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In July 2015, AT&T purchased [[DirecTV]] for $48.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2015 |title=AT&T Completes Acquisition of DirecTV |url=http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_directv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129024321/http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_directv.html |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2015 |title=AT&T & DirecTV Merger Gets FCC Approval – With Conditions |url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/att-directv-merger-fcc-approval-1201484821/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725013408/http://deadline.com/2015/07/att-directv-merger-fcc-approval-1201484821/ |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2015 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2015 |title=FCC approves AT&T–DirecTV merger |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/24/8876267/att-directv-merger-approved |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724230531/http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/24/8876267/att-directv-merger-approved |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2015 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> AT&T then announced plans to converge its existing U-verse home internet and IPTV brands with [[DirecTV]], to create [[AT&T Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bode |first=Karl |date=December 2, 2015 |title=AT&T Plans on Killing the DirecTV Name Starting in January |url=http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Plans-on-Killing-the-DirecTV-Name-Starting-in-January-135765 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044449/http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Plans-on-Killing-the-DirecTV-Name-Starting-in-January-135765 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=December 2, 2015 |website=DSL Reports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrell |first=Mike |date=December 2, 2015 |title=AT&T Enters Next Phase in DirecTV Branding |url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/att-enters-next-phase-directv-branding/395664 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204094054/http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/att-enters-next-phase-directv-branding/395664 |archive-date=December 4, 2015 |access-date=December 3, 2015 |website=MultiChannel News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=April 26, 2016 |title=AT&T Sees DirecTV, Broadband Subscriber Gains in Q1 as U-verse Fades |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/att-directv-u-verse-earnings-1201761111/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427151417/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/att-directv-u-verse-earnings-1201761111/ |archive-date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2016 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
In July 2015, AT&T purchased [[DirecTV]] for $48.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2015 |title=AT&T Completes Acquisition of DirecTV |url=http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_directv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129024321/http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_directv.html |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2015 |title=AT&T & DirecTV Merger Gets FCC Approval – With Conditions |url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/att-directv-merger-fcc-approval-1201484821/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725013408/http://deadline.com/2015/07/att-directv-merger-fcc-approval-1201484821/ |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2015 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2015 |title=FCC approves AT&T–DirecTV merger |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/24/8876267/att-directv-merger-approved |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724230531/http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/24/8876267/att-directv-merger-approved |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2015 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> AT&T then announced plans to converge its existing U-verse home internet and IPTV brands with [[DirecTV]], to create [[AT&T Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bode |first=Karl |date=December 2, 2015 |title=AT&T Plans on Killing the DirecTV Name Starting in January |url=http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Plans-on-Killing-the-DirecTV-Name-Starting-in-January-135765 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044449/http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Plans-on-Killing-the-DirecTV-Name-Starting-in-January-135765 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=December 2, 2015 |website=DSL Reports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrell |first=Mike |date=December 2, 2015 |title=AT&T Enters Next Phase in DirecTV Branding |url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/att-enters-next-phase-directv-branding/395664 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204094054/http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/att-enters-next-phase-directv-branding/395664 |archive-date=December 4, 2015 |access-date=December 3, 2015 |website=MultiChannel News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=April 26, 2016 |title=AT&T Sees DirecTV, Broadband Subscriber Gains in Q1 as U-verse Fades |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/att-directv-u-verse-earnings-1201761111/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427151417/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/att-directv-u-verse-earnings-1201761111/ |archive-date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2016 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>


