ASSINGMENT NO 2
QUESTION
Analyze unethical situations/ethical dilama and perform ethical
decision making throughout their technology careers in various
positions.
In the field of technology, ethical dilemmas and unethical situations frequently arise due to the rapid
development of new technologies and the complex societal issues they bring about. Professionals in
various roles, from software developers to IT managers, data scientists, and executives, face critical
decisions that can impact society, the environment, users, and their organizations. The ability tothese
situations and make ethical decisions is crucial to maintaining integrity, fostering trust, and ensuring
that technology serves humanity's best interests.
Examples of Unethical Situations in Technology Careers:
1. Data Privacy Violations:
o Scenario: A software developer working for a social media company is instructed
to gather more detailed user data to improve targeted advertising. However, the
data collected goes beyond what is necessary, invading users' privacy.
o Ethical Dilemma: Should the developer follow the instructions from their superior,
even though they feel the practice is unethical? Or should they challenge the
decision to protect user privacy?
o Analysis: Data privacy is a fundamental ethical concern. Violating user privacy not
only erodes trust but could also breach regulations like GDPR. The developer must
weigh the responsibility to respect user privacy against organizational demands. An
ethical decision would involve seeking alternative ways to gather insights without
compromising privacy or refusing to comply with unethical practices, while reporting
the issue to higher authorities.
2. Algorithmic Bias:
o Scenario: A data scientist is involved in developing an AI algorithm for hiring
purposes. However, the algorithm, trained on historical data, perpetuates bias
against certain demographic groups (e.g., gender or racial biases).
o Ethical Dilemma: Should the data scientist adjust the algorithm to reduce bias, or is
the bias inherent in the historical data and therefore unavoidable?
o Analysis: Ethical AI design is key to preventing harm and ensuring fairness. Bias in
AI can lead to discrimination, unequal opportunities, and reinforce societal
inequalities. An ethical decision would involve recognizing the bias, advocating for a
more inclusive dataset, and developing techniques to mitigate such biases. Ignoring
the issue would allow unethical outcomes to persist.
3. Surveillance and Monitoring of Employees:
o Scenario: An IT manager is asked by upper management to implement monitoring
software that tracks employees' activities and productivity without their knowledge,
under the guise of efficiency improvements.
o Ethical Dilemma: Should the IT manager comply with the directive, or push back
against this invasive practice?
o Analysis: Employee surveillance can lead to trust violations, harm morale, and
infringe on privacy rights. While monitoring can be justified for certain cases (e.g.,
ensuring security or compliance), it must be transparent, fair, and proportional. An
ethical decision involves discussing with HR and leadership about the balance
between security and employee autonomy and seeking consent where appropriate.
4. Intellectual Property Theft:
o Scenario: A developer leaves a company to work for a competitor, and they are
tempted to take proprietary code or trade secrets they worked on for the former
employer.
o Ethical Dilemma: Should the developer take the information, believing it’s just
"code" they wrote, or respect their former employer's intellectual property rights?
o Analysis: Intellectual property is protected by law and ethical principles. Taking
proprietary information without permission is theft, and it could lead to legal
consequences and damage professional reputation. An ethical decision would
involve respecting confidentiality agreements and avoiding any actions that could
harm a previous employer.
5. Environmental Impact of Technology:
o Scenario: A tech company is developing a new product that requires materials
that are harmful to the environment. There is an option to switch to more
sustainable alternatives, but this would increase production costs.
o Ethical Dilemma: Should the company prioritize profit over environmental
sustainability, or should it invest in more eco-friendly materials at a higher cost, even
if it affects profitability?
o Analysis: Ethical decision-making should consider the long-term environmental
impact and the company's social responsibility. The decision should involve
evaluating the environmental costs, potential harm to communities, and the
company’s role in promoting sustainability. A responsible choice may involve seeking
innovative ways to reduce harm to the environment, even if it means taking a hit in
short-term profits.
6. Cybersecurity and Hacking:
o Scenario: A cybersecurity expert discovers a vulnerability in the system of a client
company that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors. However, disclosing
this vulnerability might damage the company's reputation and result in legal
consequences.
o Ethical Dilemma: Should the expert reveal the vulnerability to the company,
despite the potential fallout, or keep the discovery confidential to avoid disruption?
o Analysis: The ethical responsibility of a cybersecurity professional is to protect users
and the public from harm, which includes reporting security vulnerabilities. While
the situation could be difficult, failing to report a vulnerability could expose users to
significant risks. The ethical decision is to communicate the findings to the company
promptly, enabling them to secure the system and protect their users.
Framework for Ethical Decision-Making in Technology:
1. Identify the Ethical Issue:
o Clearly define the ethical dilemma and the key parties involved. Understand whether
the issue involves fairness, privacy, security, environmental concerns, or legal
implications.
2. Consider the Consequences:
o Evaluate the short-term and long-term consequences of each possible decision.
Consider the impact on individuals, organizations, society, and the environment.
3. Consult Ethical Guidelines:
o Refer to industry-specific ethical guidelines and codes of conduct. For example, the
ACM Code of Ethics for computer scientists, or the IEEE Code of Ethics for engineers,
can help guide decision-making in technology.
4. Evaluate Stakeholders' Rights and Interests:
o Consider the rights of affected parties, including users, employees, the public, and
the environment. Ensure decisions prioritize human well-being and fairness.
5. Seek Alternatives:
o Look for creative ways to solve the problem that minimize harm and maximize
benefit. Often, ethical dilemmas involve finding a middle ground that respects the
interests of all parties involved.
6. Make the Decision:
o Choose the action that aligns with ethical principles such as honesty, fairness,
transparency, and responsibility.
7. Take Responsibility:
o Be prepared to defend your decision, both ethically and legally. Take responsibility
for the outcomes, and be open to revising the decision if it turns out to have
negative consequence
THE END
