AfterDawn: Tech news

Internet titans form US lobbying group

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Jul 2012 3:24 User comments (3)

Internet titans form US lobbying group Internet giants Facebook, Google, Amazon and eBay have teamed together to form a new US lobbying group.
The group will be called the Internet Association, and will launch in September. The group will lobby for Internet issues in Washington including political and regulatory ones.

Google is a large spender on lobbying, having already spent $5.4 million in 2012. Facebook spent $650,000 so far this year, as well.

The group's main goal, however, is to "educate lawmakers" about the Internet. "We want to educate [lawmakers] about the impact of the internet in their congressional districts," says former adviser to the chairman of the House of Representatives Energy And Commerce Committee and new Internet Association president Michael Beckerman.

More companies have joined the group, but they will be revealed in September, added Beckerman.

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3 user comments

128.7.2012 16:06

Sounds like this could be a double edged sword, and I bet they will favor ISP providers, and not users/consumers. Just my opinion.

228.7.2012 16:37

Quote:
Sounds like this could be a double edged sword, and I bet they will favor ISP providers, and not users/consumers. Just my opinion.
I would say your assumption is rather logical. It wouldn't surprise me that this group will lobby for an internet tax and net neutrality as well.

328.7.2012 16:43

After my verbal assault on my ISP for "forced admission of guilt - by proxy" because EA wants a scapegoat for some asshole that downloaded one of their 4+ year old games on my IP address - Yeah, I'm right there with you, who's side are they on?

Not only do the ISPs discriminate without regard, but there also seems to be no statue of limitations on violations either. I can't blame the article too hard for being vague, but that's also what makes it dangerous...

Just 'what' indeed do they want to 'educate' the idiot asshole babies on the hill about? Being Fortune 500 I'll guarantee you it isn't Joe the Plumber & his idiot clan. Nor is it anyone considered under the 1%.

Frankly? I'm a bit scared that they came outright & boldly told us that this is what they were doing. Talk about "ballsie".

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