Ethical Dilemma

Chapter 11 Ethical Dilemma

Approximately one year ago an editor of this book carried out an informal survey among his academic colleagues who were members of the BCS. He approached each and asked if they could state two points contained within the BCS Code of conduct. Two of these people responded by indicating that they did not know that the BVS had a professional code of conduct. Two indicated that while they knew the code of conduct existed, they had never looked at it. The remaining two - who indicated their awareness of the code of conduct and recalled having looked at it - stated that they could not recall its contents.

These where clearly dismal results, particularly as the question was asked if people who had been members for some time.

In this book we have discussed the bcs code of conduct in some detail - to what extent do you believe this code of conduct is important and/or relevant? why would you join the BCS? if you are a student in a university department studying computer science or IT, have you been offered a BCS membership application form? Are you aware of the opportunities for networking, and for joining special interest groups? these are certainly good reasons to join BCS - but on the other hand, during your professional career, do you believe that the framework defined within the BCS code of conduct is likely to be relevant and/or useful?

The BCS code of conduct is a set of rules wherein the rules have been grouped into the principal duties which all members should endeavor to discharge in pursuing their professional lives. It is useful when you are a professional in the future because of the set of rules, you can guide yourself as a better professional and also an individual. It consists of public interest, duty to employers and clients, and duty to profession that will lead you to have better insights when you have a job. We would join BCS since it has many benefits that can help a lot as having good behavior towards work. At first, we will have the benefits about the BCS but until we gained experience in the company we are working someday, our minds will automatically decide what is better to do when involving being a professional, and even we forgotten about the BCS, still we will remember what will do to have a better companionship towards public, co-employees and clients and also as an individual.

Blog Entry #5 - Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Dilemma 9

To what extent do you think it is appropriate to replace the human decision-making process with the computer technologies such as expert systems?

There are things that are needed to consider when to use the expert systems in a business operation with today’s existing computer technologies. The consequences of expert system, which acts on their own or someone else’s behalf actions are summarized in this relevant questions. Do the consequences benefit the user- that is, are they in the user’s interests? Do the consequences disadvantage the user? Do the consequences benefit a third party? If the benefits are for a third arty, who is the third party - example: government or commercial enterprises?

During the conversation Patricia asked the bank manager whether she felt that it was appropriate for the expert system to be empowered in this way. The response she obtained was that it was a great idea because computers do not make mistakes. What do you think about this comment? Do computers make mistakes? Is any computerized system free from mistakes?

Programmers, being human, are always liable to make mistakes. Computers, being machines, occasionally develop some fault or other. A programmer may make a mistake either in writing out the machine code or in a wrong analysis of the situation on which the program was based. A computer cannot make a mistake as long as it is programmed correctly. For the most part, computers do not make mistakes. They generally output answers based on the input given. If the input is wrong, the output can be wrong.

Should we be educating people to believe that computers are infallible? What do you think are the ramifications of believing in infallible computerized systems?

People must know that computers are infallible and how it helps the business process especially the expert system. This kind of technology is useful to people but not to everyone. As mentioned above, there are relevant questions to be considered. The ramifications of believing in infallible computerized systems would be first, it would grow as the modern company and any business process adopts this kind of technology. Expert system would only decide on what instruction given to it so user cannot do something else about the output given by the machine unless the person who has the authority will give the user another option just like in the situation of Patricia.

According to our professor, every process is not needed to be automated. His example given was about the advising process during the enrollment. There are consideration’s made by the faculty which will not be given to a student if the advising will be automated because the machine that will do this will just do the thing that is given to it. The same in the situation of Patricia, in which the bank she decided to open her bank account uses automated system or the expert system which acts on its own. The fault was her long stay outside the UK that’s why she wasn’t passed since it is required given by the system created for the bank.

