Chapter 11: Ethical Dilemma

                The British Computer Society serves as a good organization that is legal that supports organizations, standardization and as well as structuring reference for IT professionals and their projects. The organization gives the members tools to gain professional recognition and stay ahead of the competition in the international industry, use resources to continue professional development and stretch career opportunities, connect with Top people, great ideas and the latest thinking locally, nationally and online and get the chance to connect online with other like-minded members, create groups, collaborate and create projects. If we we’re given the chance to join the BCS, we would mot probably consider the chance. Due to the fact that it is internationally acknowledge, the said benefits above are good help for IT individuals. We haven’t been offered any membership application but if ever they would, I think we would very much consider the offer. We believe that the framework is relevant as to its effectiveness since it speaks for the public, legality and quality for its competency and integrity.

Chapter 9: Ethical Dilemma

• To what extent do you think it is appropriate to replace the human decision-making process with computer technologies such as expert systems?
• In the case of Patricia, it is evident that there should be limitations as to how an exert system will handle decisions, especially if it would involve humanly considerations. It should not overlap decision-making capabilities that would go beyond what it can only do, and instead leave decisions to humans, which is more appropriate. In Patricia's case it is mentioned that her situation was the first one to be encountered by the expert system, so there must be a consideration on this matter.

• What do you think about this comment? Do computers make mistakes? Is any computerised system free from mistakes? Should we be educating people to believe that computers are infallible - are computers infallible? What do you think are the ultimate ramifications of believing in infallible computerised systems?
• I personally think that it would not be a valid statement if anyone concludes that there is an expert system that DO NOT make mistakes. Computers are manipulators and interpreters, and not conclusion-givers. They give results but should not in any way interfere with humanly decisions if a decision calls for. Computers make mistakes, as many failed experts systems proved to be. Yes, they can dramatically improve and enhance our way of living but people should not be dependent on it entirely, especially in decision-making. An acclaimed error-free expert system can still make mistakes, just like what happened to Patricia's case, in which the system has not yet encountered a case similar to hers, and the system failed to give an appropriate decision to her situation. People, especially persons who are inclined into information technology should be taught only of the potential uses and applications of these kind of technology, but should also be educated on its limitations and downsides. It would not be true that computers are infallible because it does not tolerate or consider human considerations for that matter. Consequences would be fatal if one would believe that computers are infallible, just like what happened to Patricia's case. Wrong decisions made by computers would be dangerous and life-degrading in some cases, and could even lead to life-threatening situations.

Chapter 8: Ethical Dilemma

• What are your views on this situation?

This is really quite surprising if I were Alice. Videoconferencing is widely used nowadays. This technology helps a lot of employees and employers since outsourcing is now on trend. Through this technology, flexibility and being able to work anywhere is possible. But in the situation stated, I as an applicant, would follow what would the employer instruct even after suggesting to them to use videoconferencing for the interview.

• Do you feel that this highlights (even in a small way) the opportunity to reduce environmental damage by using technologies to support communication and therefore avoid unnecessary travel?

It is true that the employer can save fare for flying Alice from New Zealand to UK but I don't think that the fuel to be burnt for flying her would be saved because a flight schedule is fixed so even if Alice would not board the plane,  the plane would still fly to UK. Though by using videoconferencing, stress and time could be saved.

• Do you believe that people should be willing to adapt to the use of such videoconferencing technologies - is this an ethical issue? Given a willingness to adapt, is it possible that the interview process can be carried out in such a way as to overcome the possible deficiencies of the technology-so that the candidate is not disadvantaged by not being physically present, and also provide the interview committee with the opportunity  to gain a clear impression on Alice?

People must at least consider the usage of these technologies.  High quality videoconferencing almost gives real-time or even a real-time events. Employers have different judgements when it comes to employing persons. Some are through gestures and facial expressions of the interviewee and some are on how the interviewee reacts and answers in the given questions. In videoconferencing, it is almost like you are talking in person with the person on the video however being not physically present in a interview gives a different feeling. Applicants may gain more confidence since they know that the employer is not really in front of him but it may also give the opposite.

• Do you feel that if members of a workforce are expected to adapt to the deployment of such technologies, then members of a management team should be willing to do likewise (in the above discussion, we have demonstrated an example of the unwillingness of a management team to employ even videoconferencing facilities)? 

• To what extent to you think senior management is generally willing to accept the introduction of computer-based technologies to monitor their own activities during working day?

