Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)

• The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is comprised of, and funded by, Big Tech companies including Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google.
• CCIA works to defend Big Tech companies from criticism:
  • CCIA created separate organizations to advocate for Big Tech through researchpapers and communications support. These include Springboard and the Disruptive Competition Project. As the House sought to pass antitrust legislation against Big Tech, these organizations argued that there is lots of competition in the tech sector and that the bills would make digital advertising less safe, force platforms to host Neo-Nazi speech, and help China.
  • CCIA criticized lawsuits by the DOJ and state attorneys general against Google, casting them as either partisan actions by Republicans or arguing that there was insufficient evidence.
  • CCIA has repeatedly criticized European regulators for attempting to hold Google accountable and for implementing privacy regulations. CCIA argued that the European Commission sought investigations against Google because of political motives.
  • CCIA reflexively defends Big Tech. CCIA said that breaking up Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp would harm consumers, and has funded pro-Google conferences. Their Twitter feed is filled with opinion pieces arguing against antitrust action against Big Tech.
  • CCIA argued that the House antitrust proposals were radical and would harm small businesses and national security. CCIA hired former DNI Dan Coats to argue in multiple publications that antitrust action against Big Tech would benefit China and harm national security.
• CCIA filed numerous Supreme Court amicus briefs in support of Apple, including in the Apple v. Pepper case.
• CCIA’s Policy Counsel is Amazon’s former Policy Counsel.
• CCIA maintains a federal PAC, which has primarily given to Democrats.
• From 1998 to 2021, CCIA spent $8,768,705 in federal lobbying expenditures.