While I’m on Amazon’s moves, CNBC covered the Connected Commerce Council, which pitches itself as a grassroots movement representing small business owners. It is actually a well-financed advocacy group funded by tech-heavy hitters Google and Amazon. Square had been listed but was removed as they are no longer an “active partner.”
And in a more significant twist, some small business owners listed on the website are not even members – nor have they even heard of the organization. More than 20 companies listed as members on the website told CNBC they had not even heard of the organization.
There’s even a term for this – an astroturf organization. . That’s a bit of Washington slang for a group that claims to represent grassroots entities but, in reality, serves as an advocate for big industry. It’s a tactic used in Washington to push for specific legislative or regulatory goals using the sympathetic face of mom and pop organizations.
I harp on watching what is going on in terms of regulation – how about watching out for large, well-funded companies impersonating you? If you’re a small business owner, I’d be pretty outraged. Oh, and I am a small business owner.
It’s one thing to observe that there are more lobbyists for Amazon than US Senators. To note, some of their money is being used to create false fronts… it may not be illegal, but it sure smells rotten.
If you can’t win with your own ideas, it’s ok to impersonate others….. apparently.