Ethical Issues in Information Systems

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Questions and Answers

What is one ethical issue raised by information systems?

  • Privacy (correct)
  • Physical security
  • Environmental impact
  • Employment opportunities

Which principle is part of the five moral dimensions of the information age?

  • Environmental responsibility
  • Economic stability rights
  • Information rights & obligations (correct)
  • Health and safety rights

What is the main purpose of Nonobvious Relationship Awareness (NORA)?

  • To enhance social media interactions
  • To identify connections to help find criminals or terrorists (correct)
  • To analyze financial data for investments
  • To improve user experience on websites

How do cookies function in web browsing?

<p>They identify the user's web browser and track website visits. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What risk is associated with the digital divide created by information systems?

<p>Disparities in access to technology and information (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does profiling in the context of information systems entail?

<p>Collecting data from multiple sources to analyze individuals (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does the information age present politically?

<p>Regulating cybersecurity and addressing misinformation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the slippery slope rule?

<p>A principle that warns against the potential consequences of unethical actions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant social impact of information systems?

<p>Creation of a digital divide (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical issue addresses how data is utilized and maintained?

<p>Privacy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of accountability & control imply in information systems?

<p>Organizations must take responsibility for data management. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does profiling raise in terms of ethical considerations?

<p>Risks related to data privacy and surveillance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does nonobvious relationship awareness (NORA) enhance data analysis?

<p>It uncovers hidden relationships from disparate sources. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects an ethical concern related to information systems' impact on power dynamics?

<p>Concentration of power among monopolies (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern regarding cookies in web technology?

<p>They can track and identify user behavior without consent. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the digital divide manifest in society?

<p>Disparity in access to digital information and technology. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Information System Ethical Issues

Information systems create intense social change, threatening existing power, money, rights, and obligations. Ethical issues include privacy, accuracy, intellectual property, and accountability related to data collection, use, and protection.

Social Impacts of Information Systems

Information systems affect jobs, contribute to a digital divide, and influence behavior and culture.

Political Impacts of Information Systems

Information systems challenge regulation, freedom of speech, cybersecurity, and power dynamics, including concerns about monopolies and misinformation.

Profiling

Combining data from multiple sources to create detailed information about individuals.

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NORA (Nonobvious Relationship Awareness)

A data analysis technology providing powerful profiling capabilities by correlating information from diverse sources (like employment, phone records, etc.).

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Cookies

Small text files saved on a computer when visiting websites. They track visits and browser information.

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Five moral dimensions of the Information Age

Information rights & obligations, property rights & obligations, system quality, quality of life and accountability & control.

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Slippery Slope Rule

An ethical concept (not defined in the text; just mentioned) where a course of action might lead to unintended and negative consequences.

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Digital Dossier

A detailed collection of information about an individual, compiled from various sources and used to create a profile.

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NORA

Nonobvious Relationship Awareness - A data analysis technology that identifies obscure connections between people using diverse sources like job applications, phone records, and customer lists.

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Information Rights and Obligations

One of the five moral dimensions of the information age, focusing on the rights individuals have to access and control their personal information, as well as the obligations organizations have to protect that information.

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Property Rights & Obligations

One of the five moral dimensions of the information age, focusing on the ownership and use of intellectual property, such as software, music, and digital content.

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System Quality

One of the five moral dimensions of the information age, focusing on the reliability, security, and usability of information systems.

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Quality of Life

One of the five moral dimensions of the information age, focusing on the impact of information technology on society, including issues like job displacement and the digital divide.

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Study Notes

Ethical, Social, and Political Issues Raised by Information Systems

  • Information systems create opportunities for social change, potentially disrupting existing power structures, finances, rights, and obligations.
  • Ethical concerns arise regarding privacy, accuracy, intellectual property, and accountability in data collection, use, and protection.
  • Societal impacts include job displacement, the digital divide, and influence on behavior and culture.
  • Politically, these systems challenge regulations, freedom of speech, cybersecurity, and power dynamics, with concerns about monopolies and misinformation.
  • Balancing innovation with fairness, security, and ethical responsibility is crucial.

Five Moral Dimensions of the Information Age

  • Information rights and obligations.
  • Property rights and obligations.
  • System quality.
  • Quality of life.
  • Accountability and control.

Profiling

  • Profiling is the use of computers to combine data from multiple sources to create detailed information dossiers on individuals.

Nonobvious Relationship Awareness (NORA)

  • NORA is a data analysis technology that enhances profiling capabilities.
  • It combines data from various sources (e.g., employment applications, phone records, customer lists) to identify relationships and potential criminal activity.

Ethical Choices and Decision-Making

  • Responsibility involves accepting the implications of actions taken.
  • Accountability ensures that mechanisms are in place to determine who is responsible for actions.
  • Liability refers to legal recourse for damages caused by actions or inactions.
  • Due process ensures laws are known and understood, providing recourse to appeal decisions.

Slippery Slope Rule

  • It suggests that if an action cannot be repeatedly justified, it shouldn't be taken at all.
  • It cautions against the gradual progression of potentially negative outcomes.

Cookies and Web Beacons (Tracking)

  • Cookies are small text files stored on a computer to track user activity on a website.
  • Website software uses cookies to remember past user actions, customize content.
  • Web beacons are invisible embedded files in emails or web pages that monitor user behavior.
  • Copyright legally protects creators' intellectual property for a defined period. (author's life + 70 years)

Patents and Trademarks

  • Patents grant exclusive rights to inventions for a set period.
  • Trademarks distinguish products or services. (e.g., logos).

Trade Secrets

  • Trade secrets protect intellectual property that is unique and confidential.
  • Legal protections for trade secrets vary by state.

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