Ethical Theories and Its Application on Equifax

This paper discusses the data breaching case at Equifax and analyzes it through various ethical theories. It evaluates the ethical level of the breaching and suggests resolutions for the ethical dilemma.

Running head: ETHICAL THEORIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON EQUIFAX
ETHICAL THEORIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON EQUIFAX
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ETHICAL THEORIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON EQUIFAX
Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................2
Facts:.....................................................................................................................................2
Ethical Analysis:....................................................................................................................2
Ethical Dilemma Resolutions:...........................................................................................4
Personal Ethical Philosophy:.............................................................................................5
Conclusion:............................................................................................................................6
References.............................................................................................................................7

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ETHICAL THEORIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON EQUIFAX
Introduction
With the growing use of information technology there comes a concern about the use
of the cyber security. In recent time, it has been seen that the breaching of the data is
happening (Karunakara et al., 2018). The use of the cyber security and the cyber space need
some ethical concerns to be maintained. The paper will discuss the data breaching case at
Equifax. This incident is analysed through the use of various ethical theories and ideas. After
the analysis ethical level of this breaching can be evaluated,
Facts:
Equifax is a credit reporting company in USA. Recently, the organization has
admitted that from the organization database the breaching of the data and information
regarding 145.5 million USA citizen occur. The reason of the breaching of data is not known
(Mikhed & Vogan, 2018). However, the breaching of the data puts a negative impact on the
company and impose a threats of the US citizens.
Ethical Analysis:
The analysis of the situation can be evaluated through the ethical perspective of different
philosophers.
Aristotle’s ethical perspective: This perspective is also known as Nicomachean Ethics.
The base of this ethics are naturalism and self-realization (Mikhed & Vogan, 2018).
According to this perspective, something can be regarded as good if the end result of that
system or action is good. Similarly, the right action is the action which results good outcome.
The analysis of the Equifax defines that the consequences of the data breaching does not
give positive result to the millions of US citizens. Moreover, the breaching of data poses a
threat for the people (Mikhed & Vogan, 2018). Considering all these factors it can be said

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ETHICAL THEORIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON EQUIFAX
that breaching of data is not desirable condition and there is lack of concern involved in the
whole process.
Locke’s ethics: According to the Locke’s ethics, true happiness is associated with the
good which is associated with pleasure (Wang & Johnson, 2018). This theory also supports
materialism. According to this theory the action can be regarded as good work if the
consequences of the work gives happiness to the people.
The breaching of the data from Equifax database does not bring any positivity for the
millions of US citizen whose data have been breached (Vemprala & Dietrich, 2019).
Considering all these factors, it can be said that the breaching of data is not ethical according
to the Locke’s ethics.
Ethics from Mill’s perspective: The ethical perspective of Mill develops the concept of
Utilitarianism. According to the theory of Utilitarianism, the act or the rule can be good if its
consequences bring greater happiness for the most of the people (Vasiu & Vasiu, 2018).
There are two types of Utilitarianism (Marcus, 2018). Act Utilitarianism and rule
Utilitarianism.
The breaching of data at Equifax does not bring the happiness for the people whose data
have been breached. From this context, it can be said that the breaching of data at Equifax is
not ethical.
Kantian ethics: Kantian ethics refers to the act of deontology in the theory of ethics.
According to this theory the ethical attribute does not depend on the consequence of the
action, however, the action itself represent the rightness of the act.
Breaching of the data cannot be regarded as ethical as the breaching supports the access of
the personal data. The access of the personal data by other people is not desirable. The act
itself can be considered as unethical

