ByteDance / TikTok
Chinese technology company and parent of TikTok. Deploys sophisticated AI for content recommendation, moderation, and advertising. Faces unique lobbying challenges due to national security concerns over Chinese ownership, the TikTok ban legislation, and cross-border data flow issues.
ByteDance / TikTok spent $1.4M on federal AI lobbying in Q1 2026, with $5.0M in total tracked spending. The company is active in 4 states and focuses on ai content recommendation and moderation, tiktok ban and national security concerns, cross-border data flows and data localization.
Federal Lobbying by Quarter
Public Position
Emphasizes transparency about AI algorithms and content moderation practices. Advocates against a TikTok ban, arguing it would violate First Amendment rights and harm small businesses. Supports data localization and has invested in Project Texas to store US user data domestically. Favors algorithm transparency over divestiture mandates.
Policy Focus Areas
Key Lobbyists
Bills Lobbied On
- 📋Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (TikTok ban)
- 📋RESTRICT Act (foreign technology threats)
- 📋H.R. 6580 (AI Transparency Act)
- 📋S. 3312 (Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act)
- 📋COPPA 2.0 (Children's Online Privacy Protection)
Notable Actions
- →Invested $1.5 billion in Project Texas to migrate US user data to Oracle-hosted infrastructure
- →Challenged TikTok ban legislation in federal court on First Amendment grounds
- →One of the highest lobbying spenders among tech companies relative to US revenue
- →Opened transparency center allowing US regulators to inspect recommendation algorithms