Harvard’s Shoshana Zuboff has written some of the most influential books explaining how society has been impacted by digital technology. Her first, The age of the smart machines, explored how work was and would be influenced. Her most recent work, The age of surveillance capitalism explores the consequences of the trade of free access to online content and services for personal information. Following the greater public awareness that occurred in the run up to the Presidential election of 2016, everyone is growing more aware of the collection and use of the residue generated by their online activities and what is done with these data.
I have read both of Zuboff’s books. They are understandable, but quite long. If you don’t want to dedicate the time required for the in-depth version, this recent Guardian interview with Zuboff offers a reasonable substitute. You may be intrigued enough to purchase the book.