Google spent $3.4-3.9 million and Microsoft spent about the same "lobbying politicians" to get the EU to change its mind. Unfortunately, unlike the US where politicians have to do what they are told by big corporates, the US tech companies have mostly wasted their cash.

China's tech leader Huawei reported spending of 3.0 million euros in 2014. That was the same as it had previously reported as spending in its 2012 fiscal year. It didn't have much luck either.

To make matters worse, what they spend trying to influence EU politicians has to be declared so that people like us can point it out and write stories about it.

A second element of transparency introduced under European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker since he took office in November is a register of contacts by commissioners and senior staff with companies, lobby groups and their representatives.

Transparency International research found U.S. firms Google, Microsoft and General Electric, as well as European planemaker Airbus, were among the most active in visiting top EU officials since such meetings first had to made public in December.