A new internet lobbying group, led by Amazon, Facebook, Google and Yahoo is to be launched this week to address internet federal regulations.

The lobbying group, The Internet Association, seeks to represent the internet sector to ensure that it has a voice in Washington and an influence on future decision making.

Michael Beckerman, President and CEO of TIA says: "A free and innovative Internet is vital to our nation’s economic growth. These companies are all fierce competitors in the market place, but they recognize the Internet needs a unified voice in Washington. They understand the future of the Internet is at stake and that we must work together to protect it.”

In the background to the lead up of this announcement, Reuters reports that Google spent $3.9m on online privacy and immigration legislation this year, with Facebook and Amazon spending $960,000 and $690,000 respectively.

The Internet Association, the first of its kind in the industry, has three main aims: protecting internet freedom, fostering innovation and economic growth, and empowering users. The lobbying group plans to stress to Washington that the internet is not only the fastest growing sector of the U.S. economy, but that it represents the best hope of returning to economic prosperity.