What Even Is Big Tech?

Platforms like YouTube and Instagram are free to use—so how do the companies behind them make money? Has AI really gotten better at not making things up, as we've been told? And just how far does my personal data travel across borders?
Many young people use various online platforms and services every day, yet know surprisingly little about how they actually work. Behind these services are the massive technology corporations known as "Big Tech," whose presence most users barely notice. But understanding these companies is the key to truly understanding—and wisely using—the online services that have become so deeply embedded in our daily lives.
Hankyoreh journalist Jiseon Lim has written What Even Is Big Tech?, a thorough guide for young readers on the ins and outs of major global tech giants like Google and Meta. In this book, she analyzes exactly what these corporations do, how they generate profits, and what impact they have on people's lives. She also explores a wide range of issues and debates surrounding Big Tech—from copyright infringement and data privacy to environmental concerns, cyberbullying, and dark patterns—while seeking solutions. Drawing on years of intensive reporting on generative AI and Big Tech since the arrival of ChatGPT, her solid investigative work and incisive analysis shine throughout.