On October 22, 2016, AT&T announced a deal to buy [[Time Warner]] for $108.7 billion in an effort to increase its media holdings.<ref name="discucssesideaholdings">{{Cite news |last1=Hammond |first1=Ed |last2=Sherman |first2=Alex |last3=Moritz |first3=Scott |date=October 20, 2016 |title=AT&T Discussed Idea of Takeover in Time Warner Meetings |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021013535/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |archive-date=October 21, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |newspaper=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]}}</ref><ref name="asutotoincrease">{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Robert |date=October 20, 2016 |title=Report: AT&T considering buying Time Warner |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024233649/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref name="advancedtalksa">{{Cite web |last1=Hagey |first1=Keach |last2=Sharma |first2=Amol |last3=Cimilluca |first3=Dana |date=October 21, 2016 |title=AT&T Is in Advanced Talks to Acquire Time Warner |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-is-in-advanced-talks-to-acquire-time-warner-1477061850 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022013505/http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-is-in-advanced-talks-to-acquire-time-warner-1477061850 |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2016 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Roger |date=October 22, 2016 |title=AT&T agrees to buy Time Warner for more than $80B |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/22/reports-t-agrees-buy-time-warner-more-than-80b/92589816/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023013659/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/22/reports-t-agrees-buy-time-warner-more-than-80b/92589816/ |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gryta |first1=Thomas |last2=Hagey |first2=Keach |last3=Cimilluca |first3=Dana |date=October 22, 2016 |title=AT&T Reaches Deal to Buy Time Warner for $86 Billion |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-reaches-deal-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion-1477157084 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023013659/http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-reaches-deal-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion-1477157084 |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=October 22, 2016 |title=AT&T Sets $85.4 Billion Time Warner Deal, CEOs Talk 'Unique' Potential of Combination |url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/att-time-warner-deal-1201897938/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023204133/http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/att-time-warner-deal-1201897938/ |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=October 23, 2016 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> On November 20, 2017, Assistant Attorney General [[Makan Delrahim]] filed a lawsuit for the [[United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division]] to block the merger with Time Warner, saying it "will harm competition, result in higher bills for consumers and less innovation."<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2017 |title=Justice Department sues to block AT&T-Time Warner merger |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-justice-department-antitrust/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120225324/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-justice-department-antitrust/ |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |website=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fung |first=Brian |date=November 21, 2017 |title=The Justice Department is suing AT&T to block its $85 billion bid for Time Warner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/20/the-justice-department-just-sued-att-to-block-its-85-billion-bid-for-time-warner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121061809/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/20/the-justice-department-just-sued-att-to-block-its-85-billion-bid-for-time-warner/ |archive-date=November 21, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> On June 12, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge [[Richard J. Leon]] ruled that the merger could go forward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivanova |first=Irina |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Judge approves AT&T-Time Warner merger without conditions |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-approved-without-conditions-judge-rules-today-time-warner-stock-price-rises-in-after-hours-trading/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613041013/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-approved-without-conditions-judge-rules-today-time-warner-stock-price-rises-in-after-hours-trading/ |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |access-date=June 12, 2018 |website=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> The merger closed two days afterwards, with Time Warner becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T. A day later, the company was renamed WarnerMedia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2018 |title=AT&T Completes Acquisition of Time Warner Inc |url=http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_time_warner_inc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615011751/http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_time_warner_inc.html |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2018 |website=AT&T}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chmielewski |first=Dawn C. |date=June 14, 2018 |title=AT&T Completes $85B Acquisition Of Time Warner |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/att-completes-time-warner-acquisition-1202411103/ |access-date=August 14, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |language=en |archive-date=November 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119214347/https://deadline.com/2018/06/att-completes-time-warner-acquisition-1202411103/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On October 22, 2016, AT&T announced a deal to buy [[Time Warner]] for $108.7 billion in an effort to increase its media holdings.