We love exploring the world of technology. We all like to give nicknames to the things that we know and the things that we follow passionately. Just like the Big 3 or Big 4 in tennis, depending on who you ask, there is also Big Tech, also known as the Big Four or the Big Five or simply, Tech Giants.
These would be the world’s largest tech companies, at least in the West, namely Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft. Why is this term important and what does it mean for us? Let us take a closer look.
The Big Leagues – Companies With Influence
Primarily, the four large companies, Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple were called the Four Horsemen (of the Apocalypse) and were thought to be the companies who had the most influence on our society as a whole.
This is completely true, but more recently, people have started including Microsoft in the picture, as it is the go-to operating system for PCs, especially if one likes to do any gaming or wants to use products which are primarily supported through Windows drivers.
In short, GAFAM or GAMAM, since Facebook rebranded into Meta, are the companies which have had a lot of influence on our society, which still have a lot of influence.
Is That Important?
Looking at all the parodies and all the satire which shows the world being completely controlled by corporations, one can deduce that most people perceive large companies, particularly influential ones, as predatory and everything but consumer friendly. It is common knowledge nowadays that a lot of people dislike large corporations and know that they are not our friends.
Yet, we support them on a daily basis by purchasing their products or services, making them a solid profit while also critiquing them online.
In some parts of the world, big companies will have little to no sway, mostly because some parts of the world tend to take care of themselves, like Europe making USB-C obligatory on all portable electronic consumer devices by 2024, including Apple who loves their quirky and closed-source ports and interfaces.
What About the Future?
Many have criticized Big Tech for their anti-competitive and rather predatory ways that they used to get to the top. Many people have criticized the large companies for their active censorship which is always in favor of those in power, typically governments, particularly when there are protests and events which challenge the current ruling party.
Big Tech is most likely going to present a problem in the future, unless they are directed to change their behavior.
Big Tech represents the giants in the tech industry, namely Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft. They are influential companies which have had a lot of sway recently.