Ethical controversies in the field of IT.pdf

Talks and Discusses Ethical Controversies in the field and industry of IT.

Shared for resource and education purposes.

1. Ethical controversies in
the field of IT:
Presented by
Simran Singh

2. Controversy
A well-known ethical controversy in IT is
"Data Privacy vs. Surveillance", especially
concerning tech giants like Facebook (now
Meta), Google, and Amazon.
This controversy revolves around the
collection and use of personal data by
technology companies. Companies collect
extensive data on users to provide tailored
services, enhance user experiences, and
deliver targeted ads. However, this has
raised ethical questions regarding users’
privacy, consent, and data security.

3. Key Ethical issues
Consent and Transparency:
Security Risks and Data
BreachesData Ownership and Control:
Surveillance and Government
Collaboration:
Many argue that companies do
not provide enough transparency
about the data they collect and
how it’s used. Users often agree
to lengthy terms without fully
understanding them, leading to a
lack of informed consent.
Collected data is vulnerable to
cyberattacks. When companies suffer
data breaches, millions of users'
personal information can be
compromised, raising questions about
whether data collection practices are
justified given the security risks.
There’s a debate over who truly
"owns" personal data once it's
shared with a company. Users feel
they should retain control, but
companies argue that they have
rights to the data as part of the
service agreement.
Tech companies often face
pressure from governments to
share user data for national
security purposes. This raises
concerns about government
overreach and the balance
between privacy and security.
Targeted Advertising and
Manipulation:
Companies use personal data to
serve highly targeted ads, which
some argue manipulates user
behavior and can influence
personal choices, including
political decisions.

4. The Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018 is a prime
example. Facebook allowed third-party access to personal
data without clear user consent, which was allegedly used
to influence elections. This case highlighted the risks of
inadequate data privacy protections and led to increased
scrutiny of IT companies’ data practices.
Case Study:
Ethical Perspectives
Utilitarian View: Collecting data helps improve services,
benefiting society as a whole. But the potential harm to
individuals when privacy is breached, or data is misused, may
outweigh these benefits.
1.
Deontological View: Users' rights to privacy should be
respected as a matter of principle, regardless of the benefits to
companies or society.
2.
Corporate Responsibility: Companies have a duty to protect
user data, even if it limits their business model. Ethically, they
should prioritize user rights and safety over profit.
3.

5. Conclusion
The data privacy vs. surveillance controversy raises
critical ethical questions about how to balance
innovation with respect for individual rights. This
debate continues as technology evolves, pushing
companies and governments to find more ethical ways
to handle user data.

6. Thank You For
Your Attention