<ref name="discucssesideaholdings">{{Cite news |last1=Hammond |first1=Ed |last2=Sherman |first2=Alex |last3=Moritz |first3=Scott |date=October 20, 2016 |title=AT&T Discussed Idea of Takeover in Time Warner Meetings |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021013535/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |archive-date=October 21, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |newspaper=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]}}</ref><ref name="asutotoincrease">{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Robert |date=October 20, 2016 |title=Report: AT&T considering buying Time Warner |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024233649/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |website=USA Today}}</ref><ref name="advancedtalksa">{{Cite web |last1=Hagey |first1=Keach |last2=Sharma |first2=Amol |last3=Cimilluca |first3=Dana |date=October 21, 2016 |title=AT&T Is in Advanced Talks to Acquire Time Warner |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-is-in-advanced-talks-to-acquire-time-warner-1477061850 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022013505/http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-is-in-advanced-talks-to-acquire-time-warner-1477061850 |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2016 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Roger |date=October 22, 2016 |title=AT&T agrees to buy Time Warner for more than $80B |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/22/reports-t-agrees-buy-time-warner-more-than-80b/92589816/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023013659/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/22/reports-t-agrees-buy-time-warner-more-than-80b/92589816/ |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gryta |first1=Thomas |last2=Hagey |first2=Keach |last3=Cimilluca |first3=Dana |date=October 22, 2016 |title=AT&T Reaches Deal to Buy Time Warner for $86 Billion |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-reaches-deal-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion-1477157084 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023013659/http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-reaches-deal-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion-1477157084 |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=October 22, 2016 |title=AT&T Sets $85.4 Billion Time Warner Deal, CEOs Talk 'Unique' Potential of Combination |url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/att-time-warner-deal-1201897938/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023204133/http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/att-time-warner-deal-1201897938/ |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=October 23, 2016 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> On November 20, 2017, Assistant Attorney General [[Makan Delrahim]] filed a lawsuit for the [[United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division]] to block the merger with Time Warner, saying it "will harm competition, result in higher bills for consumers and less innovation."<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2017 |title=Justice Department sues to block AT&T-Time Warner merger |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-justice-department-antitrust/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120225324/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-justice-department-antitrust/ |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |website=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fung |first=Brian |date=November 21, 2017 |title=The Justice Department is suing AT&T to block its $85 billion bid for Time Warner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/20/the-justice-department-just-sued-att-to-block-its-85-billion-bid-for-time-warner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121061809/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/20/the-justice-department-just-sued-att-to-block-its-85-billion-bid-for-time-warner/ |archive-date=November 21, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> On June 12, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge [[Richard J. Leon]] ruled that the merger could go forward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivanova |first=Irina |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Judge approves AT&T-Time Warner merger without conditions |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-approved-without-conditions-judge-rules-today-time-warner-stock-price-rises-in-after-hours-trading/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613041013/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-approved-without-conditions-judge-rules-today-time-warner-stock-price-rises-in-after-hours-trading/ |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |access-date=June 12, 2018 |website=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> The merger closed two days afterwards, with Time Warner becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T. A day later, the company was renamed WarnerMedia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2018 |title=AT&T Completes Acquisition of Time Warner Inc |url=http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_time_warner_inc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615011751/http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_time_warner_inc.html |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2018 |website=AT&T}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chmielewski |first=Dawn C. |date=June 14, 2018 |title=AT&T Completes $85B Acquisition Of Time Warner |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/att-completes-time-warner-acquisition-1202411103/ |access-date=August 14, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |language=en |archive-date=November 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119214347/https://deadline.com/2018/06/att-completes-time-warner-acquisition-1202411103/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Three months after completing the acquisition, AT&T reorganized into four main units: Communications, including consumer and business wireline telephony, AT&T Mobility, and consumer entertainment video services; WarnerMedia, including Turner cable television networks, [[Warner Bros.]] film and television production, and [[HBO]]; AT&T Latin America, consisting of wireless service in Mexico and video in Latin America and the Caribbean under the [[Vrio Corp.