Evaluation on IT Ethics: Analysis of NSA Surveillance and Edward Snowden's Disclosure

Running head: EVALUATION ON IT ETHICS
EVALUATION ON IT ETHICS
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Author Note:

1Ethical theory (Part-2)Ethical theory (Part-2)
ACS Code of Professional Conduct (Part-1)
Answer to Question 1: The action in this case study that is raising an ethical issue in the
above stated scenario is the secret surveillance by National Security Agency (NSA) using
three internet programs, named as Tempora, PRISM and XKeyscore. Again, the collection
and interception of ‘metadata’ from telephonic conversations in the United States and Europe
also raises an ethical matter of contention.
Answer to Question 2: The action of secret congregation of public data is highly unethical as
it provokes the privacy of an individual without any notice to the victim.
Answer to Question 3: The National Security Agency (NSA) is a part of U.S. government
agencies. Hence, U.S. government is primarily held responsible for such unethical action. To
the view of NSA, Mr Snowden has violated the ACS codes of professional conduct by
disagreeing to competence and share the leak of reality.
Answer to Question 4: The “most significant leak” of NSA’s internal hidden monitoring on
U.S and Europe citizens is the biggest leak in U.S. history. Former employee of NSA,
Edward Snowden reported/leaked the security material. However, he is deeply criticized by
some as a dissident and a “traitor”.
Answer to Question 5: Due to the loss of confidentiality of NSA, the ethical consideration of
Edward Snowden is debatable to the public. Some critics have appointed him as a traitor and
a dissident. His image has changed upside down in no time. While, there are also defenders
who identify his work as a symbol of heroism and patriotism. To the U.S. government, the
disclosure has shown the confidential practices by the officials that needs to be addressed.
Answer to Question 6: The values of ACS Code consists of –
1. Primacy of Public Interest

2Ethical theory (Part-2)Ethical theory (Part-2)
2. The enhancement of quality of life
3. Honesty
4. Competence
5. Professional Development
6. Professionalism
In the above discussed scenario, the identified value is the primacy of public interest,
professionalism and competence.
Answer to Question 7: The identified scenario are in respect to both the NSA and Edward
Snowden. To NSA, the secrecy and confidentiality of theft of public data has supported the
fact that the values like “Primacy of the Public Interest” has been violated. Also it has not
influenced any individual in a good deed, thus, violating Professionalism. Also, NSA has not
been authentic in honesty to the public. The subject of honesty can also be added in this
justification in maintenance of moral standards.
With respect to the features of Mr Edward Snowden, he has shared the confidentiality
of their agency which has questioned his state of “Competence”. However, the impacts are
approvable in hope for a better change in the future.
Ethical theory (Part-2)
Answer to Question 8: According to the journal by Mill (2016), the theory of utilitarianism
in respect to ethics is the moral of consequentialism. It determines the fact of right from
wrong while the focus is centred on outcomes.
In the above case, it is noticed that a former member of NSA, Edward Snowden has
revealed information about the hidden monitoring of NSA on citizens of Europe and U.S.
over internet and telephonic communication systems. The report shows the nature of