Ethical Dilemma 8

Consider Alice, who is a staff member in a computer science department in New Zealand. She applies for a job at a university in the UK and is invited to travel to the UK for three-hour interview. Thus, Alice will have to fly some ten thousand miles each way in order to be present for three hours at the interview. Let us suppose that you are heading the interview committee in the UK, and are therefore Alice's primary point of contact, Alice send you an e-mail asking whether it would be possible for her to be interviewed using video conferencing facilities. She points out that this will not only save her a huge amount of flying time (at least 20 hours each way), buy also who will alleviate stress and furthermore - as she mentions - avoiding long-haul journey that are not absolutely necessary has a positive impact on the environment. in this respect she points out the significant amount of fuel that will be burnt in transporting her from New Zealand to the UK and on her return journey. She has access to high-quality video conferencing facilities and so does your university in the UK.

You bring this situation to the attention of other members of the interview committee, your head of department, and the like -- but find that nobody is particularly willing to make use of video conferencing facilities. This surprises you, especially as after all you are working in a computer science /IT department and therefore had supposed that staff would have been quite willing to embrace new technologies. You mention that costs will be saved in not having to pay Alice's airfare, and also stress that this is an opportunity to make use of computer technologies to avoid negative impact on the environment(in actual fact it is surprising how much fuel is consumed in supporting Alice's round-trip-the world trip).

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What are your views on the situation? 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?

Do you believe that people should be willing to adapt to the use of such videoconferencing technologies -- is this ethical issue? Given a willingness to adapt is it possible to interview process can be carried out in such 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 of Alice ?

1. In our analysis, we agree that this kind of highlights is an opportunity to reduce damage to environment. Stating the fact that a huge amount of fuel can be consumed for the interviewee’s round trip flight, or even the university could afford the fare for plane, let us think of the negative effect of the said particular situation. Burned fuel causes the atmosphere to reduce and make it thinner. Since the committee is involved in a high technology department, why not make use of it? If we allow a video conferencing, it will lessen the burden and the stress especially in the side of Alice. The both universities has a good access of high-quality video conferencing facilities, they can save a huge amount of money, time and effort if they agreed to use that technology. And this effect could avoid unnecessary travel and could also reduce further damage to nature.

2. We believe that people should be willing or must adapt to use the said video conferencing technologies, why? Two things comes up in the said situation, First is that people should be aware and be concerned that our planet is rapidly undergoing a climate change and experiencing a devastating works by humans. As a responsible human, we should use an idea to reduce the negative effects that can harm the environment. Two, the two universities are engaged with the use of high technology so why could they not make use of the facilities since they are have a good one in their department. This can be considered an ethical issue. It is ironic for them if they just develop and promote the use of these technologies but cannot use it as an advantage in the process of communication. The committee must adapt because they are the ones who are embracing the new technologies. As I mentioned in the first question, there is an advantage in adapting it. Let us think that today there are resume that are submitted online and messages, having an interview is also possible if and only if it has a good quality of video conferencing. The committee could gain a good and clear impression of Alice even she is not physically present.

Blog Entry #4 - Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Dilemma 6

How would you proceed?

Since I am sure that the software will only be used to obtain e-mail addresses for people who are most especially in a third world countries, then I can say that there is no wrong thing in doing that which would be breaking the UK law. Its only gathering of e-mail addresses in which I am sure of it that there will be a privacy for the e-mail address information because it will just be used for the spam advertising to send those commercial ventures.

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

I consider it to be not ethical because of the fact that they would just gather those e-mail addresses in order to spam their advertisements without permission by the e-mail users. It is as well as a legal thing because they don’t do anything for the users to break their own privacy in the e-mail information.

In that case that you are not entirely happy with the possible ethical aspects of this venture (but you are satisfied that you will not be breaking UK law), would you still be willing to participate if the level of remuneration is sufficient?

Yes. Because in other way it is a legal thing to do because we are not breaking the rules of UK and if the level of remuneration is sufficient for me to or participate in the venture then I would do so.

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

If I really need the money then I would grab the opportunity but as to my ethical reservation is concerned then I must follow what is right and talk to them what they are doing is not ethical thing.

Let us suppose that you do become involved in this undertaking but that you subsequently find that the software that you helped to develop is not only being used to locate e-mail addresses that are normally based outside the UK, but in addition e-mail addresses within the UK, and these are being sold on to companies who specialize in spam advertising?

