American Edge is a U.S. political advocacy group that lobbies for the technology industry. It has been characterized as a front organization and a dark money group.

Its primary activities include advertising and paid Op-Ed campaigns, both of which have been called misleading.

History and mission

The group was formed in December 2019 by Facebook and other technology organizations to promote the interests of the technology interest through advertising and lobbying; according to The Washington Post its purpose is "to convince policymakers that Silicon Valley is essential to the U.S. economy and the future of free speech".[1] It funds advertising campaigns and academic research.[1][2]

The organization was formed during a period of increased scrutiny of technology giants by U.S. lawmakers of technology giants amid concerns over antitrust, privacy, security, and content moderation issues.[1] According to the Washington Post the intent was to "create the appearance of opposition by grass-roots groups to antitrust regulation".[3] According to the Benton Foundation it is to "to burnish the image of US tech companies as they face intensifying regulatory scrutiny".[4]

In June 2020, ten advocacy groups, including Center for Humane Technology, End Citizens United, Let America Vote, MapLight, Public Citizen, and the National Association of Social Workers called on Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, to shut the organization down.[5] The organization has been characterized as a front group[5][6][7][8] and a dark money group.[9][4]

Organizational structure and affiliations

The organization was incorporated as a non-profit in Virginia and in April 2020 registered a connected foundation.[1] The Washington Post said the organizational structure "allows it to navigate a thicket of tax laws in such a way that it can raise money, and blitz the airwaves with ads, without the obligation of disclosing all of its donors."[1]

The group is part of a "supportive coalition" that includes Bear Hill Advisors, the Center for Individual Freedom, NetChoice, the Connected Commerce Council, the National Black Chamber of Commerce and the National Small Business Association.[2][9]

Funding

Facebook was a major donor early on, donating $4 million between late 2019 and early 2020 and another $34 million between late 2020 and early 2021.[2] According to technology industry watchdog group Tech Transparency Project, Facebook was possibly the group's "sole funder".[2]

Spending and impact

The group launched advertising campaigns addressing antitrust in the technology industry in 2020, continuing into 2021.[2] It spent $5 million on advertising in 2020 and $10 million in 2021.[2] According to CNBC, the House and Senate were at the time of the ad campaigns considering antitrust, data privacy, and other reform measures which would affect online technology platforms, almost none of which ultimately made it to a vote in either legislative body.[2] According to the Wall Street Journal, spending by groups supporting the legislation over the same period was under $200,000.[10]

Brookings Institution characterized the ads as "misleading" and "emotional but fact-free", describing one ad featuring a small business owner saying, “I don’t understand why some in Congress want to take away the technology we use every day".[11] Governing magazine called the ads "among the most cynical" of those created at the time by various tech-industry lobbying groups.[12]

The group also paid for the placement of Op-Ed columns in local newspapers throughout the country signed by representatives of local business groups; according to the Washington Post the objective was to create the impression of a grass-roots reaction to the proposed legislation.[3]

Notable people

Multiple former politicians and government employees have joined the organization as advisors or board members.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Romm, Tony (May 12, 2020). "Facebook is quietly helping to set up a new pro-tech advocacy group to battle Washington". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Feiner, Brian; Schwartz, Lauren (May 1, 2023). "Facebook was the main donor to a group that fought antitrust reforms in 2020 and 2021". CNBC. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Zakrzewski, Cat; Dwoskin, Elizabeth (May 17, 2022). "Facebook quietly bankrolled small, grass-roots groups to fight its battles in Washington". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Din, Benjamin (May 21, 2021). "Heavyweights Join Facebook-backed, Pro-Tech Group, the American Edge Project". Benton Foundation. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Groups to Facebook: Shut Down 'American Edge'". Public Citizen. June 11, 2020. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Sullivan, Mark (June 16, 2022). "How John Oliver helped take the issue of tech antitrust into the mainstream". Fast Company. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  7. ^ Germanos, Andrea (May 17, 2020). "Amid growing antitrust concerns, Facebook goes "faceless" in DC with new lobby group". Salon. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  8. ^ "Sen. Chuck Schumer Can Pass Landmark Antitrust Bills Right Now. Why Isn't He?". HuffPost. December 15, 2022. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d Din, Benjamin (May 21, 2021). "Facebook-backed group adds former lawmakers". Politico. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  10. ^ McKinnon, John D.; Tracy, Ryan; Day, Chad (June 9, 2022). "Big Tech Has Spent $36 Million on Ads to Torpedo Antitrust Bill". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "History repeats itself with Big Tech's misleading advertising". Brookings Institution. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  12. ^ Miller, Gerard (September 13, 2022). "How Deceptive Lobbyists Are Exploiting the Goodwill of Public Employees". Governing. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  13. ^ "ECONOMIC". American Edge Project. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d "NATIONAL SECURITY". American Edge Project. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  15. ^ "OPEN & ACCESSIBLE INTERNET". American Edge Project. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
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