Issues of ethics
Introduction
Contemporary society has started using information technology and the breakthrough in information technology has also spurred several dilemmas and ethical issues. However, technology itself cannot be blamed for being the single most factor leading to the creation of ethical failures. The capability of information technology to enhance both mental and physical powers of individuals has rather led to immoral activities.
The basic opinion on technology is that it is a system or a tool which facilitates human beings in attaining their objectives. On the basis of this opinion, the ontological presupposition is that social and technical are different reality types. These two types permits the system to have a discrepancy between the technical means and social ends. Most scholarly debate on ethics and information technology has centered from this presupposition that distinguishes between social and technical reality. The main concern of this debate is to justify the practices that human beings engage with the help of information technology systems (Introna, 2007). An ethical issue may be said to arise if a particular party behaves in a manner that impacts the other party in attaining objectives. If such an impact is helpful then the individual’s conduct is appreciated. However, the conduct is said to be unethical if the behavior of a particular individual leads to negatively impact the objectives of another individual (Mason, 1995).
There has been several scholarly writings examining the linkages between information technology and ethics. Some scholars have emphasized on the “human values approach” to the ethics of computer. According to this approach the ethics of information technology should be concerned with safeguarding fundamental values like happiness, security, life and health of human beings. The end of the twentieth century witnessed the evolution of another approach “value-sensitive computer design”. According to this approach ethics dilemmas concerning computer can be prevented if while developing the new technology, attention is paid to safeguard the human value system (Kernaghan, 2014). However, most importantly it is essential to identify the ethical issues that arise with respect to information technology.
Ethical issues, democratic challenges and information technology
One of the most common theme is that of work and computers. This debate is concerned with the effect of computers on working environment. Information technology has been primarily blamed for deskilling the proficiencies of human beings as it helps in attaining both simple and complex tasks. Another severe issue is the impact of computers on work. Extensive use of information technology has several medical and health hazards. Human beings having extensive exposure to computers are prone to stress. Moreover, computer networks, groupware and technology significantly impacts the manner in which work is divided at both domestic and international levels. Information technology may lead to the distribution of work to be unfair especially in areas where labour is cheap. This unfair division further leads to the development and sustenance of global inequality (Wright, 2011).
Computers and privacy
A highly debatable topic is that of computers and privacy. Privacy is often breached as unauthorized individuals may have access to confidential data of specific individuals. Employees may have access to the confidential information of employees including perusing employee emails and keeping a check on their telephone conversations. Severe criticism has been levied due to using databases and selling personal information without due permissions. At the same time, the data accuracy and unauthorized access to such databases are also relevant ethical failures in information technology.
Another pertinent issue for both individuals and organizations is the network security. There have been instances when protected as well as public databases including the point of sale processes and electronic transfer of funds have been breached and unauthorized transactions have been made. The extensive use of internet for business and private use have further accelerate the importance of protection and security of data (Thompson, 2001).
Other than these, the aspects of personal and individual privacy including the protection of dignity of human beings should also be considered. Ethical concerns of information technology with respect to the safeguarding of economic interests of both individuals as well as business houses is another aspect which needs to be examined. There may be an overlap between legal, economic and ethical issues with respect to the manner activities are conducted with the use of information technology.
Social power and information technology
There may be other ethical mishaps relating to the misuse of information technology with respect to gender biases, education, and politics. All the issues of gender, education and politics are related to one another. In order to compete for job opportunities one of the basic skills is that of basic knowledge of computers and information technology. It is essential that employees are tech savvy so that they may have chances of being selected and recruited by potential employers. This may lead to both attitudinal as well as technological issue. The fairer sex is usually not interested in computers and information technology and this may lead to a perception error by employers. However, the usage of extensive information technology to bring about international data to be incorporated in classroom education is helping both women and men to be technology savvy and computer literate (Avgerou & McGrath, 2007).
People are also learning diverse computer and software programs so as to equip themselves for better job opportunities. Employers prefer to take candidates having knowledge of information technology. This has posed a problem for those who are already a part of the labor market but has limited knowledge on information technology. Such individuals are slowly being rendered redundant by employers. This is a significant ethical problem with respect to equality. Most companies do provide vocational training and detrain employees from time to time. Despite this, the natural preference is given to individuals who are proficient in computers and information technology processes and systems.
The emergence of information technology into the personal, social and work life of human beings have several moral as well as political implications. The third world nations are highly impacted especially in the equity of using information technology. Developed nations have recourse to superior information technology tools which facilitate them to build sophisticated devices for meeting goals. On the other hand, most developed nations are outsourcing cheap labor from third world nations for programming and accomplishing non-core functions of an organization. The ethical issue raised in this case is that their own labor force remain underutilized.
Another implication is whether such third world countries will get an opportunity to enhance themselves by developing superior information technology tools.
Information technology also helps in political decentralization and centralization of power. Information technology has made it possible for digital democracy so that individuals can use automated voting machines. However, there are several moral implications of dependability and safety of using such machines. One of the major ethical questions posed in this effect is that of network security and the chances that the votes provided are authentic and not rigged.