|Vrio]] brand; and Advertising and Analytics, since renamed [[Xandr]].<ref name="otp.tools.investis.com">{{Cite web |title=SEC-Show |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000 |website=otp.tools.investis.com |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224022459/https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Betz |first=Brandy |date=September 21, 2018 |title=AT&T revises segment structure on Time Warner buy |url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3392053-t-revises-segment-structure-time-warner-buy |website=Seeking Alpha |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726125732/https://seekingalpha.com/news/3392053-t-revises-segment-structure-time-warner-buy |url-status=live }}</ref>
Three months after completing the acquisition, AT&T reorganized into four main units: Communications, including consumer and business wireline telephony, AT&T Mobility, and consumer entertainment video services; WarnerMedia, including Turner cable television networks, [[Warner Bros.]] film and television production, and [[HBO]]; AT&T Latin America, consisting of wireless service in Mexico and video in Latin America and the Caribbean under the [[Vrio Corp.|Vrio]] brand; and Advertising and Analytics, since renamed [[Xandr]].<ref name="otp.tools.investis.com">{{Cite web |title=SEC-Show |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000 |website=otp.tools.investis.com |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224022459/https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Betz |first=Brandy |date=September 21, 2018 |title=AT&T revises segment structure on Time Warner buy |url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3392053-t-revises-segment-structure-time-warner-buy |website=Seeking Alpha |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726125732/https://seekingalpha.com/news/3392053-t-revises-segment-structure-time-warner-buy |url-status=live }}</ref>
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== Political involvement ==
== Political involvement ==
{{Update section|date=June 2018}}
{{Update section|date=June 2018}}
According to [[OpenSecrets]], AT&T was the fourteenth-largest donor to United States federal political campaigns and committees from 1989 to 2019,<ref name="osorghh2011">{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=Top Organization Contributors |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php?cycle=ALL |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |location=United States |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230184031/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php?cycle=ALL |url-status=live }}</ref> having contributed more than {{US$|84.1 million}}, 42% of which went to [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 58% of which went to Democrats. In 2005, AT&T was among 53 entities that contributed the maximum of $250,000 to the second inauguration of President George W. Bush.<ref name="drinkard2005">{{Cite news |last=Drinkard |first=Jim |date=January 17, 2005 |title=Donors get good seats, great access this week |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inauguration-donors_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235354/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inauguration-donors_x.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref><ref name="usatoday25may2008">{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2005 |title=Financing the inauguration |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inaugural-donors_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235320/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inaugural-donors_x.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref><ref name="AP25may2005">{{Cite news |date=January 14, 2005 |title=Some question inaugural's multi-million price tag |work=[[USA Today]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-14-price_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235330/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-14-price_x.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> Bill Leahy, representing AT&T, sits on the Private Enterprise Board of the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Private Enterprise Board |website=American Legislative Exchange Council |url=http://www.alec.org/about-alec/private-enterprise-board/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511000739/http://www.alec.org/about-alec/private-enterprise-board/ |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |access-date=May 11, 2012}}</ref> ALEC is a [[nonprofit organization]] of [[conservatism in the United States|conservative]] [[state legislature (United States)|state legislators]] and [[private sector]] representatives that drafts and shares model state-level legislation for distribution among state governments in the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=May|first=Clifford |date=August 30, 1987 |title=Transportation Chief Attacks Congress on Safety |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/30/us/transportation-chief-attacks-congress-on-safety.