1. Ethical Issues in Social Media Mining

2. Unobtrusive 'data-scraping' methods
'Big data', e.g. web searches, browsing activity, tweets, etc.
People may not be aware of the extent of logging of their online behaviours
Online behaviours leave permanent traces in ways not typical offline
How do researchers/developers approach use of such data?
Claire Hewson, Ethics Issues in Internet-mediated Research

3. Confidentiality, anonymity
Enhanced traceability of data, dissemination implications, use of quotes
Other data leakage risks, e.g.
Traces on personal computing equipment
Sensitivity of data is a factor associated with levels of risk of harm
Researchers/developers should carefully assess risks, and perhaps inform participants of these risks
Claire Hewson, Ethics Issues in Internet-mediated Research

4. Ethical Issues
Ethics: A branch of philosophy that deals with what is considered to be right and wrong
A Code of Ethics is a collection of principles that are intended to guide decision making by members of an organization
Turban, Rainer and Potter, “Introduction to Information Systems”

5. The Four Categories of Ethical Issues
Privacy Issues involves collecting, storing and disseminating information about individuals
Accuracy Issues involves the authenticity, fidelity and accuracy of information that is collected and processed
Property Issues involves the ownership and value of information
Accessibility Issues revolve around who should have access to information and whether they should have to pay for this access
Turban, Rainer and Potter, “Introduction to Information Systems”

6. What is ethic?
Fairness, justice, equity, honesty, trustworthiness & equality
Subjective
Legal B C
Immoral
Moral A D
Illegal

7. Ethical vs. Legal Issues
Sometimes have a definitive answer
Determination is made by others (not you)
Ethical issues
You determine your course of action
The law doesn’t make it “right”
Being “right” doesn’t make it legal
Jim Davis, “Legal and Ethical Issues in Computer Security”

8. Views on Ethical Behavior
In every job situation, we are all eventually faced with an ethical dilemma
How will you react?
How will you determine what the “right” course of action is?
What are you willing to risk to do the “right thing”?
How far are you willing to bend? And when?
Examples:
Should companies collect and/or sell customer data?
Should IT specialists monitor and report employee computer use?
Should you act on information you inadvertently see due to having administrator privileges?
Jim Davis, “Legal and Ethical Issues in Computer Security”

9. Framework for Ethics What motivates us to view issues a certain way?
Are we consistent in the way we approach ethical issues?
How do we resolve conflicts in approach?
Two basic camps:
consequence-based and
rule-based
Richard Spinello, “Case Studies in Information and Computer Ethics”

10. Consequence-Based Ethics
Priority is given to choices that lead to a “good” outcome (consequence)
The outcome outweighs the method
Egoism: the “right choice” benefits self
Utilitarianism: the “right choice” benefits the interests of others
Jim Davis, “Legal and Ethical Issues in Computer Security”

11. Rule-Based Ethics
Priority is given to following the rules without undue regard to the outcome
Rules are often thought to codify principles like truthfulness, right to freedom, justice, etc.
Stress fidelity to a sense of duty and principle (“never tell a lie”)
Exist for the benefit of society and should be followed
Jim Davis, “Legal and Ethical Issues in Computer Security”

12. Privacy Issues
Many ethical issues (and legal issues) in security seem to be in the domain of the individual’s right to privacy verses the greater good of a larger entity (a company, society, etc.)
Examples: tracking employee computer use, crowd surveillance, managing customer profiles, tracking travel with a national ID card, location tracking, ….
A key concept in sorting this out is a person’s expectation of privacy
Jim Davis, “Legal and Ethical Issues in Computer Security”

13. Protecting Privacy
Privacy. The right to be left alone and to be free of unreasonable personal intrusions
Two rules have been followed fairly closely in past court decision in many countries:
The right of privacy is not absolute
Privacy must be balanced against the needs of society
The public’s right to know is superior to the individual’s right of privacy
Turban, Rainer and Potter, “Introduction to Information Systems”

14. Protecting Privacy
Electronic Surveillance. The tracking of people‘s activities, online or offline, with the aid of computers
Personal Information in Databases. Information about individuals is being kept in many databases
banks, utilities co., govt. agencies, … etc.
the most visible locations are credit-reporting agencies
International Aspects of Privacy. Privacy issues that international organizations and governments face when information spans countries and jurisdictions
Turban, Rainer and Potter, “Introduction to Information Systems”

15. Ethics of Data Mining
Combining information via data warehousing could violate Privacy Act
Must tell people how their information will be used when the data is obtained
Data mining raises ethical issues mainly during application of results
Using ethnicity as a factor in loan approval decisions
Screening job applications based on age or sex (where not directly relevant)
Declining insurance coverage based on neighbourhood if this is related to race (“red-lining” is illegal in much of the US)
Whether something is ethical depends on the application
E.g. probably ethical to use ethnicity to diagnose and choose treatments for a medical problem, but not to decline medical insurance

16. Ethics issues to consider
Public-private domain distinction
Confidentiality
Copyright
Consent; withdrawal; debrief
Levels of control
Disruption of social structures
Claire Hewson, Ethics Issues in Internet-mediated Research

17. Ethical principles Integrity: Act with honesty in all situation
Trust: Build trust in all stakeholder relationships
Accountability: Accept responsibility for all decisions
Transparency: Maintain open and truthful communications
Fairness: Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships
Respect: Honor the rights, freedoms, views, and property of others
Rule of Law: Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations
Viability: Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders
Daniel Fund

18. Examples of ethical dilemma in social media?
Ethical boundaries and complexities
Social Media Ethical Codes of Conduct