Chapter 7: Ethical Dilemma

So far in this chapter we have not paid any particular attention to the impact of ICT on older people – people who have previously lived within a fairly stable environment. Today the momentum of change is ever increasing. Consequently, older people are becoming ever more concerned and bewildered by the constant alterations that are occurring in practically on every aspect of their daily lives. Stability is being replaced but instability. As younger people embrace e-mail, cell phones, text messaging and the like, the older generations see their post offices closing, no longer is there any personal contact at the bank, and who knows for how much longer they will be able to use a checkbook?

·         How do you perceive the ramifications of computer-based technologies, and the current pace of change impacting on older people?

As we all observe, there are rapid changes relating to computer-based technologies. A lot of ideas have been developed which offer more opportunities for technological advancements. Almost all fields or industries are ICT reliant, means every business activities are underpin with these advancements, and for many years to come, computer-based technologies will stay as the tool to keep our everyday activities easy and possible.

The older people, in one way or another, are the ones that find access to technologies difficult. This is because they find learning new technologies complicated on their part and some are just unable to absorb fast the changes in technologies. Nowadays, the old way of communication is passing. The Pen Pal that was commonly used before was replaced today by cellular phones which are less expensive and trouble-free way to communicate. With these changes, the older people who prefer to communicate to other people through letters would find it hard to send letters since today, the majority of people prefer the use new of technologies, and thus, the possibility of closing post offices and other old industries that older people are used to is at risk.

·         To what extent are they becoming increasingly isolated?

In means of communication, they are increasingly isolated. Latest trends in technologies are no longer their interest. ICT today are considered to be a fundamental prerequisite in order for a person to participate in society. Today, people with no knowledge, or have less knowledge about ICT resources are considered to be out of this world. The older person, who finds hard how to learn these new technologies, also finds hard how to communicate to other people.

·         Is direct personal contact being gradually eroded?

In most cases , yes.

·         Perhaps discuss these issues with an older person that you know, such as family member. Identify key issues.

·         Have these people gained as a consequence of the proliferation of and reliance we place upon computer based technologies and the pace of change that as ensued.

We believe, yes. It might be very difficult for older people to understand how new technologies work, but the new technologies still provide them the advantages of easy access and fun. Example is communicating to a loved one from abroad, through social networking sites and the internet, older people able to talk to their loved ones. Even though they are unable to operate technologies as good as the younger people, somewhat they still able to make use of the technology.

Chapter 6 - Ethical Dilemma

          Consider the scenario in which a group of your fellow students approach you to see whether you are interested in participating in a project that is intended to be a commercial venture. The group has become up with a novel approach to obtaining large numbers of e-mail addresses. This requires the development of some software, and once this is used it will be possible to develop a very extensive e-mail address list. Subsequently, this information is to be sold to companies involved in spam advertising. Your voice some initial reservations based upon your concern that this may not be entirely legal/ethical. However, you are assured that the software will only be used to obtain e-mail addresses for people who are normally based overseas- specifically in third world countries. Since the team is to be based in the UK and the software is going to be used to locate e-mail addresses that are normally based outside the UK, you are assured that you will be breaking no UK law.

How would you proceed?

             In this case, we would continue to ask some information to clarify what this commercial venture is all about. Moreover, we would ask also who are the higher personnel involve with this kind of project so we could approach them. We won't easily believe of what they are saying. We need to thoroughly analyze if we would join or not, and think if there is a misuse of rights of privacy in this scenario.

Do you consider that this is a legal/ethical undertaking?

              

             No, we will not consider it as a legal/ethical undertaking. It is because spam advertising is one of the threats of right to privacy. Even if we are assured that the development of software would only be used to obtain e-mail addresses for the people based outside UK, and we couldn't be breaking any laws or rules of UK but the fact in selling to other companies involving spam advertising is still an unethical act.

              

Would you still be willing to participate if the level of remuneration is sufficient?

           In this scenario, we would say to my fellow students that we are not interested to participate for the commercial venture. Since it's affecting the issues of privacy because it will be sold to the companies involving spam advertising, and probably it's not good even if the level of remuneration is sufficient. Helping to others is good but if you would know that there is a discrepancy of the things that you would involve, better not to.

  

At what point would personal remuneration override any ethical reservations that you may have?

               The benefit of the total compensation that we could receive in exchange for the service what we would perform is really the point that remuneration overrides the ethical issues. However, we also need to consider first that what we work is for good to help people and not to satisfy our needs. As a concerned citizen, we really need to carefully plan and think about doing those things.

Does this compromise your legal position?

