Facebook changes its status in Washington

As lawmakers and regulators ponder sweeping changes to online privacy law, Facebook is working to shape its image on Capitol Hill and avert measures potentially damaging to its information-sharing business.

The world's largest social-networking site is increasing its Washington office, spending more on lobbying and meeting with lawmakers, congressional staff and privacy experts who question whether the company is adequately protecting the personal information of its 500 million users. Founder Mark Zuckerberg is also on a charm offensive to show he's on the right side of the debate. Facebook recently hired its seventh Washington employee and plans to move into new, 8,000-square-foot office space in late April. It is also looking to hire a public policy expert. They're all signs that one of Silicon Valley's most influential companies wants to cultivate influence in Washington and shape privacy policies that could define its business. And it hopes to do so much earlier than tech predecessors Google and Microsoft did.