Facebook Builds Washington Lobbying Team

Washington, Facebook is coming, like it or not, and it's coming in a big way. A report from Businessweek says that Facebook is building a powerful Washington lobbying team, to help it deal with Washington's growing interest in privacy and Internet related issues. Facebook is expanding its six-person Washington office by spending more on lobbying and meeting with lawmakers, staff, and and privacy experts. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently been on the offensive when it comes to privacy concerns about Facebook. "Privacy and making sure people have control over their information is, I think, one of the most fundamental things on the Internet," Zuckerberg said in a 60 Minutes interview earlier in the month. Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Commerce Dept. are considering additional—and clearer—privacy safeguards on Internet companies that amass user data, which could affect Facebook, Microsoft MSFT, Apple AAPL Google GOOG, and other internet companies severely.