Google’s and Facebook’s lobbying efforts have continued to grow this quarter. For the third quarter of 2010, Google spent $1.2 million on lobbying efforts compared to $1.08 million in the same quarter last year. The seach giant is already close to spending more in the first three quarters ($3.92 million so far this year) than in all of 2009 ($4.03 million). Google is on track to spend $5 million on lobbying this year Facebook doubled its lobbying spending this year from $60,000 in the second quarter to $120,000 in the third quarter. But the social network spent slightly less than the same quarter last year ($121,000). You can find the reports from the U.S. Senate’s lobbying database here.
For Google, this quarter’s lobbying efforts were slightly lower than previous quarters this year. Q2 came in at $1.34 million, with Google spending $1.38 million in the first quarter of 2010. According to a release from organization Consumer Watchdog, Google outspent a number of other technology companies this quarter including Apple ($340,000) and Facebook. Microsoft, however, spent $1.63 million in the third quarter.
Google’s lobbying strategy for this quarter included immigration, online advertising regulation including privacy and competition issues, patent reform, online consumer protection, cloud computing, renewable energy, smart grid, Congressional Internet service usage rules and broadband access.
Another area where Google put its lobbying resources was “openness and competition in the online services market,” specifically related to the $700 million acquisition of travel software company ITA. The deal is reportedly being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department.
Facebook spent its lobbying money on global regulation of software companies and restrictions on internet access by foreign governments; cyber security policy, internet privacy regulations, and FCC regulations on net neutrality. None of these topics are that surprising, especially considering Facebook’s recent issues with online privacy. In July, Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said ninety percent of the D.C. staff’s day is focused on privacy.
Photo Credit/Flickr/VinothChandar