Big Tech's Hidden Influence in Brazil: 75 Lobbyists Shaping Politics
A groundbreaking investigation, 'The Invisible Hand of Big Tech', has revealed the extent of influence major tech companies wield over Brazilian politics. Led by Agência Pública and the Centro Latinoamericano de Investigación Periodística (CLIP), the project uncovered a network of 75 government relations professionals hired by 15 tech giants to engage with the country's Executive and Legislative branches.
The investigation, involving 15 organizations from 13 countries, found that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has the largest contingent of these professionals in Brazil, with at least 19 employees. Notably, half of these professionals were hired between 2021 and 2023, coinciding with intense lobbying efforts to shape regulations like the Fake News Bill.
During this period, Meta and Google were exceptionally aggressive in their campaigns against the Fake News Bill. Rafael Zanatta, a researcher involved in the project, noted the professionalization of lobbying in the tech sector since discussions about the General Data Protection Law began in 2015. The data was obtained through extensive LinkedIn searches using a method known as 'snowball sampling'.
The investigation also highlighted the 'revolving door' phenomenon, where two out of every three professionals have worked in government entities. This suggests a well-established system by big technology companies to block regulations contrary to their interests in Congress over the past decade.
The 'Invisible Hand of Big Tech' investigation is the first of its kind in Brazil, shedding light on the scale of influence major tech companies exert over national politics through direct hires. As the tech sector continues to grow and evolve, understanding and regulating these influences will be crucial for maintaining a balanced political landscape.
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