Big changes are happening in EU tech lobbying. A new report shows that major tech companies are spending large amounts of money to influence policy in Brussels. The focus is on how digital rules in Europe are made and changed.
The report says that Meta is once again at the top. The company spent about €10 million in one year on policy influence work in the European Union. This keeps Meta ahead of other big technology firms in lobbying activity in Brussels.
The findings come from a joint report by Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl. These groups track lobbying activity across different industries. They aim to show how much companies spend to influence laws and policy decisions.
The report also uses data from LobbyFacts. This platform collects information from the European Union’s Transparency Register. Companies list their own lobbying spending there, which is then analyzed by researchers.
Along with Meta, other major companies also spent large amounts. Amazon spent around €9 million. Apple spent about €8 million. Microsoft spent €7 million. Google spent around €5.5 million. These companies are all part of the global tech industry that is active in Brussels policy discussions.
In total, the tech sector spent about €73 million on lobbying in one year. This covers the period from May 2025 to May 2026. The report says this is the highest spending sector in Brussels. It also shows that tech lobbying has grown over time.
Over the last six years, spending has increased by about €26.7 million. This shows a steady rise in EU tech lobbying activity. The report says the ranking of top companies has not changed much since 2020. But total spending has continued to grow year after year.
The researchers say this rise in spending is linked to changes in EU policy direction. The European Commission has been reviewing its digital laws. It has proposed changes under a set of “omnibus” plans. These are aimed at simplifying existing tech rules.
However, the watchdog groups say this process may go beyond simplification. They argue it could lead to weaker digital protections for users. They say industry voices are playing a strong role in shaping these changes.
One researcher from Corporate Europe Observatory said the tech industry is actively pushing to change Europe’s digital rules. He said that high levels of lobbying spending show strong pressure on lawmakers. According to the report, this influence is growing as new laws are being discussed.
The report also highlights Amazon’s increase in lobbying spending. The company raised its declared spending by €7.25 million over the period studied. This was the largest increase among major tech firms. It shows how fast lobbying efforts have expanded in recent years.
The groups behind the report say that Big Tech influence may already be affecting policy outcomes. They claim that the European Commission’s digital reform plans have taken input from large technology companies. This includes proposals linked to privacy and data rules.
They warn that this influence could continue in future laws. One key upcoming law is the Digital Fairness Act. This proposal is expected to focus on online consumer protection. It may target issues like dark patterns in apps and addictive design features that affect users’ behavior.
However, the report says this new law is already facing strong pressure. The watchdog groups warn that parts of the proposal could be weakened or even dropped. They say this shows how EU tech lobbying may shape not only current laws but also future digital rules.
Despite criticism, tech companies continue to defend their engagement with EU policymakers. They say they take part in consultations to ensure laws are practical and workable. They also argue that digital regulation should support innovation and growth in Europe.
Still, the report suggests that the balance of influence is a key concern. With billions spent globally on technology policy, the debate over transparency and fairness in lobbying is expected to continue.
For now, Brussels remains a major center for digital rule-making. And with rising spending from the world’s largest tech companies, EU tech lobbying is likely to stay at the center of European policy discussions in the years ahead.
