Facebook enlisted the services of Richard Allan, previously head of European regulatory affairs for Cisco Systems, to spearhead its lobbying efforts with European Union governments, paidContent:UK reported.

The social-networking site had already hired former American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Timothy Sparapani as a second lobbyist in Washington, D.C., according to paidContent:UK.

Facebook chief privacy officer Chris Kelly told paidContent:UK the company has been in discussions with various EU government officials, adding, "There is a concern we've had for some time that in a well-meaning attempt to protect consumers, legislators or regulators would end up passing laws that would keep people from the beneficial sharing of information."