6/12/ Legal and Ethical Issues in Computing Lecture one

Why a class on Ethics? 6/12/ Technology can be a blessing and a curse… Fire is a prime example of a technology that kicked off civilization, yet no doubt with a down side. Many people have died from fire, but countless many people lived long productive lives because society had fire….

What other technologies can we compare computers to? Trains Planes Automobiles Guns  Explosives  Insecticides  Drugs…. 6/12/ All have their Pros & Cons Can you list some? Let’s make a list……..

Benefits of Computer Technology  Medical  Commerce  Automation  Complex Systems that require computers  Communication  List some more…. 6/12/2016 4

What about the down side 6/12/ Loss of Privacy Theft of Intellectual Property Computer Errors List more of the negatives …

What is ethics? 6/12/  Derived from the Greek word “ethos”, which means “custom”, “habit”, and “way of living”  Ethics is concerned with human conduct, i.e., behavior of individuals in society  Ethics is a system of morals of a particular person, religion or a group  Moral: means dealing with, or capable of, distinguishing between right and wrong, and between just and unjust

What is ethics? 6/12/  According to the Webster Dictionary, ethics is the system or code of morals of a particular person, religion, group, or profession.  Ethics are subject to personal interpretation. Two people may not view the same ethical issue the same way.  eg, Allen may think that Nelly's behaviour is unethical, but Dorah may not think that Nelly is acting unethical at all.

What is ethics? Cont-- 6/12/  Professional Ethics: concerns one's conduct of behavior and practice when carrying out professional work, e.g., consulting, researching, teaching and writing.  Professional Ethics must take into account:  Relations between professionals and clients  Relation between profession and society  Relations among professionals  Relations between employee and employer  Specialized technical details of the profession

6/12/  A computing professional must understand  Cultural, social, legal, and ethical issues in computing  Responsibility and possible consequences of failure

IEEE - Code of Ethics (1) 6/12/  In recognition of importance of our technology in affecting the quality of life we commit ourselves to conduct of the highest ethical and professional manner and agree to:  accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with safety, health, and welfare of the public.

IEEE - Code of Ethics (2) 6/12/  avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest  be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates  reject bribery in all forms  improve understanding of technology, its application, and potential consequences  maintain and improve our technical competence and undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified

IEEE - Code of Ethics (3) 6/12/  seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work  acknowledge and correct errors  credit properly the contributions of others  treat all persons fairly regardless of race, religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin  avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action  assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them in following this code of ethics

Computer Ethics (1) 6/12/  Computer Ethics  Special Responsibilities Facing Computer Professionals and Users Maintaining relationships with and responsibilities toward customers, clients, coworkers, employees, and employers. Making critical decisions that have significant consequences for many people. Determining how to manage, select, or use computers in a professional setting. Computer ethics defined as the application of classical ethical principles to the use of computer technology

Computer Ethics (2) 6/12/  Do the Right Thing”  Behaving Ethically Includes: Being honest. Keeping promises. Doing your job well. Not stealing.  Scope: communications networks which brings the world together  Anonymity: beneficial but creates problems of integrity.

Computer Ethics (3) 6/12/  Aspects of computer ethics:  Analysis of the nature of problems related to the social impact of computers  Formulation and justification of policies needed to manage computer technology

Ethical vs. Legal Issues 6/12/  Ethical issues are not legal issues.  Legal issues have documented definitions (laws) with specific consequences if the laws are broken.  Ethical issues are guidelines set by a specific group of people with no real documented definitions of what is right and what is wrong.  Individuals can choose if they wish to follow the ethical guidelines or not.

Law vs. Ethics 1. Described by formal written documents 2. Interpreted by courts 3. Established by legislatures representing all people 4. Applicable to everyone 5. Priority determined by laws if two laws conflict 6. Court is final arbiter for right 7. Enforceable by police and courts 1. Described by unwritten principles 2. Interpreted by each individual 3. Presented by philosophers, religions, professional groups 4. Personal choice 5. Priority determined by an individual if two principles conflict 6. No external arbiter 7. Limited enforcement –usually the “court of public opinion” 6/12/ LAW Ethics

Examples of Legal Issues in computing 6/12/  Criminal statures  Federal and state regulations  Commonly accepted professional practices  Variations among countries and regions  Un authorised access  Sabotage and destruction of data  Theft of commercial software

The Three Ethical Decision Theories. 6/12/  These theories explain how people make ethical decisions, and are guidelines to how individuals look at an ethical issue and make a decision.

Utilitarianism Theory 6/12/  Considers the ethical issue and its relationship to individuals  Makes a decision based on what benefits the most people  "The greater good of the most people".

Pluralism Theory 6/12/  Believes there are two options in an ethical issue, right and wrong decisions  Pluralism stresses each person has a decision- making duty, must make ethical decisions based on that duty, and never break away from the decision- making duty.  All decisions are clear-cut, black and white  E.g. No one should ever lie.

Rights-based Theory 6/12/  All people have rights, and those rights must be respected  Decisions are based on respecting individual rights  E.g. you should never read a person’s because it violates a person’s rights to privacy, and resist the temptation.

(Possible exam questions) 6/12/  What are ethics? In your discussion of ethics, respond to the following questions:  Why are ethical questions so difficult to answer?  What are some examples of ethical issues concerning the use of computers?

Instructions for Assignment one  In groups of Five attempt the following questions and hand in on Tuesday 9 th Feb 2015 before 12:00pm. Late submission will not be accepted. Avoid copy and paste any work that raises suspicions of copying will lead to loss of marks. Include the references at the end of your work. 24 6/12/2016

GUIDELINES ON ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS  Type-set your work using font 12 of new times roman, double spaced, and justify your work  References of not less than 6 books, if it is online of www………..Indicate date when it was accessed.  Define key terms in the question  Sign against your names  Indicate the name of your lecturer  Include, name, code, of your course unit and yr program. Please deliver good well researched work  6/12/

Assignment one  1. Explain the three fundamental tenets of ethics. i.e Responsibility, Accountability, and Liability.  2. What are the major objectives of codes of ethics?.  3. Giving examples explain the various types of computer abuses that employees commit in their work places.  4. Discuss with examples the various threats to an information security 6/12/

6/12/  THANK YOU.