Social issues and information technology
The breakthrough in information technology has led to the creation and distribution of social power. This is an ethical problem as individuals as well as governments often misuse their social power by means of information technology to attain objectives which may be harmful to others.
Information technology, abuse and crime
Information technology has also led individuals to commit several crimes online. Cyber bulling, piracy, virus are some major issues with the misuse of information technology. Several economic crimes and scams have emerged due to the misuse of automated systems and processes. This is a serious ethical mishap as it is mostly committed by employees and not by hackers.
Another significant ethical failure is that of industrial espionage including wiretapping risks. Due to the risk of wiretapping, leading firms refrain themselves from using open networks. Another ethical issue presents itself with the illegal copying and using of software as well as piracy of software. This ethical issue is with respect to economic justice and revenue. However, diverse nations have diverse cultures and hence different responses to intellectual property and this leads to ethical dilemma. Most crimes related to information technology lead to the breach of legal sanctions. This is because breakthrough in information technology has led to increased cybercrime. Information technology has also led to a wider reach and hence more individuals are able to misuse the system and processes to commit crimes. Another implication of ethics on information technology is that the benchmark for acceptable and non-acceptable conduct becomes bleak.
Information technology, communication and ethics
Over the past seven decades there has been several changes in the field of communication and information technologies. A global code of ethics on information and communication technology has been presented by UNESCO which aims to consider legal, societal and ethical implications of the society on information technology and communications.
The UNESCO has advocated a set of rules, obligations, rights and values so as to protect the misuse of information and communication processes and systems. Internet and social media in particular are tools for public communication (UNESCO, 2011).
Hence such information should be should be non-discriminatory and recognize the fundamental rights of human beings. Human beings have started abusing social media tools and the internet for advocating negative publicity and harmful communication which may impact the dignity of individuals as well as organizations. Cyber bullying with the help of social media tools have led to mobbing, gossip and foster harming the dignity of human beings. All these crimes fall under the idea of sub-morality. This concept of sub-morality was proposed by Magnani. According to him, the linkages between violence and ethics contributes to a naturalistic and fluid conception of ethics. The total disregard for traditional values and morals have led to the emergence of daily conflicts on social network sites and have further fostered cyber bulling (Bertolotti & Magnani, 2011). This is a serious ethical failure in information technology.
Another concern is with respect to intellectual property rights and the manner in which they may be extended to protect electronic information. This is related to the safeguarding of ideas, creativity and innovation of property by individuals and organizations. There are copyright rules for safeguarding printed materials. However, no such rules exist to safeguard printed home pages and this may be severely misused and tampered with. This further leads to the issue of plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious crime and may lead to severe consequences. However, individuals need to follow changed values and practices so as to not engage in committing ethical mishaps (European Union, 2012).
Conclusion
In order to stick to ethics it is essential that individuals and organizations move beyond the facts and theories relevant to the current situation. It is essential to analyses the current circumstances and bring in the support of other people to ensure the adherence of ethics, behave in a humane fashion and look towards a bright future.
The ethics of information technology is highly significant as it involves using devises like email, social media, software and computers. Such tools are used in our daily life and hence as citizens, individuals should be responsible to recognize conduct which may lead to ethical mishaps and dilemmas. It is essential that facts and possible repercussion of each event or circumstance is analyzed to ensure the safeguard of morality, values, customs and traditions. It is essential that every individual understand the need to protect fundamental rights and adhere to ethics while using information technology. This can lead to the creation of a welfare and ethical society. This is one of the most significant challenges presented by the advancement of information technology (Paris et al. 2013).
References
Avgerou, C. & McGrath, K. (2007). Power, rationality, and the art of living through socio-technical change. MIS Quarterly, 31, 2, 295 – 315.
Bertolotti, T. & Magnani, L. (2013). A philosophical and evolutionary approach to cyber-bullying: social networks and the disruption of sub-moralities. Ethics and Information Technology, 15, 4, 285 – 299.
European Union. (2012). Ethics of information and communication technologies. Retrieved November 19, 2014 from http://ec.europa.eu/bepa/european-group-ethics/docs/publications/ict_final_22_february-adopted.pdf
Introna, L. D. (2007). Maintaining the reversibility of foldings: making the ethics (politics) of information technology visible. Ethics and Information Technology, 9, 11 – 25.
Kernaghan, K. (2014). Digital dilemmas: values, ethics and information technology. Canadian Public Administration, 57, 2, 295 – 317.
Mason, R.O. (1995). Applying ethics to information technology issues. Communications of the ACM, 38, 12, 55 – 57.
Paris, C., Colineau, N., Nepal, S., Bista, S.K. & Beschorner, G. (2013). Ethical considerations in an online community: the balancing act. Ethics and Information Technology, 15, 4, 301 – 316.
Thompson, P. B. (2001). Privacy, secrecy and security. Ethics and Information Technology, 3, 1, 13 – 19.
UNESCO (2011). General Conference 36th Session, Paris 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2014 from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002126/212696e.pdf
Wright, D. (2011). A framework for ethical impact assessment of information technology. Ethics and Information Technology, 13, 3, 199 – 226.
