Investigation Reveals Corporate Lobbying Network Behind Age Verification Legislation

Summary

This investigative report exposes a coordinated national lobbying operation focused on age verification legislation, involving corporate spending, think tank infrastructure, and dark money networks. Meta spent $26.3 million on federal lobbying in 2025, deployed 86+ lobbyists across 45 states, and covertly funded the Digital Childhood Alliance (DCA) to advocate for the App Store Accountability Act (ASAA). The Heritage Foundation funds three of six DCA coalition organizations and staffs the advocacy pipeline from Capitol Hill to state legislatures. The investigation reveals how corporate interests use model legislation and dark money networks to shape age verification policies across the U.S.