TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have collectively spent over $7 million in 2023 to influence Congress and federal officials in an effort to prevent potential legislation that could ban the popular social media app in the United States. ByteDance alone allocated a record-breaking $2.68 million on in-house TikTok lobbyists in the first quarter of the year. Moreover, TikTok invested over $4.5 million in a television and digital ad campaign aimed at advocating against any legislation that might pose a threat to the app’s operations.
The recent disclosures shed light on the extensive efforts made by TikTok and ByteDance to engage with policymakers in Washington. Both companies lobbied Congress and President Joe Biden’s executive office last quarter. The House has already passed legislation that would require ByteDance to divest TikTok within nine months, under the threat of a ban in the U.S. Similarly, the Senate is expected to vote on a similar bill in the coming days. A previous bill aimed at mandating divestment within six months had passed in the House earlier this year but stalled in the Senate.
Apart from in-house lobbying, ByteDance also engaged the services of external consultants to strengthen their advocacy efforts. Notably, veteran lobbyist David Urban was paid $80,000 by ByteDance in the last quarter to influence Congress regarding the bill targeting the technology company. This disclosure reflects the significant resources being allocated by ByteDance to safeguard TikTok’s operations in the U.S. Additionally, TikTok has invested over $400,000 since the beginning of the year in outside lobbying firms, signaling a comprehensive approach to advocacy in Washington.
Historical Spending Trends
The current lobbying expenditures by ByteDance and TikTok mark a notable increase from previous years. In 2023, ByteDance had spent over $1.8 million in the first quarter, which was considered a significant amount at that time. The collective lobbying efforts of ByteDance and TikTok amounted to over $8 million in 2023, underscoring the importance of advocacy and government relations for the companies.
The substantial investments made by TikTok and ByteDance in lobbying activities reflect their commitment to protecting the interests of the app and its user base in the United States. The ongoing legislative battles highlight the challenges faced by technology companies in navigating the regulatory landscape, especially in light of national security concerns and data privacy issues. As TikTok continues to engage with policymakers and stakeholders, its lobbying efforts will be closely watched to assess the impact on the future of the app in the U.S.
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