This report examines the ethical dimensions of data collection, using the Cambridge Analytica case as a focal point. It analyzes the case through the lens of four classical ethical theories: utilitarianism, deontology, contract theory, and virtue theory. The report details how Facebook's data breach and Cambridge Analytica's subsequent actions, such as using personal data to predict voter behavior, are evaluated as unethical based on these frameworks. The analysis highlights the conflicts between maximizing happiness (utilitarianism), adherence to rules and duties (deontology), the violation of agreements (contract theory), and the failure of leadership to uphold virtuous conduct (virtue theory). The report concludes that the actions of both Facebook and Cambridge Analytica were unethical, emphasizing the importance of data privacy and ethical considerations in social media and political contexts.
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