Ethical Issues Arising from Use of ICT Technologies

Running head: ETHICAL ISSUES FROM ICT
Ethical Issues Arising from Use of ICT Technologies
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ETHICAL ISSUES FROM ICT
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................2
2. Identification of Ethical Values..........................................................................................................2
3. Analysis of Ethical Issues with Ethical Theories Framework..............................................................3
4. Discussion on Findings.......................................................................................................................3
5. Conclusion.........................................................................................................................................4
6. References.........................................................................................................................................5

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ETHICAL ISSUES FROM ICT
1. Introduction
The ICT or information and communications is the subset of information technology, which
stresses on the integration of computers, required enterprise software, unified communications,
storage, audio visual systems and middleware for accessing, storing, transmitting and finally
manipulating the confidential information [5]. There are various ethical issues related to this
particular technology of information and communications technology. The following report outlines
a brief discussion on the case study of a software development company. This particular company
has produced a new software package for incorporating the new tax laws as well as figure tax for
smaller businesses and individuals. The president is aware of the fact that this software has bugs and
due to this, various issues has occurred and the users were penalized by the Australian Tax Officer.
The ethical issues will be identified and analyzed with ethical theories framework.
2. Identification of Ethical Values
The president of the software development company knows that the software has bugs and
in spite of knowing this fact has launched the software package [9]. When this organization has
shipped the program CD, the disclaimer of responsibility is being included in it for the resulting
errors from the utilization of this program. This organization has the expectation that it would be
receiving several complaints, suggestions or queries for better modification and then they would
make the changes and make the updated, improved and debugged versions. The respective
president has argued that this is the general industry policies and the person, who would be buying
the 1.0 version of this program, would be taking necessary precautions [2]. Due to the presence of
bugs, various users have filed the incorrect tax returns and then were fined by this ATO or Australian
Tax Office.
The two distinct ethical issues identified in this particular scenario are as follows:
i) President Allowing Software with Bugs: The first and the foremost ethical issue that is
being identified in this particular case study is that the president even after knowing the fact the
new software package consists of bugs, have allowed to produce this particular software for the
users of that company [6]. This is extremely unethical since, it would be hampering the image of the
organization.
ii) Thinking only of Market Share: The specific software package that has been produced by
this software development organization is incorporating the new tax laws as well as figure taxes. This
refers to the fact that the software is related to laws and taxes. It is absolutely unethical and illegal