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813143739/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/30/us/transportation-chief-attacks-congress-on-safety.html |archive-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name="fcir">{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=Howard |date=March 23, 2013 |title=NRA's Behind-the-Scenes Campaign Encouraged 'Stand Your Ground' Adoption |work=[[Florida Center for Investigative Reporting]] |url=http://fcir.org/2012/03/23/nras-behind-the-scenes-campaign-encouraged-stand-your-ground-adoption-across-the-country/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404154558/http://fcir.org/2012/03/23/nras-behind-the-scenes-campaign-encouraged-stand-your-ground-adoption-across-the-country/ |archive-date=April 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Griffin |first=Marshall |date=January 14, 2014 |title='Right-to-work' bill praised and blasted in House committee hearing |work=[[KBIA]] |url=http://kbia.org/post/right-work-bill-praised-and-blasted-house-committee-hearing |url-status=live |access-date=November 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311233732/http://kbia.org/post/right-work-bill-praised-and-blasted-house-committee-hearing |archive-date=March 11, 2016}}</ref>
According to [[OpenSecrets]], AT&T was the fourteenth-largest donor to United States federal political campaigns and committees from 1989 to 2019,<ref name="osorghh2011">{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=Top Organization Contributors |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php?cycle=ALL |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |location=United States |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230184031/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php?cycle=ALL |url-status=live }}</ref> having contributed more than {{US$|84.1 million}}, 42% of which went to [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 58% of which went to Democrats. In 2005, AT&T was among 53 entities that contributed the maximum of $250,000 to the second inauguration of President George W. Bush.<ref name="drinkard2005">{{Cite news |last=Drinkard |first=Jim |date=January 17, 2005 |title=Donors get good seats, great access this week |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inauguration-donors_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235354/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inauguration-donors_x.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref><ref name="usatoday25may2008">{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2005 |title=Financing the inauguration |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inaugural-donors_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235320/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inaugural-donors_x.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref><ref name="AP25may2005">{{Cite news |date=January 14, 2005 |title=Some question inaugural's multi-million price tag |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-14-price_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235330/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-14-price_x.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> Bill Leahy, representing AT&T, sits on the Private Enterprise Board of the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Private Enterprise Board |website=American Legislative Exchange Council |url=http://www.alec.org/about-alec/private-enterprise-board/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511000739/http://www.alec.org/about-alec/private-enterprise-board/ |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |access-date=May 11, 2012}}</ref> ALEC is a [[nonprofit organization]] of [[conservatism in the United States|conservative]] [[state legislature (United States)|state legislators]] and [[private sector]] representatives that drafts and shares model state-level legislation for distribution among state governments in the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=May|first=Clifford |date=August 30, 1987 |title=Transportation Chief Attacks Congress on Safety |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/30/us/transportation-chief-attacks-congress-on-safety.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813143739/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/30/us/transportation-chief-attacks-congress-on-safety.html |archive-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name="fcir">{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=Howard |date=March 23, 2013 |title=NRA's Behind-the-Scenes Campaign Encouraged 'Stand Your Ground' Adoption |work=[[Florida Center for Investigative Reporting]] |url=http://fcir.org/2012/03/23/nras-behind-the-scenes-campaign-encouraged-stand-your-ground-adoption-across-the-country/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404154558/http://fcir.org/2012/03/23/nras-behind-the-scenes-campaign-encouraged-stand-your-ground-adoption-across-the-country/ |archive-date=April 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Griffin |first=Marshall |date=January 14, 2014 |title='Right-to-work' bill praised and blasted in House committee hearing |work=[[KBIA]] |url=http://kbia.org/post/right-work-bill-praised-and-blasted-house-committee-hearing |url-status=live |access-date=November 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311233732/http://kbia.org/post/right-work-bill-praised-and-blasted-house-committee-hearing |archive-date=March 11, 2016}}</ref>