If this kind of situation takes place then I would break away myself from the project, because of the reason that I can’t get myself involved in a heinous act that would bring to the authorities and even cost my schooling as well.

Does this compromise your legal position?

I think it would barely compromise my legal position for the reason that I don’t want to violate any laws within the UK or outside the UK. Thus, my parting from the project team is reasonable. 

Ethical Dilemma 7

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

The current change impact on older people towards these computer technologies is that they can hardly adjust to it and it is also hard to teach them because of their growing age and some of them really find difficulties in having poor eyesight as well as in their hearing. In their part, they need to be assisted by younger once in order to for them to adopt the new technology trends.

To what extent are they becoming increasingly isolated?

For me, the aspects make them isolated are the facts that some of the older people are poor literally as well as in their eyesight and hearing, some of them don’t understand easily the instructions given to them if we teach them. Because of these reasons, I can say that they are becoming increasingly isolated. But there are some older people really have interests in learning the computer based technologies and these old people are merely in middle class state of living.

Is direct personal contact being gradually eroded?

No. Because even though a person with a high skilled skills in using computer based technologies are also having personal contact and it is not gradually eroded nowadays. Technologies are just made to be helpful for everyone who was at far destinations as a way for making communication.

 

Perhaps discuss these issues with older person that you know, such as a family member. Identify the issues.

Unfortunately, we haven’t discussed these issues with the older people, but we, as a group, we discussed what they might say about these issues and we identified some issues that they probably might tell to us. The common issues that we have shared are the things that old people do long time ago when they are at their time such as, sending snail mails for long distanced communication and etc.  

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 has ensued?

We thought that not all of the old people have kept up with the fast approaching computer-based technologies. Though there were also who have caught up with the technology but did not merely embraced it.  

Blog Entry #3 - Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Dilemma 4

In the case of Alice who was writing a textbook which she wishes to include in her book the material from various sources-particularly a few key diagrams that have previously been published in other book, publishers would really require significant fees to be paid to them if material from one of their book is reproduced elsewhere.

In this example, Alice should always obtain written permission from the appropriate rights holder for the reproduction of any proprietary. Now the author of the book which she wants to refer her diagram is dead. Specific companies are tracked down by her. This company currently own the rights to the books from which she wishes to reproduce diagrams from these works.

The reproduction right is perhaps the most important right granted by the Copyright Act. Under this right, no one other than the copyright owner may make any reproductions or copies of the work. The company has the right to ask significant amounts of money to be paid in relation to the reproduction of material from an old book- particularly when they know that this will not be passed on the author, or their estate. But it is very unreasonable. If we would try to think about it deeper, she have doesn’t need to pay for a huge amount to the company if it doesn’t have any approval from the author or the state to publish the same copy of material. In our own opinion, it is unethical to ask for a significant amount to a girl who actually will use the diagram of the said old books. Besides, if the Alice would pay, the author would have to benefits from what she had paid since the author of it is dead. The only person who would have the money will be the publisher.

For the figure number 2, first we have to define plagiarism. Plagiarism is using someone else's work without giving proper credit - a failure to cite adequately. Alice should pay the person who created the original work, and ask for permission to reuse the diagram. In what Alice done, it is called Paraphrase plagiarism which means changing some of the words and grammar but leaving most of the original text the same as of the diagram she uses.

The same story for software, this consideration should also apply for this product. One should not easily take another’s code for them to use the software. It is clearly that it is not permissible to do that. If you could not afford for it, don’t use it. If you want it, you buy it. But clearly, in present, a lot of illegal copies are being shared to people for free. This is unfair and should be stopped.

