On March 2, 2026, the United States Congress passed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA), led by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Ro Khanna. The act introduced significant measures aimed at increasing transparency among major technology companies by mandating the disclosure of data privacy practices and algorithmic decision-making processes.

However, not all proposed measures saw success. On January 25, 2026, the Edit for Fairness Act, aimed at prohibiting anti-competitive practices by tech giants like Meta Platforms, Inc. and Google LLC, failed to reach a vote in the Senate. Its defeat was attributed to a powerful lobbying effort by the Internet Association, which reported lobbying expenditures exceeding $15 million in the months leading up to the vote, specifically targeting key senators in swing states.

In tandem with the DATA passage, the Tech Transparency Coalition emerged as a beneficiary. Funded by tech industry players, this coalition received almost $3 million from Alphabet Inc. in January 2026 to streamline compliance solutions for tech firms in response to new regulations. This funding highlights how industry-led initiatives can often turn regulatory compliance into a profit-making venture.

The revolving door is evident: Mark Sullivan, former Chief of Staff at the Federal Communications Commission, left his position on February 15, 2026, to join Palantir Technologies. Subsequently, on April 10, 2026, Palantir signed a $25 million contract with the Department of Defense to provide data analytic services, illustrating the quick transition from regulation to profit.

Furthermore, the lobbying disclosures revealed that since 2024, there has been a marked increase in funding towards the Center for American Progress, with total contributions exceeding $5 million from tech giants such as Amazon. This think tank played a crucial role in shaping the narrative around tech accountability in the lead-up to the DATA passage.

This is the third time since 2021 that Congress has sought to regulate Big Tech, but often these measures fall short, as seen with the failure of the Edit for Fairness Act. Behind every legislative move is a complex web of interests that benefit amid efforts intended for public good.

In terms of human actors, Jennifer McCloskey, a lobbyist for Meta, played a major role in rallying opposition against major reforms, while the Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, supported the DATA act's passage without addressing the exclusion of key provisions aimed at curbing monopolistic practices.

The Susurluk principle is clear: Congress members with ties to technology led the regulatory efforts—but also benefitted from a network of financial support from the technology industry. This environment fosters a cycle where regulatory outcomes often favor those who were intended to be regulated.

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