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ETHICAL THEORIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON EQUIFAX
Ethical Dilemma Resolutions:
The ethical dilemma can be faced in this data breaching case. The reason of the data
breaching is not known yet (Mikhed & Vogan, 2018). However, the responsibility of this
incident goes to Equifax. Blanchard and Peale method can be applicable in this case.
Blanchard and Peale method imposes three steps for identifying the ethical attribute
associated with the act (Mahmoodi et al., 2018). These steps are important for the ethical
decision making during the ethical dilemma. These three steps are-
Determination of whether an action is legal or not: The first thing that has to be
concerned about if the work or the action taken is legal or not. The ethical action should abide
by the laws and regulations of the authorities (Ayala, 2018). In case, if the decision maker
finds that the action is not legal then he or she may not choose to proceed with the action.
In the case of breaching of data, the organization should take necessary steps to mitigate
the negative consequences. These steps can be taken effectively through the proper
investigation and implementation of the advanced technology (Vemprala & Dietrich, 2019).
Accessing of the private and confidential information of the people is not desirable as it is not
legal.
Determination of the balance in action: This is the second step to evaluate an ethical
dilemma. In this step the balance in the action or the work is needed to be evaluated. In some
cases, it has been seen that the result of the action is becoming advantage for some of the
people (Deshpande, Nair & Shah, 2017). Apart from that most of the people are suffering
from the consequences from the action. This type of action can be regarded as unethical act.
The breaching of data from Equifax can be beneficial for only small group of people who
are willing to use those data for unlawful purpose (Zou et al.,2018). Most of the people are

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ETHICAL THEORIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON EQUIFAX
affected badly through the data breaching of Equifax In this case, the lack of balance can be
noticed.
The effect of the action on that particular person: The ethical dilemma can be dependent
on the effect of consequences on the particular person (Mikhed & Vogan, 2018). In case, if
the consequence of the action has negative effect on the person, it can be said that work or
action is not right.
The breaching of data affects the people in a negative way. From that situation it can be
said that the effect of data breaching does not have the positive consequences on the common
people.
Personal Ethical Philosophy:
The purpose of applying the ethical practices and theories can make the action in the
process justified and relevant. From my understanding the ethical relevance is important as it
will help the decision makers to take the right decisions in the ethical dilemma.
The ethical dilemma and the attribute of the level of ethical approach can be determined
through various ethical theories. From the overall discussion it can be said that a task can be
identified as ethical if the consequences of the action on the people (Xie, 2018). There are
several ethical theories those can be helpful to evaluate the ethical attributes from the
different perspectives. Some of the identified ethical theories are- act of deontology, social
contract theory, and Kantian ethics.
While using the technology some of issues can be appeared. These issues sometimes can
be regarded as ethical dilemma. In order to dissolve these ethical dilemmas, these ethical
theories can be applicable.
From the personal point of view, I can say that maintain ethics is essential for the proper
functioning of the organization. The ethical act will help to maintain the balance in the

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ETHICAL THEORIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON EQUIFAX
organization (Mikhed & Vogan, 2018). Apart from that all the stakeholders associated with
the organization will be equally benefitted from the application of the ethics in the
organization.
The breaching of data at Equifax causes greater loss to the people. The data stored at the
database of Equifax are related to the organization and the customers of this organization.
These data and information stored in the system are confidential and sensitive in nature (Zou
& Schaub, 2018). It is not desirable for to get the access of the data by other people
(Karunakaran et al.,2018). From this point of view it can be said that the breaching of the data
is an unethical practice and the organization has to take up the steps to prevent the breaching
of the data.
Conclusion:
The discussion is regarding the use of ethical theories to analysis the situation during the
ethical dilemma. In this context, the selected situation is the breaching of data at Equifax.
The consequence of the data breaching has been described in this context. Apart from that the
analysis of the situation is done on the basis of the consequences and the situation of this
ethical dilemma. Thee analysis of the situation has been done through the use of different
ethical theories. From the analysis of the situation it can be said that the breaching of the data
is not ethical on the basis of the ethical theories and ethical framework. The most effected
stakeholder in this situation are the people whose data were stored at the database of Equifax.
The breached data and information can be misused by the other people. This can impose
serious threats to the people. The organization is needed to take necessary actions in order to
mitigate the negative effect of the data breaching and the implementation of the technology is
needed to be done in the organization so that this type of situation does not happen in future.

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ETHICAL THEORIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON EQUIFAX
References
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Data Privacy & Security–Detection, Analysis and Mitigation Strategies. Under
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Karunakaran, S., Thomas, K., Bursztein, E., & Comanescu, O. (2018). Data breaches: user
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Mikhed, V., & Vogan, M. (2018). How data breaches affect consumer credit. Journal of
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