Internet companies are continuing to increase their presence in Washington, D.C and their budgets for lobbying Congress and the executive branch. Google Inc. reported it spent $3,980,000 on lobbying during the fourth quarter, up from spending $3,370,000 in the third quarter. For all of 2013, Google Inc. spent $14,060,000 on lobbying. Google Inc. lobbies on issues, such as, online advertising, copyright/patents, consumer protection issues & privacy, trade, homeland security, science/technology, immigration, small business, taxation, telecommunications, and others. Other fourth quarter Internet company lobbying: Facebook Inc. spent $1,480,000 - up slightly from $1,440,000. Amazon spent $ 960,000 - up from $780,000. Yahoo Inc. spent $720,000 - up from $630,000. eBay Inc. spent $485,000 - down from $565,266. Twitter Inc. spent $50,000 - up from $40,000. Yelp Inc. spent $30,000 - its first report. (more…)
