**What does the term "big tech" refer to in industry discussions?**
The term big tech refers to the largest and most influential technology companies, primarily including Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, Meta (formerly Facebook), and Microsoft. These companies dominate various sectors including search engines, e-commerce, social media, software, and cloud computing. Industry discussions often focus on the impact of big tech on competition, privacy, and regulation, especially concerning their control over vast amounts of data and market influence. Their business practices are frequently scrutinized for monopolistic behaviors and ethical implications.