Computer Ethics

1
Computer Ethics
2
Overview

• To frame our discussion, consider
• Why should we study computer ethics?
• What domains provide input for our
  considerations?
• Is computing special, or simply another
  technology with regards to ethical considerations?

3
Outline

• Policy Vacuum
• Professional Responsibility
• Example

4
New Possibilities

• New technologies create new possibilities for
  human action. In doing so, new technologies
  present us with situations for which we must
  evaluate the technology in the context of use.

5
Policies

• James Moor argues that the central task of
  computer ethics is to determine what we should do
  and what the policies (personal and social)
  should be.

6
Policy Vacuum

• Some argue that new technologies create policy
  vacuums. This lack of policy implies two things
• 1) we must decide on a behavior without policy
  guidance, and
• 2) we are responsible to help formulate policies
  for these technologies.

7
Professional Responsibility

• 1.1 Contribute to society and human well-being.
• An essential aim of computing professionals is to
  minimize negative consequences of computing
  systems, including threats to health and safety.
  When designing or implementing systems, computing
  professionals must attempt to ensure that the
  products of their efforts will be used in
  socially responsible ways, will meet social
  needs, and will avoid harmful effects to health
  and welfare.

http//www.acm.org/constitution/code.html
8

• 1.7 Respect the privacy of others.
• Computing and communication technology enables
  the collection and exchange of personal
  information on a scale unprecedented in the
  history of civilization. Thus there is increased
  potential for violating the privacy of
  individuals and groups. It is the responsibility
  of professionals to maintain the privacy and
  integrity of data describing individuals. This
  includes taking precautions to ensure the
  accuracy of data, as well as protecting it from
  unauthorized access or accidental disclosure to
  inappropriate individuals.

http//www.acm.org/constitution/code.html
9

• 2.3 Know and respect existing laws pertaining to
  professional work.
• ACM members must obey existing local,
  state,province, national, and international laws
  unless there is a compelling ethical basis not to
  do so. Policies and procedures of the
  organizations in which one participates must also
  be obeyed. But compliance must be balanced with
  the recognition that sometimes existing laws and
  rules may be immoral or inappropriate and,
  therefore, must be challenged.

http//www.acm.org/constitution/code.html
10

• 2.7 Improve public understanding of computing and
  its consequences.
• Computing professionals have a responsibility to
  share technical knowledge with the public by
  encouraging understanding of computing, including
  the impacts of computer systems and their
  limitations. This imperative implies an
  obligation to counter any false views related to
  computing.

http//www.acm.org/constitution/code.html
11
Communications Paradigms

• On the Internet everyone can be a publisher. We
  can "publish" whatever we wish. We are protected
  by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

12
NOT

• Attempting to apply existing frameworks to new
  technologies won't work. The government routinely
  tries to restrict First Amendment protections
  that were not explicitly mentioned in the
  Constitution.

13
First Amendment

• Congress shall make no law respecting an
  establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
  free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom
  of speech, or of the press or the right of the
  people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
  government for a redress of grievances.

14
Historical

• Print Media (newspapers, books, magazines,
  pamphlets)
• Strongest protection. This is precisely what the
  framers of the Constitution intended to protect.
• Broadcast (television, radio)
• This media regulated. Standards of merit are
  reviewed by the government and license renewal in
  contingent on meeting that standard.
• Common Carriers (telephone, telegraph, postal
  system)
• Provide a medium of communication, not content.
  Must make their service available to everyone.

15
Notes

• The Internet, the Web, BBS, and online
  information services do not fit into one of the
  three paradigms. Neither did cable television.
  The Supreme Court said cable operators have more
  free-speech rights than broadcast but less than
  print.