Executive Summary
Facebook has emerged as effective social network site that facilitates interaction and communication in great strides previously not experienced. However, this information spread and interaction that has overcome international barriers has equally been accompanied by a number of ethical concerns. In the recent history, Facebook has been misused with the organization failing to provide confidentiality and privacy to its users and accounts being accessed by unauthorized persons. In addition, cases of cyberbullying and pornographic literature sharing have also been experienced. It is on that premise that the paper recommends a number of security and confidentiality measures that Facebook needs to pursue.
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1.0 Introduction
Facebook is arguably the most subscribed to social network site boasting of billions of subscribers. However, even with the establishment and the continued subscription, the owners continue to grapple with several ethical and professional concerns especially in relation to matter of privacy. By and large, Facebook enables the users to access each other, communicate and share information and content in ways that are not only innovative, but equally efficient and non-costly for the common users. In the melee of this technological hype, lies fundamental concerns that Facebook management and other social network sites owners at large need to look and address with the immediacy it deserves. This paper examines the Facebook contentious issues that resonate on privacy and recommends that Facebook take a more active role in the provision of security and privacy for the worldwide subscribers if it is to retain its popularity and avoid any potential litigation.
2.0 Definitions
Facebook refers to the social media network platform that enables interactions through a virtual medium that is based on the worldwide web. It enables sharing, posting, chatting, discussion, among other applications among friends.
Ethical Controversy
An ethical controversy is that conduct or behaviour that raises questions about one’s moral standing in the society.
3.0 Results and Discussion
3.1 Historical Background
The historical context of the controversy can be traced back to the founding of Facebook and the basis on which it operates. The premise of operation works on the informal social media and the need to bring together persons through virtual interaction. In the Facebook platform, people who have the least idea about each other easily get connected through an acceptance of a friend request often allowed to any subscribers through the access of profiles. The profiles in addition contain essential information that can be used not only to identify persons, but to equally trace their origin, locations and family and friends relations. It is this approach that has facilitated the interaction between the persons across the globe. However, with the interaction and gaining of information concerning others that easy, critical ethical concerns have arisen as a consequence. It is these concerns that inform the motivation and calls for increased privacy for the stakeholders. Indeed, it is essential for Facebook management to consider the privacy concerns and pursue an approach that would not only ensure confidentiality but will equally enable the successful protection of privacy rights.
3.2 Current Situation
The current context introduces even more fundamental concerns. In the recent times, Facebook has facilitated cyber bullying, privacy attacks and even malicious distortion of information concerning persons. Several cases of unauthorised access of information, hacking of accounts, entry and access to groups, pages and other Facebook applications have occurred and gone unabated. The danger has often been the nascent character of the laws, the Facebook policies and the immense ignorance of the victims. This has facilitated a situation that leaves everyone wondering whether the Facebook is really compliant with privacy needs and regulations. In addition, it is noteworthy that the bloggers and Facebook users have also been part of the blame due to their inability to exercise caution and approach application se with due care and caution. It is, however, incumbent on Facebook management to pursue mechanisms that would instil privacy and confidentiality among its users.
3.3 Recommendations
On that basis, the paper shall in the next section examine the future ethical actions that Facebook needs to implement and recommend a number of actions that would be necessary in the fulfilment and installation of privacy and confidentiality. Foremost, the survival of Facebook depends on how well it handles the cyberbullying, hacking and authorised access to accounts or general account information. The level of information technology development of the random user in the world has surpassed average and Facebook must equally up their game in order to handle this primitive energy. One ethical pursuit should be in line with the management of the system so as to prevent authorised entry, access, interaction and general touch with information and accounts. On this front, Facebook needs to put more into investment on privacy and confidentiality. The organization must develop comprehensive and effective mechanisms that can protect the subscriber information and account from hackers and illegal users.
Additionally, cyber bullying and manipulation must be reigned on. One recommended method entails the trailing of accounts and random interception of data for analysis and examination. The onus is upon Facebook management to ensure that the platform is not littered by cyber bullies. In the recent past, the Facebook platform has been used to attack and spread hate messages and champion bullying of others. The system should be able to detect instances of cyber bullying.
Moreover, Facebook need to bolster the report and block system. Currently, the report and block system merely allows the user to block a former friend. However, with the ethical concerns arising, Facebook must examine all reported cases and blocked friends and determine the extent of “sin” committed by such persons. The threshold should be set at a higher level such that account user who misuse Facebook be blocked permanently and denied membership again. In connection to that, with increasing digitization, the individual account holders need to be required to register with their identification numbers. This would mean that each user of Facebook can be traced down and located in any part of the world by the Facebook. This would be in line with the need to deal with the legal issues. In cases where account holders misuse the platform to spread content that is illegal and misleading, it should be upon Facebook to trace such persons physically and press legal charges in the courts of competent jurisdictions. This would be possible with the help and participation of the legal systems of the world. In that context, it is instructive for governments to play their roles through the introduction of cyber laws that equally cover elements of privacy and decorum in social networks such as Facebook. With the force of law characterised in progressive legislation, holders would definitely exercise due care and caution in the use of Facebook.
Another ethical concern that has not been effectively tackled relates to the pornographic content and literature. Facebook must appreciate the diverse nature of its users. It must also recognise the fact that the age levels of the users also incorporates the minorities. On that premise, the content that is floated on Facebook must not be pornographic in nature. However, recently and over time, Facebook has been used by subscribers to sale and promote pornographic content. Facebook must reign in on this illicit trade and undertake to regulate the site to the exclusion of such content. It is essential that the legitimacy, morality and ethical framework is maintained for purposes of stability and progression of society.
4.0 Conclusion
In conclusion, the paper appreciates the private nature of Facebook as a social platform that differentiates it from public forums and hence entitles it to its own set of policies and regulations. However, as mentioned in the paper, it is essential that Facebook protect the moral fabric and ethical character of societies.
5.0 Bibliography
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Doyle, T., 2013. Anita Allen: Unpopular privacy: what must we hide?. Journal Ethics and Information Technology, 15(1), pp. 63-67.
Eid, M. & Ward, S., 2009. Ethics, New Media, and Social Networks. Global Media Journal , 2(1), pp. 1-4.
Waring, R. & Buchanan, R., 2010. Social Networking Web Sites: The Legal and Ethical Aspects of Pre-Employment Screening and Employee Surveillance. Journal of Human Resources Education, 4(2), pp. 14-24.
