Principles of Data Ethics in the Digital World.docx

Principles of Data Ethics in the Digital World Why do we need Data and Digital Ethics? Digital and online technologies pose risks of significant harms to privacy, security, autonomy, fairness, transparency etc. in all of its remarkable benefits. Moral Theories Two aims of moral theories Theoretical...

Principles of Data Ethics in the Digital World Why do we need Data and Digital Ethics? Digital and online technologies pose risks of significant harms to privacy, security, autonomy, fairness, transparency etc. in all of its remarkable benefits. Moral Theories Two aims of moral theories Theoretical aim: To explain what features of actions make them morally right or wrong Practical aim: To offer practical guidance in making morally correct decisions Three most influential moral theories in normative ethics Utilitarianism Virtue Ethics Immanuel Kant’s deontological ethics Principles of Data Ethics Because Moral theories are difficult to deduce what they would prescribe in a particular context, professional associations and private firms have formulated more specific principles to guide ethics in data and information technology. Cyberbullying The use of the internet or digital devices to inflict psychological harm on a person or group For example Repeatedly texting or emailing hurtful messages to another person Spreading derogatory lies about another person Tricking someone into revealing personal information Revealing someone’s secrets online Posting embarrassing media of other people without consent Impersonating someone else to damage their reputation Threatening or creating significant fear in another person Effects of cyberbullying Depression and anxiety Low self-esteem Difficulty sleeping Headaches, stomachaches Suicidal thoughts and attempts Eating disorders Whistle-blowing Sometimes, it can be difficult to hold people accountable for unethical or illegal acts because leadership within organizations may cover up corruption. This reality calls on ordinary private citizens to report unacceptable conduct by “blowing the whistle”. Definition of a whistle-blower: Someone who breaks ranks with an organization in order to make an unauthorized disclosure of information about a harmful situation after attempts to report the concerns through authorized organizational channels have been ignored or rebuffed. When is whistle-blowing morally permissible? The firm…will do or has done serious and considerable harm to employees or to the public. Once employees identify a serious threat to the user of a product or to the general public, they should report it to their immediate superior and make their moral concern known. If one’s immediate supervisor does nothing effective about the concern or complaint, the employee should exhaust the internal procedures and possibilities within the firm What are the two conditions that when met, makes whistle-blowing morally obligatory on top of being morally permissible? The whistle-blower must have, or have accessible, documented evidence that would convince a reasonable, impartial observer that one’s view of the situation is correct The employee must have good reasons to believe that by going public that necessary changes will be brough about. The chances of being successful must be worth the risk one takes and the danger to which one is exposed.