What Is Computer Ethics by James Moor - Article Example

of the of the of the Ethics and ICT Albert Einstein is said to have quoted as follows: “It is not enough that you should understand about applied science in order that your work may increase man’s blessings. Concern for man himself and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors.” (Einsstein, n.d.) Ethics is the basis of each and every human interaction. The emphasis upon ethics becomes even more important when it comes to the professional execution of everyday activities that involve Information and Communications Technology Professionals. Living in a technologically advanced and dominated world today there is no refuge from Technology based products and their effects. It is therefore incumbent that the survival be embedded with ethics as basis of establishment. James Moor commented on ethics in relation to information and computer technology in the following words: “Computer ethics is not a fixed set of rules which one shellacs and hangs on the wall. Nor is computer ethics the rote application of ethical principles to a value-free technology. Computer ethics requires us to think anew about the nature of computer technology and our values. Although computer ethics is a field between science and ethics and depends on them, it is also a discipline in its own right which provides both conceptualizations for understanding and policies for using computer technology.” (Moor, 1985) Professionals linked to the field of ICT thus need to ethically responsible for a number of things. The following study is an attempt to evaluate an ethical issue related to ICT and then further on extends into an evaluation using the DOING ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE. ETHICAL ISSUE HIGHLIGHTED: “MAINTAINING PRIVACY AND SAFETY OF STAKEHOLDERS” To evaluate this current ethical issue a recent (not more than four weeks old) article form the Brimbank Weekly Newspaper was evaluated. A summary of the core idea behind the article is represented as under: TITLE OF ARTICLE: “Practice the Web Safety you Teach” SUMMARY OF THE ARTICLE The article highlights that web safety and privacy of the stakeholders’ interests should be practiced the way it is preached. Summary of the issue: The basic ethical issue that has been highlighted in the article is that Web security is the right of every individual. Ethically it becomes the responsibility of every individual who is an Information and Communications Technology Professional to safeguard privacy and security of others’ interests. Any violation in doing so is not in line with the ethical boundaries to which every ICT related individual is bound. The article further proceeds as follows: The article highlights that schools often propagate the pictures and some personal information of their students without the permission of their parents. The personal information may involve the name of the child or the grade in which he studies etc. It emphasizes the fact that schools themselves do not permit students to put up their pictures in their school uniform on the internet so that the school’s image may not get associated in any inappropriate manner. On the contrary, however the school administrative itself does not practice the same for its students who should be their most valued assets. On the contrary, if the parents try to search their child’s name on any reputable on-line search engine like Google they are shocked to find repeated entries of the child’s name in various documents. This is without the acquisition of any permission from them. Entries for children even as small as 4-5 year old are found online without any prior intimation to the child’s parents or guardians.. Parents are concerned that the availability of even the slightest of information about their children over the web may prove to be hazardous for their safety and security. Sicne the information is associated with the school name and location the kids’ security becomes highly vulnerable. Another issue highlighted is that when school authorities are contacted for the resolution of this issue they laugh at the back of the parents and do not take the sanctity of the privacy of the children seriously. Considering maintenance of children’s privacy as a trivial issue they do not take any immediate steps if parents ask them not to put any information relevant to their child in a public posting without any prior permission from them. The article emphasizes that schools should make combined regulations according to which absolutely no personal information would be put online regarding the students studying in a school. Moreover, pictures should only be put online if the guardians’ permission is sought. The pictures can be tagged by student identity names or any other names instead of disclosing the real name or any other personal information. ANALYSIS OF THE ARTICLE WITH RESPECT TO THE DOING ETHICS TECHNIQUE What is going on? Web security and privacy of individuals is not being respected by professionals linked with ICT. What are the facts? The article highlights the following facts: By using student related information publically without the parent/guardian’s approval and by taking non seriously the request for maintenance of privacy made by the parents, What are the issues? The ICT personnel belonging to the schools are severely defying three of the ACS code of ethics that have been highlighted in the beginning. Who is affected? The stakeholders of the IT related organization get affected by the violation of ethics by ICT concerned personnel. As in the case of the referenced article the stakeholders are the students of the schools as well as their parents and the schools themselves too. What can be done about it? The Australian Computer Society (ACS) encompasses all Information and Communications Technology Professionals from all levels as its members. The society maintains a code of ethics for its members. The ICT professionals living in Australia are all members of this Computer Society. Being a member of this society, each individual is bound to adhere to all ethical implications concerning information and communications’ technology. Any violation from the code of ethics of the ACS should be checked and the responsible individuals should be accounted for in terms of either being fined or being suspended from their duties for limited periods of time. What options are there? The options present are that each and every individual should play his own integral role. The following code of ethics notified by the ACS should be strictly abided by every individual on his own basis: “1. The Primacy of the Public Interest You will place the interests of the public above those of personal, business or sectional interests. 2. Honesty You will be honest in your representation of skills, knowledge, services and products. 3. Professionalism You will enhance the integrity of the Society and the respect of its members for each other.” (ACS, 2011) Which option is best – and why? “Honest is the best policy” states the famous old quotation. Thus, Honesty is the best option. Any person who adheres to honesty both with his inner self stays the same with others too. Being honest automatically leads to the implementation of ethical norms by an individual may they be a part of his personal or professional lives. WORKS CITED: Moor, James. What Is Computer Ethics? Metaphilosophy. 16(4), 266–75. 1985. Web. 2011. Macgibson, Ainslie. Practice the web safety you teach. Brimbank Weekly. September 5, 2011. Web. October 6, 2011. Read More