About Us – Facebook Political Engagement (US)
Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. As we work to achieve this goal, we expect all Facebook Personnel (as defined in the Facebook Code of Conduct), to follow our Code of Conduct and Political Activities and Lobbying Policy and to always act lawfully, honestly, and ethically.
Compliance and Reporting
Public policy decisions can have significant implications for the people that use our services and the future direction of our company. Facebook regularly engages with government officials to discuss policy issues important to the company as well as share information about our products and services. In doing so, we maintain compliance with all relevant laws and guidelines. All Facebook Personnel, including external consultants, who engage with government officials to discuss policy issues on our behalf receive training on the ethical standards required in all such interactions.
Facebook’s Vice President of Public Policy oversees all corporate political activity (including lobbying activities and political contributions) and is aided, in some instances, by a cross-functional team that includes representatives from Facebook’s Public Policy, Communications, and Legal departments. Pursuant to Facebook’s Political Activities and Lobbying policy, Facebook tracks and reports on its lobbying activities in all jurisdictions where such disclosures are required, and complies with the applicable codes of ethics pertinent to registered lobbying entities. Facebook also respects all guidelines and requirements regarding the hiring of former government officials, including limits on their ability to conduct certain activities during required cooling-off periods. Expenditures made for political activities are subject to the same expenditure approval matrix applicable to all Facebook expenditures.
Purpose
The activities described below are intended to ensure Facebook maintains a voice in public policy discussions that impact our business, our employees and the people that use our products and services.
Facebook’s Policies For Assessing Candidates and Making Political Contributions
Where legally permitted to do so, either by administering Facebook’s federally-registered PAC or through direct corporate contributions, we support the campaigns of candidates for public office in the United States whose have certain policy stances that are consistent with Facebook’s public policy views and business interests.
Under US campaign finance law, Facebook (like all corporations) is prohibited from donating to federal political candidates. Since many Facebook employees wish to support federal candidates who share their goal of building community and bringing the world closer together, we formed Facebook, Inc. PAC (FBPAC) in 2011. FBPAC is regulated under the Federal Election Commission and its activity, which is reported quarterly, may be found here.
In deciding which federal candidates to support, Facebook PAC considers factors such as:
•A candidate’s general alignment with Facebook’s public policy views and business interests;
•The extent of Facebook’s presence in a given state or Congressional district;
•Whether a candidate could work on policy issues relevant to Facebook;
•Political balance; and
•The interests of our employees, shareholders and other stakeholders.
Where permitted by law, Facebook may contribute to candidates for state office, with the goal of supporting public policies that give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. Our Vice President of US Public Policy oversees these contributions with the assistance of a cross-functional team that includes representatives from Facebook’s Public Policy, Communications, and Legal departments. State political activity is conducted in compliance with applicable disclosure laws, including the timely filing of required reports.
Apart from these political contributions, Facebook does not make any independent expenditures in support of or opposition to any candidate for office.
The personal political preferences of Facebook executives, directors, and employees do not influence either FBPAC’s or the Company’s political contributions. Additionally, a contribution to a candidate for office does not mean that we agree with every policy or position that candidate may espouse.
No campaign contribution will be made with the expectation that Facebook will receive something in return.
Facebook PAC Contributions (Federal)
You can view a detailed report of Facebook’s PAC contributions to federal candidates by clicking the link below. This report, which will be updated annually, includes contributions made over the last five years, since 2013.
Memberships, Independent Organizations, and Event Support
Facebook belongs to various trade groups and organizations representing diverse views and communities. Our team also works with independent third-party organizations on issues relating to technology and internet policy and we sometimes support their events that highlight internet and social media issues. We seek to participate in conversations about the issues that directly affect our company and the experience of the people who use our service. We chose these organizations because they are engaged in meaningful dialogue about either the internet or the local communities in which we operate. While we actively participate in these discussions and believe collaborative problem solving is the best way to address a problem and have the greatest impact, we do not always agree with every policy or position that individual organizations or their leadership take. Therefore, our membership, work with organizations, or event support should not be viewed as an endorsement of any particular organization or policy.
While the groups we work with will continue to evolve, below please find a representative list of the ones we have worked with last year. When possible, we link to the organization’s website, so that you may find out more about them.
Political Activity by Facebook Employees
Facebook encourages informed participation in the political process. Facebook employees may participate in personal political activities, on their own time, with their own funds and in accordance with their own political preferences and desires. Employees must keep such activity separate from work and never represent that such activities are being conducted on behalf of Facebook. Pursuant to Facebook’s Political Activities & Lobbying Policy, no personal political contribution or expenditure may be, or will be, coerced by Facebook or its executives.
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