COMPUTER ETHICS

Computer Ethics n What is ethical behavior? n How do we make ethical decisions? n Matherial from Ethical Decision Making and Information Technology by Kallman & Grillo

Ethical Decisions n Ethical decisions are made based on ethical princilples. n Ethical principles are ideas of behavior that are commonly acceptable to society.

Why Should We Care About Ethics? n We make a number of ethical decisions daily. n Some unethical decisions can put us on the wrong side of the law. n Decisions can affect our career and reputation. n Obliged to uphold the principles of the society in which we live.

Computer Ethics n Most experts agree that there is no special category of computer ethics. n There are ethical situations in which computers are involved. n Capability of computers can lend a special character to the problem. n Computer allows people to perform actions faster or to perform actions too difficult

Three Phases of Ethical Decision Making n Recognize the ethical problem exists. n Attack the problem logically and consider alternative actions. n Make decision on action to take based on ethical principles.

What Affects Our Behavior? n Drive for food, shelter and love - Biological Level n Rules from government, religion, institution and the family - Societal Level n Ethical considerations - Higher Level

How Do We Make an Ethical Decision? n Research the law n Use guidelines n Person’s rights n Person’s duty

Use Guidelines n Informal guidelines n Formal guidelines

Informal Guidelines n Are “Shushers” involved? n The “Mom Test” n The “TV Test” n The “Smell TEST”

Formal Guidelines n Corporate policy n Corporate or professional codes n Golden rule

ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct n Contribute to the improvement of society and to the well-being of human lives n Take care not to harm others n Speak the truth and merit trust n Treat others with fairness n Honor the intellectual property rights of others

ACM Code Cont. n Give proper credit when using the intellectual property of others n Respect the right of privacy of individuals n Honor confidentiality

Ten Commandments of Computing - Computer Ethics Institute n Thou shall not use a computer to harm other people n Thou shall not interfere with other people’s computer work n Thou shall not snoop around in other people’s computer files n Thou shall not use a computer to steal n Thou shall not use a computer to bear false witness

Ten Commandments - Continued n Thou shall not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid n Thou shall not use other people’s computer resources without authorization and proper compensation n Thou shall not appropriate other people’s intellectual output n Thou shall think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing n Thou shall always use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect for your fellow humans

Person’s Rights n The right to know n The right to privacy n The right to property

Person’s Duty n To foster trust n To act with integrity n To be truthful n To do justice n To act with appropriate gratitude n Make appropriate reparation

What Special Ethical Problems Involve Computers n Computers cause personal contact to be reduced n Little time is available in making a decision n Electronic information is easily changed n Information more vunerable to unauthorized access n Easy access to information

Special Ethical Problems Cont. n An error in a program could be devastating n Software piracy – Public Domain Software – Shareware – Copyrighted Software n Pornography – Internet has no single authority – Filtering Software such as Cyber Patrol

A 4-Step Process for Ethical Analysis and Decision Making n Understand the situation - what are the ethical issues? n Isolate the major ethical dilemma. – State it in the form: Should someone do or not do something? n Analyze the ethicality of doing or not doing the action. n Make a Defensible Ethical DecisioN