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Article snippet: Google is aiming to mend fences in Washington after a difficult year that saw its public image take a hit and new scrutiny from lawmakers. The company was embroiled in a number of controversies from Russia's use of its platforms to interfere in the 2016 election to its influence over think tanks and academic research. 2017 was a long year for the internet giant. In March, Google came under fire from advertisers who pulled millions of dollars worth of ads after it was learned that many of those were running alongside extremist content on YouTube. Google's public image took another hit when the company disclosed that YouTube and its advertising platforms were used by Russians to manipulate the 2016 elections. That disclosure angered lawmakers, who grilled executives from Google, as well as Facebook and Twitter, on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers scolded the companies, saying they should have done more to prevent Russian interference and questioning their claims that they were addressing the issue properly. “I must say, I don’t think you get it,” Sen. MORE (D-Calif.) told lawyers from Google, Facebook and Twitter during a Nov. 1 Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. “It is self-evident that in the past election you failed,” added Sen. MORE (D-Ore.). Google's strained relationship with Washington would have seemed unthinkable just a year ago. The company enjoyed a close relationship with White House officials under President MORE. Google employees frequently met with admin... Link to the full article to read more