Abstract:

The technology giants, Google, Apple, Meta and Amazon and Microsoft, referred to as GAFAM, have become key actors in the digital economy. As digital platforms, they operate high up the value chain, generating huge revenues and profits and occupying leading positions in terms of market value. They have a significant impact not only on the economy, but also on other elements of our lives and their growing dominance seems inevitable. However, in 2022, symptoms of a GAFAM crisis have emerged. No clear picture of the scale and causes of the changes taking place is yet available. This article attempts to assess the magnitude and potential causes of this change. An attempt to foretell the future fate of these companies is also presented.