Where guidelines exist, they often lack comprehensive coverage across all government branches and levels of government. Frequently, information regarding the identities of lobbying and influence actors, on whose behalf of they are conducting their activities, the decisions they engage on, and the ways in which they impact government decisions is either incomplete or inadequately scrutinised.  And while rules addressing conflicts of interest practices are generally present, there is a need for more specific integrity standards for the interactions between policymakers and lobbyists, including on the “revolving door” and when lobbyists engage in advisory and expert groups.  

The influence landscape has shifted from handshakes to hashtags due to the transformative impact of technology and digitalisation, with the rise of information campaigns on social media to shape policy debates and persuade the public to pressure policymakers and indirectly influence government decision-making processes. While digitalisation has made it cost-effective to organise grassroots lobbying campaigns and allows a larger number of citizens to have their voices heard, it also facilitates the dissemination of deceptive information and the manipulation of public opinion by interest groups. There is a need for more transparency in the use of social media and broader public communication strategies in lobbying and influence efforts. 

Foreign influence and lobbying activities are not by definition illegitimate, but can have a transformative impact on the political life of a country, including its domestic and foreign policy, economic interests, and election system, as well as its ability to protect its national security. Foreign influence activities can also be covert or deceptive, giving way to foreign interference, and the challenges increase when foreign commercial and government interests are intertwined.   

Strengthening the transparency and integrity of foreign influence activities is therefore essential: transparency measures, such as foreign lobbying registries, help public officials and citizens know whose foreign interests are being promoted. Likewise, integrity measures, such as conflict-of-interest policies, help mitigate revolving door risks between public organisations and foreign entities.