           Yes, it compromises our position. If we were involved with this, knowing that the software you develop was not only being used to locate e-mail addresses that are based outside UK but also within the country that specialize in spam advertising. At the first place, our fellow students who approached and told us about this fraud things and not even saying the truth. It's not an ethical act. Second, our position as a citizen would be threatened because we created this kind of software, so we as an innocent and victim could become a criminal, so we could violate the laws of UK.Third, selling it involving spams  in expensive price is not right.

Chapter 5 - Ethical Dilemma

Let us suppose that you are employed by a company that develops websites for clients. One  day your boss presents you with a new project. In brief, your company has obtained a contract from a law enforcement agency to develop several websites. These are to act in line with the ‘honeypot’ scenario mentioned in the previous chapter. The project being undertaken by the law enforcement agency is to gather information in relation to individuals who may be ‘interested’ in extreme forms of violence. By developing this website you will be assisting the law enforcement agencies who will gather material in relation to people who peruse the site.

What is your ethical position?

In this kind of case, we think we must pursue developing the project, not only because we ought to, but also because we believe that doing so is an ethical and legal act (being supported by governing laws of the land). Helping the law enforcement through having their website realized would be big contribution not only for the good of the agency itself but for the good of the public. And although it might be viewed as against the privacy of the users, it can be a good measure to help protect and prevent future compromisation and destruction of important information and other matters. Cyber criminals are increasing in number every day, if the enforcement agency wouldn’t make any actions, further damage of private or public information might cause destructions to more people and properties.

Do you think this is an appropriate agenda in terms of invisibly policing the internet?

Yes, we think it is an appropriate agenda since it could be of great help ensuring and  protecting information and properties against criminals by detaining them and preventing them take any further offence.

Since your boss has presented you with this brief, in the case that you do not agree with  the ramifications of policing the internet in this way, do you have any political alternative but to undertake the work?

If in the case we do not agree with the ramification of the policing the internet, we would tell our boss that pursuing the development of the project might make our company be under some problems and conflicts.  Since the project interacts with sensitive and serious criminal issues, it might be very difficult for our company to handle any cases and issues that might be filed against the company or on the agency.

(Here we assume that your boss is insistent that the work should be carried out by you.) What – if any – real objections do you have?

Since we are into the development of the project, we could not think of any real objections. But, if we will consider the need of a user on internet privacy over sensitive transactions, we might think of proposing specific limitations for the effectiveness of the use of the project, but of course as professionals, any requirements specified  by the clients will be carried on .

Do you feel this is encroaching upon the liberty of the individual?

Yes, somehow. However, we think it is for the good of the majority of people. Through this kind of security measure we can help ensure technical advantage and integrity of the internet. Furthermore, the development is in line with the law enforcement, thus we are in the side of the government policies in protecting any further destructions either of the private or of the public interests.

Are your views influenced by the nature of the content of the website?For example, would your views be any different if the website related directly to terrorism or other forms of political extremism?

As professionals, of course we do not have any right to go against the wants and needs of our clients, though we can be able to give advice and proposals for the betterness and effectiveness of the project while considering the fact that our actions are not illegal or we are in line with the law.

To what extent do you think that the internet is currently being policed – not only in terms of monitoring those who enter particular websites or who enter contentious chat room areas or the like?

The internet until now is still not being policed by any authorative body. We believed it is very difficult to policed the internet because of its size and nature. However, there are bodies who help regulate or police the internet to certain aspects. Examples are the laws that govern the internet such as the Computer Misuse Act of 1990

Chapter 4: Ethical Dilemma

ETHICAL DILEMMA #1:

As Alice is to publish her textbook, in which she is to profit from it, she would really have to pay for the diagrams that she will be using for her textbook. But the other party (the companies) should also be considerate by giving off discount to Alice since according to the Fair Use Act, if it is to be used for educational purposes, it can be used freely. And since Alice is publishing an academic book, then it could be considered educational. It would be reasonable if companies would collect fees for these kinds of situations since it is with accordance to the law and it is also stated on the contract between the publishers and authors. It would be unfair to the author of the idea if she would just modify the diagrams, because still the idea remains the same. If she would express another idea from it (but still credit the author to whom she based her idea), then it would be valid. She would still be liable for modifying and not paying for the diagrams. Because of what she did, she would be guilty, and must undergo to a lawful process because of not crediting the work of the original authors.

In regards to plagiarism of codes of software, it could be said that there are as of the moment no strict laws and acts restricting plagiarism, especially the sharing of codes throughout the net. If the original author of the codes allows sharing and modification of the code, then it would be alright, but if it is copyrighted, then it would be a crime. If he or she modifies the codes, he or she should give proper credit to the original author of the code.