Ethical Dilemma 5


In our own opinion, if we are one of the personnel or employee in a company that develops websites and also had our company obtained a contract for the law enforcement agency that deals with any violence to act in line with so called “honeypot”, we would consider the following decisions: 

For all we know, Honeypots turn the tables for Hackers and computer security experts. While in the classical field of computer security, a computer should be as secure as possible, in the realm of Honeypots the security holes are opened on purpose. In other words Honeypots welcome Hacker and other threats. The purpose of a Honeypot is to detect and learn from attacks and use that information to improve security. A network administrator obtains first-hand information about the current threats on his network. Undiscovered security holes can be protected gained by the information from a Honeypot. For some our customers, they had some private information to be kept and not to shown in public and if we are bundled a contract with the law enforcement agency, We would rather choose not to view all of

the contents of the project we made for our clients since we also protect their privacy and if we find out that there are violence against the project, we will report immediately to the law enforcement to enable them to observe.

We felt encroached to our company for some reason that there was law enforcer that monitors our work. It also awkward that it is observed every time we did a work but in the other hand we are glad that there some kind of thing like that so that some who will commit violent actions can be stop or lowered since it is a monitored project. For us, the internet has a very wide to reach, wider than the real world we know that even law enforcer cannot monitored it all. We can say that if the law enforcer wants to monitored all of the chat rooms and any other website content, they will require a very large information in the web so that it can be all monitored and also a high budget system.

Blog Entry #2 - Case Study 2

Can she continue with the evaluation?

• She must not continue to evaluate her current work with Company A.

If she cannot continue with the evaluation how does she inform Company A of the patent violation?

• As an HCI consultant with an extensive experience in evaluating web sites and graphical user interfaces (GUI), she should tell the Company A that the software that she is to evaluate contains a GUI which has been used by other company (without mentioning/telling the name of Company B to avoid violation to her obligation with this company) which has been already patented .This will actually cause conflict in future if they would insist to use this GUI which is similar to other. She should rather suggest the Company A for some changes to avoid this conflict.

 Does she have an obligation to let company B know Company A has copied their GUI?

• Under her contractual arrangements she is not allowed to discuss the evaluation of a product with anyone outside the contract. She have no obligation to let company B know that company A has copied their GUI. But if Company A insists to use the same GUI as the Company B she should let the Company B know about this problem to take legal actions regarding with this problem.

We have identified the values and ideals to this case study moreover, under the said values and ideals are the standard conduct should be applied and these are the following:

4.3.1 Priorities: I must place the interests of the community above those of personal or sectional interests.

4.5.5 I must advise my client or employer of any potential conflicts of interest between my assignment and legal or other accepted community requirements

4.3.2 Competence: I must work competently and diligently for my clients and employers. 

           

4.6.7 I must go beyond my brief, if necessary, in order to act professionally.

4.3.3 Honesty: I must be honest in my representations of skills, knowledge, services and products. 

4.7.1 I must not knowingly mislead a client or potential client as to the suitability of a product or service.

4.7.3 I must give opinions which are as far as possible unbiased and objective.

Blog Entry #2 - Case Study 1

          Regarding to the problem of Diane; that she is in a problem choosing what will be the most important thing to do in her conflicts about of what she believes for the better of the company and also the decision of the company that all the personnel agreed to have less security for database management system. All we can say in this problem, based from the code of ethics for IT Professionalism of Australian Computer Society (ACS), in a certain point, Diane must follow their decision as her clients because it was stated at the ACS Code of Ethics Section 4.8.2 “I must consider and respect people's privacy which might be affected by my work.” Moreover, from the values and ideals of the code of ethics 4.3.1 Priorities, it is stated there “I must place the interests of the community above those of personal or sectional interests.” So it means that whatever their decision that they will make, we will just obey from them. But in the other hand, we will pursue our opinion and suggestion for the better of the company we are working into because it was stated at Article 4.3.4 “I must strive to enhance the quality of life of those affected by my work.” and also on Article 4.5.2 that “I must endeavor to preserve the integrity and security of the information of others.” which means, we will create a system that will be used not only for the innovation of the company, but also it will increase the rate of security for the company and if they will not change their minds, It We will bid for a lower price for the said improvement with a high security database management system not only for our sake but also for the improvement and security of their company toward bad elements throughout the on-line world. In that, In this case, we must know how to value our customer or clients and give them our very best quality in work.

Australian Computer Society - Mission, Vision & Code of Ethics

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the recognised association for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the ICT industry. A member of theAustralian Council of Professions, the ACS is the public voice of the ICT profession and the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT industry, with a commitment to the wider community to ensure the beneficial use of ICT.

