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Google Employs D.C. Lobbyist

Leading online search engine, Google, looking to influence the nation`s laws governing the Internet, telecommunications and copyrights, has asked a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. to work for the web giant. The company wants to be involved in policymaking so that they can provide the best service for their clients.

Google recently announced its decision with a posting on its blog. `It seems that policymaking and regulatory activity in Washington, D.C. affect Google and our users more every day,` says Andrew McLaughlin, the company`s senior policy counsel. `It`s important to be involved to participate in the policy process and contribute to the debates that inform it. So we`ve opened up a shop there.`

According to the Associated Press, Alan Davidson will coordinate the initial lobbying for Google. He is a former computer scientist who has been an associate director at the Center for Democracy and Technology, an organization devoted to safeguard civil liberties and human rights on the Internet. McLaughlin also says Google will focus specifically on telecommunications and copyright laws.