Big Tech Firms Spend $17.5 Million to Influence Global Rules in Q1 2025

Tech companies spent more than $17.5 million on lobbying in the first three months of 2025, a rise from last year. This money is used to influence new laws about AI and online content.
By Newsroom | Technology, Business |

Major technology companies are employing broad strategies, including significant financial investments and complex influence networks, to counter new regulations impacting their operations worldwide. These efforts aim to affect legislation concerning content remuneration, artificial intelligence (AI) development, and the impact of social media on young people.

Recent analyses reveal that companies like Meta, Alphabet (Google's parent company), Microsoft, ByteDance, X (formerly Twitter), and Snap collectively spent over $17.5 million on lobbying in the first three months of 2025. This sum represents an increase compared to the same period in 2024, indicating a heightened focus on influencing policy. These companies are also using other means to gain access and favor with new administrations and legislative bodies, including significant donations and sponsorships of public events.

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Global Pushback Against Content Laws

A significant area of contention involves laws that require online platforms to pay for journalistic content. These are often referred to as bargaining codes. Companies are reportedly using tactics to weaken these regulations.

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  • Astroturfing: This involves funding initiatives that appear independent but serve the interests of large tech companies by opposing new rules.

  • Public Relations Campaigns: Efforts are being made to frame regulation as excessive bureaucracy, thereby influencing public perception and potentially lawmakers.

  • "Shadowy Lobbying Networks": Investigations point to a system of influence that uses former officials, trade groups, and front organizations to obscure the direct involvement of tech companies. A notable example cited is former Brazilian President Michel Temer, who acted as an intermediary in platform regulation negotiations.

  • Threats of Service Withdrawal: Companies like Google have reportedly threatened to remove news content from their platforms in response to regulatory pressures. This strategy aims to create leverage in negotiations.

Shaping AI Development Policies

As governments worldwide grapple with the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence, major tech firms are actively engaging in lobbying efforts to influence AI policy. This surge in lobbying comes as federal AI legislation begins to appear more feasible.

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  • Increased Lobbying Activity: Companies at the forefront of AI development, such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere, have increased their lobbying disclosures.

  • Focus on AI Legislation: The period has seen significant AI-related policy developments, including executive orders and updated AI laws in the U.S. and E.U., as well as international summits focused on AI safety.

  • Broad Interests: The specific aims of this AI lobbying are varied, but they center on ensuring their interests are considered as new regulations and policies are formulated.

In addition to direct lobbying, tech companies are also using legal avenues to challenge regulations. This is particularly evident in efforts to block state-level measures aimed at addressing the impact of social media on young users.

  • Lawsuits Against State Laws: Groups representing major tech companies, such as NetChoice (which includes Google, Amazon, and Meta among its members), have filed lawsuits to block state laws. These laws often aim to add warnings to social media platforms or restrict how young people use them.

  • Arguments Against Regulations: Lawsuits contend that such regulations could force companies to collect sensitive user information, like age, and restrict access to legally permissible content for both adults and minors.

  • Specific Measures Targeted: One instance involves a California bill that proposed warning labels on social media sites, similar to those on tobacco products. Tech lobbyists are actively working to prevent the implementation of such measures.

Influence on Antitrust and Broader Policy

Beyond specific content or AI rules, lobbying efforts by big tech companies also extend to broader policy areas, including antitrust concerns. The aim appears to be to shape the overall legislative agenda and maintain their dominant market positions.

  • Expanding Lobbying Operations: Reports indicate a significant expansion of lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, with the goal of shaping lawmakers' priorities.

  • Financial Investment: The substantial financial investment in lobbying underscores the importance tech giants place on influencing legislative outcomes.

  • Addressing Power Asymmetries: Some analyses suggest that current policy responses may not adequately address the fundamental power imbalances held by big tech companies, which can hinder effective regulation and perpetuate harms.

Expert Analysis

"The scale and breadth of these lobbying operations suggest a coordinated effort to maintain the status quo and resist regulatory frameworks that could alter their business models. The use of intermediaries and front groups is a tactic designed to create distance between the ultimate beneficiaries and the influence activities."

— An excerpt from RSF's investigation into information space regulations.

"When substantial federal legislation begins to appear on the horizon, lobbyists often flood into Washington to advocate for their organizations' interests. This is a predictable response from industries that stand to be significantly impacted by new laws."

— Analysis from TIME magazine regarding AI policy lobbying.

"Big tech and social media giants have deployed various strategies to secure access and influence with both the new Congress and the new administration. This includes substantial lobbying expenditures and other forms of engagement."

— Issue One's report on first-quarter lobbying activities.

Conclusion and Implications

The evidence indicates that major technology companies are employing a multi-faceted and well-funded approach to influence regulatory outcomes globally. This includes direct lobbying, the use of complex influence networks, and legal challenges to legislation they deem unfavorable. The significant financial resources dedicated to these efforts suggest a strong commitment to shaping the digital landscape according to their interests.

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The findings raise important questions about the transparency of influence in policy-making and the potential for regulatory capture. As lawmakers continue to address complex issues related to digital platforms, the pervasive efforts of big tech firms will likely remain a critical factor in the legislative process. The ongoing challenge for policymakers is to develop effective regulations that balance innovation with public interest, while navigating the considerable influence of powerful industry players.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much money did big tech companies spend on lobbying in early 2025?
In the first three months of 2025, major technology companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft spent over $17.5 million on lobbying. This is more than they spent in the same period in 2024.
Q: What global rules are big tech firms trying to influence?
Big tech firms are trying to influence rules about paying for news content, how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developed, and the effects of social media on young people. They want to shape these laws to benefit their businesses.
Q: What methods do big tech companies use to influence rules?
Companies use direct lobbying, give money to groups that seem independent, run public relations campaigns, and sometimes threaten to stop offering services like news on their platforms. They also use former government officials to help them.
Q: Are tech companies also using lawsuits to fight new rules?
Yes, tech companies are using lawsuits to challenge new rules, especially state laws in the US. These laws often aim to put warning labels on social media or limit how young people use the platforms.
Q: Why is big tech spending so much money on lobbying?
They are spending this money because new laws could greatly change how they do business. They want to make sure the rules are written in a way that protects their profits and market position.