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ETHICS and ETHICS and COMPUTERSCOMPUTERSETHICS and ETHICS and COMPUTERSCOMPUTERS

An Overview

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FOCUS QUESTIONFOCUS QUESTIONFOCUS QUESTIONFOCUS QUESTION

What ethical and legal issues affect ICT and its users?

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EthicsEthicsEthicsEthicsEthics are the moral principles which determine the

rightness or wrongness of particular acts or activities.Being ethical means selecting a right action over a

wrong one.Being unethical means intentionally acting in a

wrong or bad way.Ethics are based on value systems.Ethical dilemmas require choices.

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THE ISSUESTHE ISSUESTHE ISSUESTHE ISSUESPrivacy and Personal InformationEncryptionTrust : reliability, failures, dependency,

computer modelsFreedom of speechIntellectual PropertyComputer crimeComputers and WorkImpact and control of computersProfessional Ethics and Responsibilities

Solving Ethical Solving Ethical DilemnasDilemnas

Solving Ethical Solving Ethical DilemnasDilemnas

There are two main approaches to solving ethical dilemmas:

1. utilitarianismgreatest good for the greatest number of people

2. deontologybased on following personal or societal values,

rules, or duties

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What Is Computer What Is Computer Ethics?Ethics?

What Is Computer What Is Computer Ethics?Ethics?

Computer EthicsComputer Ethics The moral guidelines that

govern the use of computers and information systems.

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Corporate Social Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate Social Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Responsibility (CSR)

People in business must make ethical decisions.Some areas of CSR include

selling products that are not harmfulconducting business with positive impacttreating employees fairlynot engaging in deceitful practices

Companies now hire ethicists to help with CSR.

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BUSINESS ETHICSBUSINESS ETHICSBUSINESS ETHICSBUSINESS ETHICSBusinesses have a “social responsibility” to

act in a manner that is in the best interests of society in general, as well as the best interest of a company

Stakeholders watch businesses to ensure that they uphold their social responsibility

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VALUE SYSTEMSVALUE SYSTEMSVALUE SYSTEMSVALUE SYSTEMSIndividual value systems are the result of

many factors – race, religion, cultural background, education, family values and our own experiences throughout life

These factors help shape what we believe is right or wrong

Sometimes the choice is straightforwardSometimes you are asked to make decisions

based on your own value systemThese conflicts are called ethical dilemmas

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How Do Ethics Apply to How Do Ethics Apply to ICT?ICT?

How Do Ethics Apply to How Do Ethics Apply to ICT?ICT?

The following are examples of ethical dilemmas in ICT:What is the responsibility of an employer regarding ergonomic

health risks?Should an employer be able to stop an employee from

sending a personal e-mail?Should an employer be able to monitor employee computer

activity?Should insurance companies be able to use ethnicity data

when establishing rates?

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LEGAL VS. LEGAL VS. ETHICALETHICAL

LEGAL VS. LEGAL VS. ETHICALETHICAL

LEGAL: actions or behaviour that are carried out according to the law

Relationship between something that is “legal” and something that is “ethical” not necessarily “cut and dried”

Ethical and legal may not always be the same thing

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LEGAL VS. LEGAL VS. ETHICALETHICAL

LEGAL VS. LEGAL VS. ETHICALETHICALLEGALLEGAL NOT LEGALNOT LEGAL

ETHICALETHICAL

It is both legal and ethical to protect customer privacy when a customer makes online purchases at your e-commerce site.

It is not legal, but could be considered ethical to leak information that appeared on your employer’s Intranet to the media in order to stop illegal activity within the company.

NOT NOT ETHICALETHICAL

It is legal but not considered ethical to call in sick to you company message centre when you are not really ill.

It is neither legal nor ethical to sell the e-mail addresses of your customers without their permission.

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Legal and Ethical Issue Legal and Ethical Issue in ICTin ICT

Legal and Ethical Issue Legal and Ethical Issue in ICTin ICT

Legal and ethical are not necessarily the same thing.

Sometimes it takes laws a long time to catch up with the way society views situations.

The law is constantly evolving to keep up with issues of cybercrime.

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Codes of ConductCodes of ConductCodes of ConductCodes of Conduct A code of conduct is written

guidelines that help determine whether a specific computer action is ethical or unethical

10 Commandants of Computer Ethics

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Basic Rules of Online Basic Rules of Online Safety for TeensSafety for Teens

Basic Rules of Online Basic Rules of Online Safety for TeensSafety for Teens

1. Keep your identity private2. Never get together with someone you “meet” online3. Never respond to e-mail, chat comments, or

newsgroup messages that are hostile, belligerent, inappropriate, or in any way make you feel uncomfortable

4. Talk with your parents about their expectations and ground rules for going online

5. Know the rules of online security