High and mighty: Google's view

Google confirmed on Monday that it has filed paperwork to set up a political action committee (PAC).

With Google NetPAC, the search giant joins fellow tech heavyweights in an attempt to influence Beltway politics via contributions to political candidates and causes, reports CNET. Google has been at the forefront of the net neutrality debate in the context of a Senate communications bill. Google and other internet companies maintain that net neutrality is vital for keeping the internet a consumer-friendly, user-driven environment; other tech giants - cable and telecom firms - tend to oppose net neutrality provisions.

Many major corporations - including Microsoft, Intel and Oracle - already resort to PAC donations as part of their political strategy. IBM and Apple have not formed PACs.