American tech giants strengthen their influence in Brussels
American tech giants are significantly ramping up their lobbying efforts in Brussels. A new analysis by Politico has revealed a sharp rise in spending by tech companies seeking to influence EU digital regulation. This was reported by Politico.
The 733 digital industry groups registered in Brussels now spend a combined €151 million a year on lobbying, a significant increase from the €113 million two years ago. This surge coincides with the tech sector’s growing resistance to European laws such as the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. These laws are under fire, particularly from the Trump administration, which claims they unfairly target American companies.
An analysis by Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl – two nonprofit organisations focused on corporate influence – shows that lobbying spending is concentrated among large technology companies, most of which are based in the United States. The 10 biggest tech firms spend more on lobbying than the 10 largest companies in sectors like pharmaceuticals, finance, and the automotive industry combined.
Notable increases in spending have been seen at Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta since 2023. Digital Europe, a Brussels-based lobbying group that represents many US-based tech giants, has also significantly raised its lobbying budget. Meta is currently the largest lobbyist in the EU, with a budget exceeding €10 million.
There is concern that this upsurge in lobbying could undermine the progress made over the years to mitigate the negative impacts of technology and restrict the power of Big Tech.
While tech firms argue that lobbying is essential to help lawmakers understand the complexity of the industry, critics claim these efforts are primarily aimed at exerting undue influence on policy decisions. Advocates for transparency also point out that current rules on meetings between lobbyists and EU officials are not transparent enough.
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