Applying Ethical Theory in Cybercrime

CCSCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND MATHS, CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY
Title of your news/case study
Assignment 4: Applying Ethical Theory
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Word Count:

Title of news/case study
Task
Choose one of the media articles or case studies from the following list:
1. https://epic.org/enforce-the-order/
2. https://www.whitehouse.gov/ai/
3. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-03-19/facebook-to-blame-for-
christchurch-live-video-but-so-are-we/10911238
4. https://www.techworld.com.au/slideshow/600945/5-active-mobile-threats-
spoofing-enterprise-apps/
5. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/internet-ethics/resources/data-collection-
harvesting-personalities-online/
 Write an essay based on your argument visualisation created in Assessment 3
and the media article or case study you selected in Assessment 3. Use the title of
the article/case study provided in interact 2 as the title of your essay, so that the
lecturer knows which article you are analysing.
 Undertake further research about your chosen case, to assist you in analysing
and discussing it in your essay.
 Analyse the article/case study from the perspective of four classical ethical
theories including utilitarianism, deontology, contract, and virtue. Your essay
should present well-reasoned arguments for your assessments and
recommendations.
 You should not introduce new arguments in your essay that were not contained in
your argument visualisation, and your essay should contain all of the arguments
contained in your visualisation.
 Write an overall conclusion that justifies your recommendations made in your
essay.
 Include a Reference list at the end of your work, in the correct APA referencing
style, corresponding to in-text citations. The word limit for the essay is 1000
words +/-10%. Headings, citations and references do not count towards the word
limit, but quotations do.
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Title of news/case study
1. Introduction
Cybercrime is associated with computers and networks. It has been the most
growing ethical issue in the world. Cybercrime involves a computer which is used
as a tool to access private information of the victims (Saad et al., 2016). He uses
computer as a medium to gain a person’s personal data and information which
can make them pay a heavy price. The effect of cybercrime can be disastrous
and upsetting.
2. Utilitarianism Theory
Utilitarianism is the ability of a person to guess what will be the result of any
action, whether negative or positive. Cybercrime has been predicted to be
disastrous and pragmatic. The act of punishment can help in easing the issue of
cyber threats. As per the theory of Utilitarianism, all the outcomes that are likely
are taken into consideration. This ensures the fact that proper analysis of the
expected outcomes are considered. Hence proper decision making can be made.
Out of the choices that are predicted, the deeds are judged as per the good and
bad results that are achieved. In the above stated case the outcomes that are
expected due to the presence of the cyber security is that the terminology that
after punishing the suspect, it does not act as a remedy and the issue will keep
on occurring. The issues that are faced due to the challenges that are faced due
to the cybercrime, it gets affected but the accuser does not assure that he will
not perform the same problem again. Hence punishing the accuser will not
provide any good to the system.
3. Deontology Theory
Deontology suggests the people to honestly indulge in their duties and
responsibility. There are certain duties that is needed to be obliged before
punishing the cyber criminals. It suggests to replace punishment from penalty in
order to get positive outcomes. Rights are the most important theory that is
practiced by the society. The rights to cyber security and cyberspace must be
given. The concept of cyber security will help in bestowing the right to protect
one’s private information and personal computers. Deontology is a normative
ethical theory. Morality of the action is supposedly based on the functional
process of the series of rules. Deontology is termed as a rule that is set as per
the predefined set of rules and policies that are to be concerned regarding the
checklist of rules that are present for a particular task. As the predefined set of
rules, the main advantage that is received includes the fact that the time that is
required for taking decision regarding the ethical dilemma is the least. As per the
chosen case and the predefined rules of cyber security issue this process is
condemned to be unethical.
4. Virtue Theory
Virtues helps in the complex society to identify a person’s characteristics. The
management of cyber risk will help in gaining the trust of organizations and
citizen. As per the theory of virtue ethics the main aspect that is taken into
consideration includes the fact that the character of a person is considered to be
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