For such a clever and connected industry, tech firms have proven hopeless at cultivating genuine friendships. They are increasingly hated by all sides of the political spectrum, and so the only question now is how severe the backlash will be, not whether it will happen.

The Left hate the size and profits of Big Tech, want it to pay more in tax, are upset at its employment practices, and are incensed at what they believe, with limited evidence, was its role in Donald Trump’s victory. The Right resent how Twitter is dominated by an elite that is hostile to capitalism, conservatism and Brexit, are angry at the technology establishment’s Left-wing politics, and hate the industry’s cultural conformity....