Minnesota's largest technology companies and their trade associations have increased their lobbying spending in recent years, according to state data. campaign finance committee.
This spending reflects concerns about new regulatory proposals such as the Minnesota Age-Appropriate Design Standards Act (HF2257/SF2810) aims to enhance the safety and privacy of children using popular services such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
In 2021, state lobbying spending from the so-called Big Five tech companies (Alphabet/Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta/Facebook, and Microsoft) and related trade associations amounted to less than $500,000. By 2023, when Minnesota's online safety bill was first introduced, that number had jumped to nearly $800,000 for him.
Experts say this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to big tech companies' efforts to block new regulations.
“They also fund state and local think tanks, academics, and industry groups, and employ former state officials who are known to influence current legislators,” Executive Director Jeff Hauser said. says Mr. DC Revolving Door Project., track political influence.
“They often even fund organizations that have no obvious connection to technology policy in order to generate goodwill,” Hauser added. “For example, you can fund community groups and have their leaders sign a letter opposing reform efforts.”
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent billions of dollars to win goodwill and eliminate opposition to his controversial third term despite the city's strict term limits. Notable modern pioneer of this tactic.
And now, technology companies sitting on a pile of cashis used all over the country.
For example, Google has funded: Numerous nonprofit organizations in Minnesotainclude $1 million to economic justice organizations in St. Paulsimilarly “Digital Wellbeing” Subsidy For schools in Minnesota.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, hundreds of thousands of dollars to local media including min post, sahan journal And that star tribune. The latter media outlets campaigned against the bill when it was introduced last year.
Created by video sharing site TikTok Initial Minnesota Lobbying Spending in 2023, spending $65,000.including industry associations TechNet, Consumer Technology Association And that Entertainment Software Association It also made notable new spending in 2022 and 2023.
Big Tech's national lobbying efforts include: Smaller version of federal influence operations. These companies are typically well-funded and can spend many times more than their opponents, giving them significant influence at the national level.
Invoice contents
of Minnesota High Tech Safety Bill Requires companies to automatically implement the strictest possible privacy settings for minor users, limit the data they can collect about children, and prohibit monitoring of children.
It further states that when the two conflict, companies must “prioritize children's privacy, safety and well-being over commercial interests” and that companies must conduct “data protection impact assessments” when introducing some new services. Companies are required to complete the following:
in testimony submittedthe Computer and Communications Industry Association warned that the bill could deny children “participation in supportive online communities that may not be available in their local physical location,” but at the same time the Constitution It also raised First Amendment concerns.
This law is supported by various public health and good governance organizations. Gigi Chawla, chief of pediatrics at Children's Minnesota, said: wrote in the submitted testimony. The bill would make children's online experiences safer and give them “an opportunity to enjoy some of the benefits of social media, including community, social support, and learning, while protecting them from harm.” It is said that it will be done.
The bill is currently moving through a House committee.
