Ethics and Privacy Issues in Information Systems

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Questions and Answers

What is one significant negative consequence of increased use of information systems on personal life?

Improved physical fitness

Reduced personal interaction (correct)

Greater work-life balance

Increased outdoor activities

Which condition is primarily associated with repetitive stress injuries from computer use?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (correct)

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Muscle atrophy

Tennis elbow

What does technostress refer to in the context of information systems?

Stress from social interactions

Mental health improvements from technology

Stress caused by physical activity

Aggravation and fatigue due to technology use (correct)

Which of the following health issues is linked to excessive screen use?

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of work-life balance is negatively affected by the use of information systems?

Extended work-day Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the moral dimensions of the information age?

Information rights and obligations Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical principle states that one should take actions that achieve the higher or greater value?

Utilitarian Principle Signup and view all the answers

What technology trend has led to raising ethical concerns regarding privacy?

Advances in data analysis techniques Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical principle suggests that if an action cannot be taken repeatedly, it is not right to take at all?

Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative Signup and view all the answers

What ethical issue is associated with the tracking of individual cell phones?

Privacy invasion and surveillance Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of nonobvious relationship awareness (NORA) involve?

Finding hidden connections among data sources Signup and view all the answers

Which principle suggests that we assume almost all tangible and intangible objects are owned by someone?

Ethical 'No Free Lunch' Rule Signup and view all the answers

Which moral dimension addresses issues of control and accountability in information systems?

Accountability and control Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk associated with improperly disposing of documents?

Potential identity theft Signup and view all the answers

What ethical issue was raised by the senior academic's disclosure of student information?

Violation of student privacy rights Signup and view all the answers

What economic impact does content piracy have in the U.S. according to the content provided?

It costs $58 billion annually Signup and view all the answers

Which method is mentioned as a potential solution to combat pirated content?

Search engine algorithms to filter out pirated sites Signup and view all the answers

What role do crawlers play in combatting content piracy as mentioned in the content?

They find and block unauthorized content Signup and view all the answers

What challenges do contemporary information systems pose regarding individual privacy?

They may lead to unauthorized disclosures Signup and view all the answers

What issue related to accountability is affected by information systems?

Difficulty in tracing information breaches Signup and view all the answers

What political issue can arise from the use of information systems?

Legislative delays in regulating technology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a challenge to user privacy related to the Internet?

Cookies Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of spyware?

To transmit user keystrokes or unwanted ads Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tools can help protect privacy while browsing the internet?

Private browsing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a form of intellectual property protection?

Trademark Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge posed by digital media compared to physical media?

Digital media can be more easily replicated Signup and view all the answers

How long does copyright protection last for an individual's intellectual property?

Life of the author plus 70 years Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a technical solution for privacy challenges?

Public forums Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of patent protection on an invention?

20 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of professional codes of conduct?

To regulate professions in the interest of society Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best defines the concept of privacy in the context of information rights?

The right to control information about oneself Signup and view all the answers

What does the Data Protection Act require from organizations?

To follow specific rules about storing personal data Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement of the European Directive on Data Protection?

Organizations must disclose how personal data is collected and used Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Right of access' entail under stricter enforcements being considered?

Organizations must provide personal data if requested Signup and view all the answers

Why should one think carefully before updating social media statuses?

They are subject to Data Protection legislation Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept 'The Internet Doesn’t Forget' imply?

Personal information can be permanently accessed Signup and view all the answers

What is the safe harbor framework used by U.S. businesses with EU personal data?

Guidelines for data protection compliance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

One in three people admit to discarding documents containing personal information without shredding.
A UK council left social worker records in a cabinet sold at auction.
62,000 Bank of Scotland mortgage details were put on a CD and mailed, but never arrived.

People Are Aware of Their Rights

A Lancaster University academic received a warning for responding to a student's mother's complaint.
The professor listed the student's modules, and contact time, etc.
The student complained about the university releasing this information without consent.

Information systems raise ethical questions due to:
- Intense social change, impacting power structures and rights.
- Emergence of new criminal activity.
Specific principles for ethical decision-making are needed.
The use of technology in information systems presents challenges for privacy, intellectual property and overall quality of life.
Laws establishing accountability, liability, and quality of life have been impacted by the systems.

Content Pirates Sail the Web

Pirated content costs the US economy $58 billion annually (including lost jobs and taxes).
Search engine algorithms can prevent the appearance of pirated content.
Crawlers identify and alert users to pirated content.
New products and services can compete with pirated content.
NBC uses crawlers to block unauthorized content, slowing access and penalizing downloaders.
This demonstrates IT's role in enabling and preventing piracy.
IT enabled products are shown to help prevent the appeal of pirated content.

Information systems raise new ethical concerns because of opportunities for profound social change, impacting existing power structures.
New types of criminal activity can emerge.
Information age moral dimensions include: information rights and obligations, property rights, accountability and control, quality of the system, and quality of life.
Key technology trends raise ethical issues: increased computing power, data storage, and improved data analysis & networking.
These trends lead to detailed dossiers on individuals and potential non-obvious connections between individuals.

Candidate Ethical Principles

Golden Rule: Treat others how you want to be treated.
Kant's Categorical Imperative: Actions are right only if they would be acceptable for everyone.
Descartes' Rule of Change: If an action isn't reversible, it's not ethically permissible.
Utilitarian principle: Choose the action that produces the greatest overall good.
Risk Aversion principle: Choose the action with the least potential harm or risk.
Ethical 'No Free Lunch' Rule: Virtually everything has an owner.

Challenges to Privacy and Intellectual Property

Information on individuals being collected on-line without consent.
Individuals claiming access to and control of personal information.

Principles to Guide Ethical Decisions

Professional codes of conduct outline moral conduct standards of professionals, like ACM and related promises to uphold societal interest.
Real-world ethical dilemmas arise when "right" and "wrong" aren't clearly defined. Organizations try to reduce their workforce using new systems
Privacy: individuals claim a right to be left alone and control information about themselves.
A Data Protection Act is meant to safeguard stored personal data, with guidelines for compliance, storage, and potential use.
Companies must inform users how their information is being stored and used.
EU member nations regulate data transfer, with US businesses working through frameworks like "safe harbor" agreements.

Social media posts are legally bound by data protection legislation.
Users should think before posting on social media, as the internet doesn't forget.

Challenges to Privacy & Intellectual Property (Internet)

Cookies, supercookies, web beacons, and spyware
Tracking user behavior, collecting data, and potentially transmitting unwanted ads.

Challenges to Privacy & Intellectual Property (Specific)

Intellectual property rights, intangible assets created by individuals or corporations.
Trade secrets, copyright, and patents protect intellectual property.
Digital media poses challenges as it is easily copied, transmitted, and in some cases potentially 'stolen'.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act addresses these challenges.

Information Systems and Quality of Life

Negative social consequences of systems: reduced personal interaction, boundary issues, reduced physical activity, dependency on systems, and impact on life.
Health risks: Repetitive stress injuries (RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), computer vision syndrome (CVS), technostress.

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Description

Explore the critical ethical, social, and political issues surrounding information systems and privacy. This quiz delves into real-world examples and scenarios highlighting the importance of ethical decision-making in an increasingly digital society.