EU Lawmakers Launch Tips Hotline To Catch Big Tech's 'Shady' Lobbying (techcrunch.com) 6
An anonymous reader shares a report: 'Astroturfing' and other non-transparent lobbying tactics used to target digital policymakers in the European Union in recent years -- including during a blitz of spending aimed at influencing major new pan-EU rules like the Digital Services Act (DSA) -- have inspired a group of MEPs and NGOs to fight back by launching a hotline for reporting attempts at indirectly influencing the bloc's tech policy agenda. The new tips line, which was first reported by the Guardian, is being called LobbyLeaks.
The office of one of the MEPs co-leading the effort, Paul Tang of the S&D Group, said the idea is to gather data on underhand lobbying efforts that may be targeting the EU's digital policymaking -- such as the use of third party 'industry associations' or consultancies without clear disclosures, or even academics being quietly funded to author favorable research -- in order that they can be studied and called out. They also want to ensure EU lawmakers are better informed about the myriad ways tech giants may be seeking to influence them as they work on shaping the rules platform giants will have to play by.
The office of one of the MEPs co-leading the effort, Paul Tang of the S&D Group, said the idea is to gather data on underhand lobbying efforts that may be targeting the EU's digital policymaking -- such as the use of third party 'industry associations' or consultancies without clear disclosures, or even academics being quietly funded to author favorable research -- in order that they can be studied and called out. They also want to ensure EU lawmakers are better informed about the myriad ways tech giants may be seeking to influence them as they work on shaping the rules platform giants will have to play by.
And now for something completely different (Score:5, Informative)
Can anybody imagine such a hotline existing in the United States? Congressmen and Senators would no doubt treat it as a list of sources to be contacted for campaign contributions.
Re: (Score:2)
Can anybody imagine such a hotline existing in the United States? Congressmen and Senators would no doubt treat it as a list of sources to be contacted for campaign contributions.
A list of sources to be contacted for further in-depth investigation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
Re:And now for something completely different (Score:4, Insightful)
When the pendulum swings back on that -expletive- they'd better pray they're long dead or the consequences will probably not be pleasant. They keep turning the screws tighter, and tighter, to the working poor. That's not a viable long-term strategy if you want to maintain leadership. The rising violence of the police is not an accident, it's necessary as society becomes ever more frayed by inequality of outcome.
You want to "boost the birthrate" of America? You'd better start yesterday by raising wages, ensuring everyone has decent healthcare, and promoting plenty of vacation time. Not only that, but that pay should be good enough that Mom and Dad get to pick who works and who stays home with the kids. Oh and you'd better make sure those schools are good, and safe.
Don't try that here (Score:2)
In the USA, shady lobbying is built into our system, it's not even "shady" anymore. The SCOTUS (top court) practically made bribing politicians legal. Lobbying and bribing is "free speech" to the Court; giving corporations mostly the same rights as people via twisted biased "logic". I've seen very little evidence the founding fathers would agree with the new view.
The same EU that helped the USA... (Score:2)