The society was founded in 1966. Its objectives are to further the study, science and application of Information Technology; promote, develop and monitor competence in the practice of ICT by people and organisations; maintain and promote a Code of Ethics for members of the Society; define and promote standards of knowledge of ICT for members, promote the formulation of effective policies on ICT and related matters; extend the knowledge and understanding of ICT in the community; promote the benefits of membership of the Society and promote the benefits of employing members of the Society.

ACS members work in all areas of business and industry, government and academia, and are qualified and experienced ICT professionals committed to the Society's Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Practice. ACS membership denotes a commitment to professionalism.

Mission

To advance professional excellence in information technology.

Principal Object

To promote the development of Australian information and communications technology resources.

Secondary Objects

• To advance professional excellence in information and communications technology.
• To further the study, science and application of information and communications technology.
• To promote, develop and monitor competence in the practice of information and communications technology by persons and organizations.
• To define and promote the maintenance of standards of knowledge of information and communications technology for members.
• To promote the formulation of effective policies on information and communications technology and related matters.
• To extend the knowledge and understanding of information and communications technology in the community.
• To maintain and promote the observance of a code of ethics for members of the Society.

The Code of Ethics – part of the ACS’ Constitution

As an ACS member you must uphold and advance the honour, dignity and effectiveness of being a professional. This entails, in addition to being a good citizen and acting within the law, your adherence to the following ACS values:

1. The Primacy of the Public Interest
You will place the interests of the public above those of personal, business or sectional interests.

2. The Enhancement of Quality of Life
You will strive to enhance the quality of life of those affected by your work.

3. Honesty
You will be honest in your representation of skills, knowledge, services and products.

4. Competence
You will work competently and diligently for your stakeholders.

5. Professional Development
You will enhance your own professional development, and that of your colleagues and staff.

6. Professionalism
You will enhance the integrity of the ACS and the respect of its members for each other.

This Code applies to all ACS members regardless of their role or specific area of expertise in the ICT industry.

1.  The Code of Conduct  
These guidelines are not exhaustive and should not be read as a complete definition of acceptable professional conduct in all practical situations. Their intention is to illustrate what constitutes ethical and professional conduct under the Code of Ethics. You are expected to take into account the spirit of the Code in order to resolve ambiguous or contentious issues concerning professional conduct. The ACS will always try to help you to resolve ethical dilemmas whenever they present themselves, and a confidential consultation can be organised if you ever find yourself in a difficult position.


2.   The Primacy of the Public Interest
In the context of the Code of Ethics, the public interest takes precedence over personal, private and sectional interests, and any conflicts should be resolved in favour of the public interest. In your work, you should safeguard the interests of your immediate stakeholders, provided that these interests do not conflict with the duty and loyalty you owe to the public. The public interest is taken to include matters of public health, safety and the environment.
In accordance with this value you will:

1. identify those potentially impacted by your work and explicitly consider their interests;
2. raise with stakeholders any potential conflicts between your professional activity and legal or other accepted public requirements;
3. advise your stakeholders as soon as possible of any conflicts of interest or conscientious objections that you have;
4. take into consideration the fact that your profession traverses many other professions, and has implications for other social systems and organisations;
5. endeavour to preserve the integrity, security, continuity and utility of ICT;
6. respect the intellectual property of others; and
7. endeavour to preserve the confidentiality and privacy of the information of others.

4.2.3    The Enhancement of Quality of Life
The development of ICT has had a significant impact on society and our way of life.  Whilst this impact has been beneficial to a very great extent, like all technologies, ICT has also had some negative effects, and will continue to do so.  An ethical approach to your work will help to recognise and minimise these adverse effects.  You should promote equal access to the benefits of ICT by all members of society.
In accordance with this value you will:

1. recognise, in your work, the role that ICT can play to enhance the quality of life of people, particularly the disadvantaged or those with disabilities;
2. protect and promote the health and safety of those affected by your work;
3. understand, and give due regard to, the perceptions of those affected by your work; and
4. attempt to increase the feelings of personal satisfaction, competence, and control of those affected by your work.

