Ethical Implications of Internet of Things

This report discusses the ethical implications of the growing trends of Internet of Things regarding its safety and security. It analyzes the scenario using utilitarianism theory, deontology theory, social contract theory, and character-based theory. It also considers the ACS codes of ethics for the analysis.

Running head: INTERNET OF THINGS
Internet of Things
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note:

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Executive Summary
The main objective of the report is to know about the ethical implications of the growing
trends of Internet of Things regarding its safety and security. This particular technology
eventually includes the extension of Internet connectivity beyond the standard devices like
smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktops to any of the traditional or non-internet enabled
physical device and regular object. After getting implanted with the respective technology, all
of these physical devices could easily communicate as well as interact on the Internet
connection and these could be remotely checked and managed. In this report, four ethical
approaches are undertaken, which are utilitarianism theory, deontology theory, social contract
theory and character based theory. After properly analysing the scenario, it is seen that the
growing trends of IoT are safe and secured and are ethical in nature. Moreover, ACS codes of
ethics are also taken into consideration for such analysis.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................3
2. Discussion..............................................................................................................................3
2.1 Ethical analysis on Internet of Things Growing Trends..................................................3
2.1.1 Utilitarianism Theory................................................................................................4
2.1.2 Deontology Theory...................................................................................................5
2.1.3 Social Contract Theory.............................................................................................6
2.1.4 Character Based Theory............................................................................................6
2.1.5 ACS Code of Ethics..................................................................................................7
3. Conclusion..............................................................................................................................9
References................................................................................................................................10

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1. Introduction
IoT or internet of things could be stated as one of most the significant device network,
home appliances as well as vehicles, which eventually comprise of electronics, software,
actuators as well as connectivity that eventually enables the things for connecting, interacting
as well as exchanging of data (Gubbi et al., 2013). These types of embedded systems and
machine learning could be converged for bringing better efficiency in the technology (Zanella
et al., 2014). The following report outlines a brief discussion on the several implications of a
growing trend of interconnectivities for both security and safety. Four ethical philosophies
would be described with an Australian Code of Ethics.
2. Discussion
2.1 Ethical analysis on Internet of Things Growing Trends
The ethical analysis can be referred to as one of the major systematic approach for
figuring out the correct and moral decision within any specific situation. After properly
analysing that situation logically, the effective as well as moral options or alternatives are
being identified easily (Da Xu, He & Li, 2014). There are some of the basic principles of
ethical analysis that encourage the respective individual in forming a correct picture of the
situation and then think through the effects of decisions, even before they are executed. The
use of power, property rights, and privacy of rights, honesty and safety are being observed to
complete a high quality ethical analysis by simple gathering of relevant information and
making sure that every fact is accurate and genuine (Mukhopadhyay & Suryadevara, 2014).
The ethical analysis of the major implications of the growing trend of interconnectivity in IoT
for safety and security could be easily done with the help of four ethical philosophies of the
utilitarianism theory, deontology theory, social contract and finally character based theory.

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Mover, ACS codes of ethics are also effective in this scenario. The details of the above
discussion is provided below:
2.1.1 Utilitarianism Theory
The first and the foremost ethical theory, which determines correct from incorrect by
simply focusing on the results is termed as utilitarianism theory (Perera et al., 2014). This
particular theory eventually holds that the better ethical choice can only be referred to that
particular theory, which would subsequently produce the better effectiveness and utility to the
users in a greater number. This utilitarianism theory is the only specific moral framework,
which could be easily utilized for the purpose of justifying any type of issues or forces. It is
even termed as one of the most common and effective approach towards moral reasoning that
is being utilized within business for the method, by which it could account for both
advantages and costs (Al-Fuqaha et al., 2015). It is the type of philosophical as well as ethical
theory, which states that only the best action, which could maximize the utility for the users
and that produces the better well being of the greatest number of people is referred to as a
utility action. It is the subsequent and the most important version of the theory of
consequentialism that refers that each and every consequence of the action can be stated
within the standard of correct as well as incorrect (Stankovic, 2014). Unlike in the other
forms of this consequentialism theory like altruism and egoism, the theory of utilitarianism
eventually considers the major interests of each and every human being equally.
The major proponents of this utilitarianism have subsequently disagreed on several
number of points like whether these actions must be selected on the basis of their like results
or whether the users must conform to those specific rules, which are maximizing the utilities
(Höller et al., 2014). A minimum utility is also possible according to this particular theory.
For Internet of Things, this particular theory states that it is ethical as the growing trends are
providing utility to the society. There are several groups of devices, where initial utilization

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of this technology could be easily undertaken without any type of complexity. Being a system
of several inter linked computing devices, objects, people and digital machines, there is an
ability of transferring relevant and accurate data over the network without even needing
interaction of human to computer or human to human (Rifkin, 2014). Hence, it is ethical in
nature.
2.1.2 Deontology Theory
The second type of theory that would be effective for ethical analysis of Internet of
Things is deontology theory. This particular theory focuses on the correctness and
incorrectness of actions by opposing rightness as well as wrongness of each and every
consequence of the action (Whitmore, Agarwal & Da Xu, 2015). The deontological ethics
could be termed as the specific normative ethical theory, which states that the morality as
well as effectiveness of any specific action must be based on the major consequences of
actions. This particular theory is the ethical framework, which is completely dependent on
every predefined rule or policy to properly function any system within the environment
(Perera et al., 2014). This deontology is completely on the basis on the checklist that majorly
involves specific rules that are to be followed while completing a task. As per the
deontological framework, this work is mainly considered virtuous only when the checklist is
being completed. The process is extremely simplified for implementation as well as
understanding. Moreover, lesser time is being consumed for taking the decisions under this
specific approach.
Depending over this deontological ethical system, any moral obligation might
eventually arise from any external as well as internal sources such as the set of few rules,
which are integral to this universe and even a collection of the cultural as well as personal
values (Li, Da Xu & Zhao, 2015). Regarding Internet of Things growing trends, it is ethical
in respect to the deontology theory since it is correct to provide advantages to the