During the period of 1998 to 2019, the company expended {{US$|380.1 million}} on [[lobbying]] in the United States.<ref name="osorgatt2019">{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=AT&T Inc: Summary |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000076&cycle=A |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |location=United States |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110135351/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?cycle=A&id=D000000076 |url-status=live }}</ref> A key political issue for AT&T has been the question of which businesses win the right to profit by providing broadband internet access in the United States.<ref name="osorgatt2007">{{Cite web |title=AT&T Inc |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.asp?ID=D000000076&Name=AT%26T+Inc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035728/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.asp?ID=D000000076&Name=AT&T+Inc |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=September 29, 2007 |website=[[OpenSecrets]]}}</ref> The company has also lobbied in support of several federal bills. AT&T supported the [[Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 3675; 113th Congress)]], a bill that would make a number of changes to procedures that the [[U.S. Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) follows in its rulemaking processes.<ref name="3675cbo">{{Cite web |title=H.R. 3675 - CBO |date=January 29, 2014 |url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45057 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212828/http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45057 |archive-date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=March 10, 2014 |website=Congressional Budget Office}}</ref> The FCC would have to act in a more transparent way as a result of this bill, forced to accept public input about regulations.<ref name="PeteVotesTransparency">{{Cite news |last=Kasperowicz |first=Pete |date=March 11, 2014 |title=House votes for more transparency at the FCC |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200503-house-votes-for-more-transparency-at-the-fcc/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312074500/http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200503-house-votes-for-more-transparency-at-the-fcc |archive-date=March 12, 2014}}</ref> AT&T's Executive Vice President of Federal Relations, Tim McKone, said that the bill's "much needed institutional reforms will help arm the agency with the tools to keep pace with the Internet speed of today's marketplace. It will also ensure that outmoded regulatory practices for today's competitive marketplace are properly placed in the dustbin of history."<ref name="ATTblog">{{Cite web |last=McKone |first=Tim |date=December 11, 2013 |title=AT&T Statement on Bipartisan Spectrum and FCC Reform Legislation |url=http://www.attpublicpolicy.com/fcc/att-statement-on-bipartisan-spectrum-and-fcc-reform-legislation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312225128/http://www.attpublicpolicy.com/fcc/att-statement-on-bipartisan-spectrum-and-fcc-reform-legislation/ |archive-date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |website=AT&T Public Policy Blog}}</ref>
During the period of 1998 to 2019, the company expended {{US$|380.1 million}} on [[lobbying]] in the United States.<ref name="osorgatt2019">{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=AT&T Inc: Summary |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000076&cycle=A |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |location=United States |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110135351/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?cycle=A&id=D000000076 |url-status=live }}</ref> A key political issue for AT&T has been the question of which businesses win the right to profit by providing broadband internet access in the United States.<ref name="osorgatt2007">{{Cite web |title=AT&T Inc |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.asp?ID=D000000076&Name=AT%26T+Inc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035728/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.asp?ID=D000000076&Name=AT&T+Inc |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=September 29, 2007 |website=[[OpenSecrets]]}}</ref> The company has also lobbied in support of several federal bills. AT&T supported the [[Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 3675; 113th Congress)]], a bill that would make a number of changes to procedures that the [[U.S. Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) follows in its rulemaking processes.<ref name="3675cbo">{{Cite web |title=H.R. 3675 - CBO |date=January 29, 2014 |url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45057 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212828/http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45057 |archive-date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=March 10, 2014 |website=Congressional Budget Office}}</ref> The FCC would have to act in a more transparent way as a result of this bill, forced to accept public input about regulations.<ref name="PeteVotesTransparency">{{Cite news |last=Kasperowicz |first=Pete |date=March 11, 2014 |title=House votes for more transparency at the FCC |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200503-house-votes-for-more-transparency-at-the-fcc/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312074500/http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200503-house-votes-for-more-transparency-at-the-fcc |archive-date=March 12, 2014}}</ref> AT&T's Executive Vice President of Federal Relations, Tim McKone, said that the bill's "much needed institutional reforms will help arm the agency with the tools to keep pace with the Internet speed of today's marketplace. It will also ensure that outmoded regulatory practices for today's competitive marketplace are properly placed in the dustbin of history."<ref name="ATTblog">{{Cite web |last=McKone |first=Tim |date=December 11, 2013 |title=AT&T Statement on Bipartisan Spectrum and FCC Reform Legislation |url=http://www.attpublicpolicy.com/fcc/att-statement-on-bipartisan-spectrum-and-fcc-reform-legislation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312225128/http://www.attpublicpolicy.com/fcc/att-statement-on-bipartisan-spectrum-and-fcc-reform-legislation/ |archive-date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |website=AT&T Public Policy Blog}}</ref>
Line 307: Line 307:
