Government too close to Google?

More evidence that the search giant wields too much influence over law makers

Google's relationship with the government has been questioned following a Freedom of Information Act request that revealed that the firm met with senior politicians over 20 times last year.

This was revealed in a report in the Telegraph, which indicated that the search giant's chairman Eric Schmidt advises the government on business issues.

The organisation has much to gain by aligning itself closely with governments but the situation will enrage smaller companies that complain of a too cosy relationship between government and powerful technology companies.

The search giant is not shy in cultivating contacts among legislators as a way of pursuing its commercial interests. For example, Google recently sought input into the government's review of intellectual property law.

Carsten Casper, research director at analyst firm Gartner, said that firms can influence legislation, and its interpretation, if they are close to legislators.

"Legislation tries to be technology agnostic. It has to last for a number of years and technology changes very quickly. This means legislation is often very abstract, vague and generic.

"It needs a lot of interpretation, case law and guidance, and this can come to some extent from industry. Industry wants to be make sure the law is interpreted more precisely, and that the generic rules of the law are understood by industry and the public sector in the same way."