The tech industry is dramatically increasing its influence in Brussels, spending a record €151 million annually on lobbying efforts – a more than 50% increase compared to four years ago. This finding, published Wednesday by NGOs Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) and Lobby Control, underscores a concerted effort to shape European Union (EU) regulations as they face external pressure from the US administration.
The Scale of Tech’s Influence
The significant rise in lobbying spending highlights the high stakes surrounding EU tech legislation. The spending figure – €151 million annually – represents a substantial investment aimed at influencing policy decisions that will profoundly impact the world’s largest technology companies. This surge reflects a heightened level of engagement as the EU pushes forward with sweeping new regulations.
Top Spenders and Rising Budgets
Several companies are driving this increase. Meta leads the way with €10 million spent, followed by Microsoft and Apple, each investing €7 million. Ten companies – Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Qualcomm, Google, Digital Europe, Telefonica, Intel, and Samsung – account for a substantial portion of the total spending, reaching €49 million annually.
Notably, several companies have significantly increased their lobbying budgets:
- Amazon: Up by €4.2 million
- Microsoft and Meta: Both up by €2 million
- Digital Europe: A business lobby group comprised of numerous major tech companies, increased its budget by €1.2 million.
External Pressure and Regulatory Pushback
This increased lobbying effort comes as EU tech legislation faces scrutiny and resistance. The US administration, under President Donald Trump, has voiced concerns regarding the EU’s proposed rules, arguing they are too restrictive and stifle innovation.
- Vice President JD Vance criticized Europe’s approach to free speech.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged diplomats to undermine the EU’s Digital Services Act.
This external pressure has created a debate surrounding the EU’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Act, which aims to regulate AI systems based on their potential risks to society.
Concerns about Corporate Influence
The substantial increase in lobbying spending is raising alarms among advocacy groups. Bram Vranken, a Corporate Europe Observatory researcher, called it “highly alarming,” emphasizing that the European Commission should prioritize enforcing its digital rulebook rather than yielding to corporate interests.
“The Commission should double down on enforcing its digital rulebook, not bend over to powerful corporate interests,” Vranken stated.
Potential Regulatory Adjustments
While the European Commission denies any plans to pause the AI Act’s implementation, an upcoming digital simplification package – scheduled for release in mid-November – could offer some relief for companies subject to the AI Act. This signals a potential willingness to adjust regulations in response to corporate concerns, although the extent of these adjustments remains to be seen.
EU Response to US Threats
The situation has been complicated further by threats of tariffs from the US, prompting EU lawmakers to urge a stronger response from Commissioner for Tech, Henna Virkkunen. While a Commission spokesperson defended Virkkunen, asserting that she will “fight back against all unfounded claims,” some lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of concrete action following Trump’s warning that countries disrespecting US tech companies could face consequences.
The rise in Big Tech’s lobbying presence in Brussels underscores the intense battle underway to shape the future of digital regulation in Europe. The outcome of this struggle will have significant implications for innovation, competition, and consumer rights globally. Euronews has reached out to Meta, Microsoft, and Apple for comment
