Apple taps former Biden aide to be top lobbyist

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encryption
Apple's lobbying efforts have doubled under Tim Cook.
Photo: orangesparrow/Flickr CC

As Apple continues to be embroiled in ongoing encryption drama, the company has hired a former NFL lobbyist and former aide to Vice President Joe Biden to head up its new Washington office.

Cynthia Hogan’s new role as vice president for public policy and government affairs for the Americas region will cover the U.S., as well as Canada and Latin America. She will report to Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives.

“Cynthia’s intellect and judgment have consistently distinguished her as a uniquely talented professional and we’re lucky to have her join the team at Apple,” Jackson said in a statement.

Hogan is set to start her job at Apple on April 29, after working for the NFL for a two-year period. During that time she was involved with issues such as growing concern over concussions and other head trauma.

She has also worked as a chief counsel for Joe Biden, during which she served on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Unlike Apple under Steve Jobs, Tim Cook has ramped up Apple’s lobbying efforts during his time as CEO. Through that period, the money it spends lobbying the White House, Congress, and other departments and agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission have doubled.

Late last year, Apple teamed with Amazon, Google, PayPal and Intuit to create a new financial services lobby called Financial Innovation Now — which it hopes to use to influence Washington policy makers regarding the regulation of digital financial technologies.

Source: Politico

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