Big tech companies spent 113 million euros lobbying in the EU

According to research by the Brussels-based Corporate Europe Observatory and Cologne-based Lobbycontrol, lobbying expenditures by big tech companies towards the EU increased by 16.5 percent last year, reaching €113 million.

According to the research, a total of 651 companies and associations carried out lobbying activities in 2022 to try to guide the EU’s digital economy policies.

GOAL SPEND THE HIGHEST

Meta spent the most on lobbying among technology companies. While in 2021 Meta spent 5 million 750 thousand euros for its activities in the EU, last year this figure reached 8 million euros.

Apple’s lobbying expenses in the EU amounted to €3.5 million in 2021, reaching €7 million last year.

Chipmaker Qualcomm’s lobbying expenses also increased from 1,750,000 euros to 4 million euros.

Lobbying expenditures during the period in which new EU laws on digital platforms were being prepared drew attention.

As a result of their lobbying activities, technology companies have the opportunity to hold regular meetings and meetings with high-level EU officials. (AA)