Facebook Inc. (FB) Doubled U.S. Lobbying Expense in 2012

While Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) posted the biggest increases in lobbying spend among tech companies, many companies also increased their lobbying efforts – while some cut back. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), for example, stepped up its spending by more than 10 percent, to $8.1 million. The biggest cutback featured came from AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), which shaved nearly 14 percent from its lobbying efforts, to  about $17.5 million, while Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) cut back 13 percent to just shy of $2 million.

Does it surprise you that Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) had the biggest increases in their lobbying expense? We’d like your thoughts and comments below.

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.

Please see these related FB articles:

Is Facebook Expensive, or Worth It?

Facebook Finally Admits It Can’t Stop Youth Profiles

Will Graph Search Help Facebook Kill Google Plus?