3. Honesty 

Do not breach public trust in the profession or the specific trust of your stakeholders.  Observance of utmost honesty and integrity must underlie all your professional decisions and actions.  Circumstances will undoubtedly arise during the course of your professional career where it may appear to be beneficial for you to be deceptive in some way. This type of behaviour is not acceptable professional conduct.
In accordance with this value you will:

1. reject, and will not make, any offer of bribery or inducement;
2. not knowingly mislead a client or potential client as to the suitability of a product or service;
3. distinguish between your professional and personal opinions and advice;
4. give realistic estimates for projects under your control;
5. qualify professional opinions which you know are based on limited knowledge or experience;
6. give credit for work done by others where credit is due; and
7. not attempt to enhance your own reputation at the expense of another person’s reputation.

4.  Competence 

Accept only such work as you believe you are competent to perform, and do not hesitate to obtain additional expertise from appropriately qualified individuals where advisable. You should always be aware of your own limitations and not knowingly imply that you have competence you do not possess.  This is distinct from accepting a task of which the successful completion requires expertise additional to your own.  You cannot possibly be knowledgeable on all facets of ICT but you should be able to recognise when you need additional expertise and information.
In accordance with this value you will:

1. endeavour to provide products and services which match the operational and financial needs of your stakeholders;
2. not misrepresent your skills or knowledge;
3. make yourself aware of relevant standards and legislation, and act accordingly;
4. respect and protect your stakeholders' proprietary interests;
5. advise your stakeholders when you believe a proposed project, product or service is not in their best interest;
6. accept responsibility for your work; and
7. respect, and seek when necessary, the professional expertise of colleagues in their areas of competence.

6.   Professional Development
Keep yourself informed of such new technologies, practices and standards as are relevant to your work.  Others will expect you to provide special skills and advice; and in order to do so, you must keep your knowledge up-to-date. You should encourage your colleagues and staff to do the same.   Take action to ensure that your hard-won knowledge and experience are passed on in such a way that the recipients not only improve their own effectiveness in their present work but also become keen to advance their capabilities and take on additional responsibilities.
In accordance with this value you will:

1. continue to upgrade your knowledge and skills;
2. increase your awareness of issues affecting the profession and its relationship with the public;
3. encourage your colleagues, staff and students to continue their own professional development; and
4. support education, training and professional development in ICT that reflects the diverse needs of individual professionals and their various career paths.

7.   Professionalism
The ICT industry is relatively new and characterised by rapid change. It has not had the opportunity to evolve over many decades and acquire its own standards and legislation.  The ACS is endeavouring to improve public confidence in the ICT industry.  It is imperative that professional grade members of the ACS maintain professional standards that improve and enhance the industry's image, especially in the workplace.
All people have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. Discrimination is unprofessional behaviour, as is any form of harassment. Members should be aware that the ACS can help them resolve ethical dilemmas. It can also provide support for taking appropriate action, including whistle-blowing, if you discover an ACS member or employer engaging in unethical behaviour.
In accordance with this value you will:

1. take a calm, objective, informed and knowledgeable stance on your professional work, complementing your enthusiasm and engagement in it;
2. take appropriate action against members who engage in behaviour contrary to the Code of Ethics;
3. confront attempts to limit diversity in the workplace, and ensure that opportunities for employment, advancement, remuneration and other working conditions are based on the actual skills and performance of employees, free of stereotypes and prejudices;
4. note that the corporate actions of the ACS are subject to this Code, and you should do whatever you can to ensure that the ACS and its officer bearers and staff meet this obligation;
5. neither require, nor attempt to influence, any person to take any action which would involve a breach of the Code of Ethics;
6. refrain from any conduct or action in your professional role which may tarnish the image of the profession or detract from the good name of the ACS;
7. endeavour to extend public knowledge and understanding of ICT;
8. co-operate in advancing ICT by communication with other professionals, students and the public; and
9. have pride in your profession, and protect and promote professionalism and trustworthiness in ICT.