amount the company reported in the same quarter in 2016. The company focused on political ads, online behavioral advertising, privacy, big data, email privacy, online sex trafficking legislation, national security issues including national security letters, encryption and data security.
Google hadn't filed its lobbying disclosure report, but around 20 firms were paid nearly $865,000 on reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; online sex trafficking legislation in the House and Senate; cybersecurity; autonomous vehicles; drones; electronic communications privacy; corporate tax cuts; immigration and foreign visas; and international trade.
Close to a half-dozen firms working for Amazon reported receiving $670,000 on tech and other issues of concern to the company. Lobbying areas included the Remote Transactions Parity Act (HR-2775), tax cuts, drone technology, the Marketplace Fairness Act (S-976), market access issues, trade policy matters, customs duties and a farm bill.
Twitter consultants received $100,000 to lobby on issues including malicious communications on social media platforms, allegations of foreign governments using social media platforms to interfere with American elections; reforming government surveillance, cybersecurity; changes to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act; the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act; net neutrality; and the Browser Act (HR-2520). Consultants included Integrated Solutions Group, Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas and The Joseph Group.