In July 2006, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California – in which the suit was filed – rejected a federal government motion to dismiss the case. The motion to dismiss, which invoked the State Secrets Privilege, had argued that any court review of the alleged partnership between the federal government and AT&T would harm national security. The case was immediately appealed to the Ninth Circuit. It was dismissed on June 3, 2009, citing retroactive legislation in the [[FISA Amendments Act|Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.eff.org/cases/hepting |title= Hepting v. AT&T |date= July 2011 |website= [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] |access-date= March 23, 2021 |quote= In June of 2009, a federal judge dismissed Hepting and dozens of other lawsuits against telecoms. EFF appealed that decision but it was affirmed, and in October, 2012, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. |archive-date= January 22, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180122170130/https://www.eff.org/cases/hepting |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Arshad|last=Mohammed|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072001792.html|title=Judge Declines to Dismiss Lawsuit Against AT&T|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214074204/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072001792.html |archive-date=December 14, 2017|date=July 21, 2006|access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref>
In July 2006, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California – in which the suit was filed – rejected a federal government motion to dismiss the case. The motion to dismiss, which invoked the State Secrets Privilege, had argued that any court review of the alleged partnership between the federal government and AT&T would harm national security. The case was immediately appealed to the Ninth Circuit. It was dismissed on June 3, 2009, citing retroactive legislation in the [[FISA Amendments Act|Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.eff.org/cases/hepting |title= Hepting v. AT&T |date= July 2011 |website= [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] |access-date= March 23, 2021 |quote= In June of 2009, a federal judge dismissed Hepting and dozens of other lawsuits against telecoms. EFF appealed that decision but it was affirmed, and in October, 2012, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. |archive-date= January 22, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180122170130/https://www.eff.org/cases/hepting |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Arshad|last=Mohammed|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072001792.html|title=Judge Declines to Dismiss Lawsuit Against AT&T|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214074204/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072001792.html |archive-date=December 14, 2017|date=July 21, 2006|access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref>


In May 2006, ''[[USA Today]]'' reported that all international and domestic calling records had been handed over to the National Security Agency by AT&T, Verizon, SBC, and BellSouth for the purpose of creating a massive [[NSA call database|calling database]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cauley |first=Leslie |date=May 11, 2006 |title=NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223235913/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm |archive-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> The portions of the ''new'' AT&T that had been part of SBC Communications before November 18, 2005, were not mentioned.
In May 2006, ''USA Today'' reported that all international and domestic calling records had been handed over to the National Security Agency by AT&T, Verizon, SBC, and BellSouth for the purpose of creating a massive [[NSA call database|calling database]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cauley |first=Leslie |date=May 11, 2006 |title=NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223235913/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm |archive-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> The portions of the ''new'' AT&T that had been part of SBC Communications before November 18, 2005, were not mentioned.


On June 21, 2006, the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' reported that AT&T had rewritten rules on its privacy policy. The policy, which took effect June 23, 2006, says that "AT&T – not customers – owns customers' confidential info and can use it 'to protect its legitimate business interests, safeguard others, or respond to legal process.'"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lazarus |first=David |date=June 21, 2006 |title=AT&T Rewrites Rules: Your Data Isn't Yours |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/21/BUG9VJHB9C1.DTL&hw=at&sn=002&sc=870 |url-status=live |access-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112225858/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F06%2F21%2FBUG9VJHB9C1.DTL&hw=at&sn=002&sc=870 |archive-date=November 12, 2007}}</ref>
On June 21, 2006, the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' reported that AT&T had rewritten rules on its privacy policy. The policy, which took effect June 23, 2006, says that "AT&T – not customers – owns customers' confidential info and can use it 'to protect its legitimate business interests, safeguard others, or respond to legal process.'"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lazarus |first=David |date=June 21, 2006 |title=AT&T Rewrites Rules: Your Data Isn't Yours |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/21/BUG9VJHB9C1.DTL&hw=at&sn=002&sc=870 |url-status=live |access-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112225858/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F06%2F21%2FBUG9VJHB9C1.DTL&hw=at&sn=002&sc=870 |archive-date=November 12, 2007}}</ref>
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