If politics is all about people, the tech industry might be set for an excellent four years. Analysis by Protocol shows that Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and their teams have close and sprawling links to the industry, with almost all of the major tech companies represented in some capacity.
To better understand the incoming administration's ties to tech, Protocol mapped out those connections. The map reveals a complex web of relationships, with familial and professional ties overlapping to create a network of interests.
Some of the ties are simple: Apple is linked to the transition team through former VP Cynthia Hogan; Harris' brother-in-law is Uber's chief legal officer. But others are more complex: Harris' niece, Meena, used to work at Uber, Slack and Facebook, and Meena's husband is a current Facebook executive. Biden's son-in-law, meanwhile, is involved in a health-tech investment firm, and Airbnb staff are well-represented in the transition team. Oh, and Harris attended Sean Parker's wedding.
Protocol used certain criteria to make this map: To be included, people must be current or former employees of Biden or Harris (so people that only worked for former President Obama in the last Democratic administration are excluded), or must have well-known, close professional or personal links to one of the two. Potential Cabinet members and people on the transition's agency review teams are also included. Click on individual people and connections to see more detail on the links.
Do you know of other people that should be included on the map? Email shakeel@protocol.com and we'll add them.
Additional reporting by Emily Birnbaum, Anna Kramer, Issie Lapowsky and Biz Carson.