Technology Used in Lobbying

  • 10 February 2020 | 1011 Views | By Mint2Save
Tech in Lobbying

The origins of the word lie in the German word for “hall or roof,” i.e., louba. The term is inspired by when individuals have meetings to influence the legislature, and when for this, they would be in “lobbies,” holding discussions. Therefore, Lobbying is when groups or individuals seek to influence a politician or the government to garner support for a favorable change in the law. 

In contemporary times, this has been primarily employed by tech companies to function better and grow further. There are several factors to consider, as this is a matter of both the real and the virtual world.

Lobbyists: Their work

Lobbyists are persons who get paid to influence. These persons possess the knowledge and technical procedures to pave their way up to the very process of lawmaking. They often acquire such power through experience in working closely with or within the government. 

Lobbying is legal

Based on the needs and interests of the concerned clients, lobbyists present them to the lawmakers, with thorough research. Such preparation displays their view clearly so that they can persuade for alterations in rules and regulations.

Support for Lobbying

Lobbying often stands in comparison to bribing and extortion. People and groups have been spending millions to access these influencers. The grass may not seem greener on the other side since this cannot be said the proper practice of working. The main aim here is mostly fulfilling one’s interests. This takes place through influence, which is bought with money.

However, there are several arguments in support of Lobbying. One of the top ones is that of “special interests.” One such notable example is that of the various unions that take the help of Lobbying to make sure the government hears their issues.

It has often been argued that the responsibilities of the legislature are executed better with the help of Lobbying. This helps them to know matters concerning the citizens. Better knowledge helps the government to stay on track and be more relevant. Lobbyists are well equipped with the facts and figures of the issues they represent, as this is their sole interest. Proper research helps them argue with clear insight — policies made in a more beneficial direction.  

Lobbying is also viewed as a constitutionally protected tool. This is done with reference to the words stated in the Constitution of the United States – “the right of the people…to petition the government for a redress of grievances”.

Lobbying has also come to be more regulated in the US. This is done with the famous law – Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946). This law requires the lobbyists to register themselves and report their expenditures. The groups that they represent to the legislature have also to be shown clearly. Reports have to be prepared for the same. This, however, poses a doubt when indirect lobbying practice is concerned.

Lobbying Needs

Keeping in mind the very concept of a republic that functions for the welfare of its people, the citizens need something to be better heard. These people who seek answers, assistance, and protection from their government may often not be heard. In such a scenario, Lobbying appears to be a method that will help them petition lawmakers and be heard.

Lobbying has gained support as being a part of what we call “participatory democracy.” Here, lobbyists represent the views of the people as they have access to the government on a much personal level. In this manner, Lobbying can be said to have a broader scope of impact, where the influence on legislation will inherently affect all the citizens.

The pro point of Lobbying

Lobbying sure can have a positive impact and can help the citizens to live in this democracy. But, small groups with immense power may often exert their influence to alter laws, rules, and regulations, and that too, at the expense of the ordinary citizens. This is coupled with the unfair environment, unfair advantages, and policies.

A new turn to Lobbying – the Use of Tech

Lobbying, in contemporary times, has come to be primarily practiced by tech giants. They have effectively replaced banks and pharmacy companies in the US. Internet companies are ruling this arena. Right from Silicon Valley, Alphabet Inc. has spent the maximum, way more than any other tech giant. Its total expenditure for 2018 was a herculean sum of $21.74 million.  Amazon.com further followed it.

Through such an influence, Google managed to lobby the bills that were related to ads, music, drones, data privacy, human trafficking, cybersecurity, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), etc. Google and Facebook have lobbied to the government concerning policies on the Honest Ads Act so that there is greater transparency.  

A topic of constant discussion is that of surveillance, especially when government requests data. Companies like Google have consistently laid influence on the Email Privacy Act that would require the government to have a warrant before they make any requests to access emails. 

Lobbying for the Soft Power

The players from the Silicon Valley influence policymakers with the help of their “soft power.” These include think tanks, research, trading associations. Such bodies have access to the government and can help lobby various policies. Other methods include multi-million dollar events such as conferences. These are places where famous people and great minds can be brought together so that policies and interests can be discussed, and accordingly, they can be conveyed.

The “soft power” refers to the active communication ties that are developed with the government by these tech companies to address issues relating to new forms of technology, like AI. Better communication helps to avoid arbitrary regulations or backlash that can be harmful to the business.

This practice can be dated back to the 1990s when these tech companies made their way up the ladder in Silicon Valley by laws that were very different from this physical world. The virtual, staunchly separated from the material. The free-market ideology propagated by Bill Clinton helped these tech companies to perform better, with the eased laws.

Government’s Role 

The government has played its part in intervening in the forming of monopolies in the tech industry. Their intervention gives way to other companies, in the form of competition to come up and flourish. Therefore, we can conclude that many of these tech giants have expertly come up as a result of this government intervention, an outcome of Lobbying.

The government has further taken proactive steps to regulate data stored. Cloud computing policies are in draft. Also, e-commerce and payment tech companies are in check.

Lobbying wins – India 

Tech companies have had their share of victory with the help of Lobbying. One such example is the 100% FDI approval from the government in the online retail sector. The ease has paved the way for many fintech startups to come up and grow. 

E-commerce giants from India, such as Flipkart and Ola, have formed Indiatech.org to represent the interests of local tech ventures better. For matters relating to virtual currency, the Digital Assets and Blockchain Foundation has been created.  

Lobbying groups have also come up to address issues on new technology. These groups continuously work to answer questions about this subject. They have even sworn to take more responsibility for their operations. Some companies, especially online gaming companies, have come up with strategies to fix know-your-customer norms. Such an approach will help to detect fraud.  

The Concern 

The tech leaders have been spending handsome amounts, year after year, to bring about forward-thinking policies. These are for the betterment of the people on the digital front, like internet privacy, visas, net neutrality, etc. However, such a tilt of influencing power on one side may pose many problems. It has become subject to some concern that these tech giants will become monopolies will be the ones earning profits, that too at the expense of smaller businesses and democracy.

The increase in spending on lobbying practice has been seen as a potential obstacle to lawmakers. These lawmakers are trying to create laws along the lines of privacy. Such a move may overpower the voice of the people, who are continually seeking data security.

Lobbying in the digital arena will have an impact on everyone, the people, and the countries; all put together. The effect is broad because of the interconnected nature of the technological world. Thus, the practice of Lobbying must be viewed carefully by the legislators and the people who operate these internet giants. Their working must be more about the responsibility that they owe to the people.

Related Posts

Search