IT Ethics Report: Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas in Information Technology

This report provides an in-depth analysis of IT ethics, focusing on a case study involving an ICT professional, Ken, who faces ethical dilemmas related to the launch of an untested system. The report explores the ethical dilemmas Ken encounters, including whether to launch the system, fight back against management, or resign. It analyzes the dilemmas based on the ACS code of conduct, highlighting the importance of honesty, competence, and public interest. The report recommends that Ken report illegal practices, seek guidance from other ACS members, and always prioritize public interest. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of ethical considerations in IT, the relevance of the ACS code of conduct, and the need to balance professional and personal interests to maintain integrity and uphold ethical standards within the ICT profession.

IT ethics

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
It is important to follow several rules and regulations related to technology. Every system is
been tested which ensures that government guidelines are followed. In Australia there is ACS
code of conduct which consists of various laws. These all codes are followed in to ensure
transparency and honesty in work ethics (Trevino & Nelson, 2016). Ethical dilemma is a
situation where a choice has to be made between two or more courses of action available. It is
solved by selecting one action and analysing its impact.
This report is based on ethical dilemma occurred due to different consequences faced by
Ken. He is an ICT professional who has designed a system. Moreover, it will discuss about what
actions can be taken as per ACS code of conduct. At last recommendations are given with
reasons.
MAIN BODY
Main ethical dilemma involved in case
In the case basically there are three ethical dilemmas shown. Ken has designed a system
which is to be tested and go live on Monday. But a situation has arisen and he has to take
effective course of action. The ethical dilemmas are described below :-
Let system go live- It is a dilemma in which the system can go live on Monday without been
completely tested. Here, in this situation even if system is not tested Ken is forced by
management to launch it. He is having option to launch untested system. So, if Ken decide to
choose this then the system goes live it can create major issues. Due to it, he may have to face
legal action
Ken fight back – here, in this dilemma it is stated that Ken can fight back to his decision. He can
take his own decision not to launch system (Capurro, 2018). This means that he can test system
and then launch it. If Ken fight back then system might be tested. Thus, it might be that client
gives some time to test system. There can be changes done in it according to guideline
mentioned in ACS. So, he will be able to ensure that ICT is secured, protected, etc. and there is
transparency maintained in system process.
Ken resigns – In this he can resign from his post. It will be major decision regarding his own
job. Moreover, Ken will have to meet bank officer to solve issue regarding money transfer.
Furthermore, resignation will impact on his professional development.
Analyze ethical dilemma as different action by ICT professional Ken
1

It is necessary to solve ethical dilemma so that proper and effective actions are taken to
deal with critical situation. It can be analyzed that in Australia ICT profession has to follow
various code of conduct (Hansson, 2017). So, when they stuck in ethical dilemma they use ACS
to solve it and take proper action. From case it is analyzed that ethical dilemma is due to untested
systems which is to be launched. There are many things related to it as well. Ken was having
option to choose from three situations. The ACS code of conduct provide many code related to
use of ICT. Also, it consists of some guidelines which must be followed and considered in taking
into ICT area.
If Ken fight back and refuse to launch untested system this states that he has placed his
interest of public above his personal and business interest. He has followed ACS code of primacy
of public interest and enhancement of quality of life (Peters, 2015). Ken fight back will reflect
his interest. This is because he has put public interest. He thinks that launching of untested
system will affect quality of life of other people due to his personal work.
It can be analyzed that if Ken go for dilemma of resigning then he has followed the ACS
code of honesty and professionalism. This state that he is honest in his work skills and
knowledge. Moreover, he will enhance integrity of ACS and respect its member. Furthermore,
Ken is honest in his profession and is not in favour of any illegal activity.
In the dilemma of letting system go live it can be stated that Ken followed ACS code of
competence and professional development. It means that he will work diligently for stakeholders
in effective way. Alongside it, he will improve his own professional development as well as of
management.
Therefore, it can be analyzed that Ken should opt for fight back as it will help in refusing to
launch untested system (Mittelstadt & et.al. 2016). With it he can follow code of honesty and
working in public interest by placing personal and business interest above it. By taking this
course of action he will not breach public trust and interest. Alongside it, he will reject any
illegal offer that is made by management. Also, there will be nothing done in order to improve
his own reputation in front of other person. Thus, it will reflect his behaviour regarding his work
and decision taken in such situation. Following honesty code of conduct in job highly describe
that no unethical behaviour is tolerated and a person works in honest way. In addition, honest
behaviour reflects a person values and ethics. By taking this action it will show perspective of
2

Ken that whether work is done in professional way or not. There is need to follow things
required that ethics and values are kept at priority by ICT professionals.
On contrary if letting system go out course of action is taken by Ken then it will be
related to following of ACS code of conduct. Here, he will follow competence and professional
development code. So, it shows that he is working diligently for stakeholders. He will be able to
enhance his growth and staff development as well (Monshipouri, Welch & Kennedy, 2017). This
action can also be taken. At last if resigning action is taken then it shows professionalism of Ken.
He will respect integrity of members of ACS. However, it ensures that Ken follow code of
conduct just like every member. Besides, if he resigns then a positive image is created in front of
other member. This action will bring more integrity among them and using ICT conduct.
RECOMMENDATIONS
There are various recommendations that can be followed. They are described below :-
 Ken can report such illegal practice to ACS senior member. The ACS authority can take
some action against management. This can be followed in context of honesty and public
interest. Thus, it will restrict to launch system. In this way it can be properly tested and
errors are detected.
 He can suggest or take help of another ACS member that what to do in such situation. So,
here changes can be made in system or management are provided with alternative. This
defines following value of enhancement of quality of life. Ken will ensure that those
people are not affected by his work. Thus, next time such situation not occur and system
is completely tested.
 Ken should always work in public interest in future so that if any illegal launch of
untested system then he must not do it. This will help him in showing professionalism
and keeping away his personal or business interest.
In this way Ken can ensure he is member of ACS and a professional in ethics, values, etc.
However, working within public interest will enable in being honest and competence in his
profession. This will benefit in enhancing personal development. In addition to it, when any
similar type of situation occurs Ken can work on basis of ACS code of conduct. It will be
useful in following ethics and values of ICT profession.
3

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that Ken was in ethical dilemma which was related to untested system. It
is necessary to solve it by taking values and ethics into consideration. Ken was facing ethical
dilemma related to system design and testing. Also, in Australia ICT professional has to follow
ACS code of conduct in which different regulations such as honesty, competence,
professionalism, etc. are mentioned. ACS helps in solving ethical dilemmas. Similarly, Ken can
take action of fighting back to management. It will benefit in working in honest way and keeping
public interest above personal or business one.
4

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Capurro, R. (2018). Intercultural information ethics. In Localizing the Internet (pp. 19-38).
Wilhelm Fink Verlag.
Hansson, S. O. (2017). The ethics of technology: methods and approaches.
Mittelstadt, B. D., & et.al. (2016). The ethics of algorithms: Mapping the debate. Big Data &
Society. 3(2). 2053951716679679.
Monshipouri, M., Welch, C. E., & Kennedy, E. T. (2017). Multinational corporations and the
ethics of global responsibility: Problems and possibilities. In Human Rights and
Corporations (pp. 123-147). Routledge.
Peters, R. S. (2015). Ethics and Education (Routledge Revivals). Routledge.
Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2016). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do
it right. John Wiley & Sons.
5