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technological world. The entire ecosystem of Internet of Things eventually comprises of
various web enables smart devices, which utilize the embedded processors, communication
hardware as well as sensors for the purpose of collecting, sending and even acting on the
data, which they would acquire from the respective environments (Jin et al., 2014). These
devices of internet of things also share the sensor data that are being collected by simply
connection to the gateway of Internet of Things or any other device, by which data are
analysed; thus IoT growing trends safety and security are ethical.
2.1.3 Social Contract Theory
The third important and significant theory that is effective for ethical analysis of the
growing trend of Internet of Things is social contract theory (Bonomi et al., 2014). Within the
moral as well as political philosophy, this particular social contract can be properly referred
to that model or theory, which is concerning about the legitimacy of state authority over an
individual. This social contract argument eventually posit that each and every individual has
consented for surrendering few of their freedoms as well as submitting them to the higher
ruler, either tacitly or explicitly, in the exchange to protect of the remaining rights. Hence,
this relation within legal and natural rights is the most effective rule for social contract theory
(Botta et al., 2016). The centralized assertion, which the approaches of social contract
considers are political as well as laws.
The political order as well as the social order are created for bringing benefits for the
individuals involved in the scenario. For the growing trend of Internet of Things, this social
contract theory states that the individual living together in a society as per an agreement and
hence the growing trends are ethical in nature (Sicari et al., 2015). This is majorly because by
providing these advantages to the users, these growing trends of Internet of Things are
fulfilling their part in the agreement with the users and hence a social contract is being
maintained and hence they would be termed as ethical in nature.

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2.1.4 Character Based Theory
Character based theory or virtue ethics can be stated as the normative ethical theory
that majorly focuses on the basic virtues of characters as well as minds. The respective virtue
ethicists discuss about the significant nature as well as definition of various virtues as well as
any other related issues (Gubbi et al., 2013). This type of discussion even involves the
procedure of virtues being acquired and the procedure of their application within several real
life contexts. Even the doubt regarding the fact that whether these are being rooted within the
plurality of cultures and universal human nature is also cleared eventually. This virtue is
usually agreed for being a specific character attribute like settled sentiment or habitual action.
The virtue like generosity or honesty is not only the tendency for doing anything
honest and generous, but also it is extremely helpful for defining a morally valuable and
desirable character based attribute (Zanella et al., 2014). The character based ethics is one of
the major approaches within the normative ethics and it is usually recognized as the one,
which could emphasize on the moral characters or virtues of the situation or person, unlike
deontology theory and consequentialism theory. Each of these characters or attributes is
being derived from the natural internal tendencies of a situation. The Internet of Things is one
of the major and the most effective technology in today’s world. The security and safety of
this particular technology is extremely high and there is always a chance of obtaining better
efficiency from the technology for the users and hence it is termed as the most important and
significant in nature (Mukhopadhyay & Suryadevara, 2014). There is absolutely no chance of
data loss in the growing trends of IoT and thus the character or virtue of the technology is
ethical in nature.
2.1.5 ACS Code of Ethics
The final requirement of the ethical analysis of the implications of growing trends of
internet of things is the ACS code of ethics. The six codes of this particular codes of ethics

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are the primacy of the public interest, enhancement of the quality of life, honesty,
competence, professional develop and professionalism (Stankovic 2014). The description is
provided below:
i) The Primacy of The Public Interest: According to this particular code of ethics, the
specific individual would eventually place the interests of the public above his or her person,
sectional as well as business interests, which refers to the fact that public interests are
considered as the top most priority for a situation or person, under every circumstance.
ii) The Enhancement of The Quality Of Life: The second code of ethics states that
each and every person should strive for the enhancement of the quality of life that is being
majorly affected by the work.
iii) Honesty: This refers to the fact that situation or the person should be honest in
nature for representation of products, knowledge and skills.
iv) Competence: The person or the situation should be worked diligently as well as
competently for the users or stakeholders (Rifkin 2014).
v) Professional Development: This is the fifth important and significant code of ACS
ethics, which refers to the fact that each and every person should enhance his or her own
professional development along with their stakeholders and co workers. For a situation, it is
should professionally developed under every circumstance.
vi) Professionalism: The final code of ACS ethics is the professionalism. The
individual or the situation should enhance the overall integrity of the users and respect the
other members as well.
Amongst the six above mentioned ACS codes of ethics, the most effective,
appropriate and significant code of ethics for the growing trends of Internet of Things

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regarding the safety and security is the Primacy of the Public Interest (Whitmore, Agarwal &
Da Xu, 2015). As this specific technology trend is providing security to the users and is
placing the interests of the public over their technological or business interests. Thus, IoT
growing trends is termed as ethical in nature.
3. Conclusion
Therefore, from the above discussion, it could be concluded that the internet of things
is a definite computing concept, which eventually defines about the ideology of physical
objects, being linked with the Internet connection and even can identify themselves with the
other devices. It is closely related to the RFID for the communication method however, it
even includes other sensor technology, QR codes as well as wireless technologies. The above
report has clearly outlined the proper description about the major implications of a growing
trend of interconnectivity for security and safety. Four ethical philosophies are being
explained here in respect to the Internet of Things and one element selected from the
Australian Computer Society’s or ACS code of ethics with proper details.

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References
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