Trimester 1, 2019: MN501 - Ethical Issues in ICT Technologies

This report examines ethical issues stemming from the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). It begins with an introduction to ethics and ICT, highlighting potential vulnerabilities. The report identifies two key ethical issues: unauthorized access to personal data (images and videos) and the potential misuse of this data for criminal activities and privacy violations, using a personal experience with a taxi booking application as a case study. The analysis discusses the impact of these issues on both businesses and society, including loss of customer trust and potential business damage. The report evaluates the ethical issues against the ACS code of ethics, emphasizing the violation of principles like the primacy of public interest, professional development, professionalism, and competence. The conclusion reinforces the importance of ethical ICT use, emphasizing the need for robust security measures and ethical considerations in the design and implementation of ICT systems to safeguard user data and maintain public trust.

Running head: ETHICAL ISSUES ARISING FROM USE OF ICT TECHNOLOGIES
Ethical Issues arising from Use of ICT Technologies
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note:

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ETHICAL ISSUES ARISING FROM USE OF ICT TECHNOLOGIES
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................2
2. Discussion..........................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Identification of 2 Ethical Issues..................................................................................................2
2.2 Analysis of Above Mentioned Issues for Impact on Business and Society...................................3
2.3 Evaluation of Issues with Proper Analysis....................................................................................3
3. Conclusion.........................................................................................................................................3
References.............................................................................................................................................5

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ETHICAL ISSUES ARISING FROM USE OF ICT TECHNOLOGIES
1. Introduction
Ethics involves systematization, defending as well as recommendations of concepts of
correct and incorrect conduct. Human morality issues like virtue or vice, right and wrong, good and
evil would be easily resolved. ICT or information and communication technologies are the biggest
boons to technological world [4]. However, there could be some of the major ethical issues that can
bring vulnerabilities within an organization. Several applications like banking apps, booking taxi and
health monitoring could be easily hacked by hackers for modifying customer data [5]. This is
extremely unethical and can hack data for intentions. Recently, I have faced similar issue while using
a taxi booking application, Ingogo. My confidential data were hacked and hence I faced significant
issues.
2. Discussion
2.1 Identification of 2 Ethical Issues
Last month, while returning home, I was trying to book a taxi from Ingogo application.
Although, this particular application is serving the customers for more than 8 years and the
respective mobile application could be customized properly, I checked that my phone’s data was
hacked. At first I panicked, however, with the help of one of my friend, I launched a complaint
against this application to the cyber security cell. Within 48 hours, the hacker was identified and I
was relieved that my data were not leaked at any website [1]. Since, I had confidential data like
photos and videos, I was extremely annoyed at the management of Ingogo application. Moreover,
this type of hacking is absolutely unethical in nature and there are two distinctive ethical issues,
which are as follows:
i) Getting Access of Personal Images and Videos: The first and the foremost ethical issue in
my case study is getting access of personal images and videos. Since my phone contained all types of
personal images and videos, it was extremely unethical to access any type of personal and
confidential data. This particular ethical issue eventually considers whether the respective individual
has the right to access the information under any legislation [8]. Moreover, this type of ethical issue
can even consider whether access to the information could be granted under privacy act and on the
basis of administration. Since, Ingogo application is responsible for providing taxi booking features,
the access to my personal and confidential data was extremely unethical.
ii) Using Data for Criminal Offense and Privacy Issues: The second important and significant
ethical issue in this particular case study of Ingogo application, the subsequent utilization of
confidential data could be done for any type of criminal offense and privacy issues. Moreover, the

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ETHICAL ISSUES ARISING FROM USE OF ICT TECHNOLOGIES
identified hacked could have used my personal information for his own personal or criminal
activities. This type of activity is eventually termed as unethical as I could be under major issue for
this particular act and could have faced legal issues as well [3].
2.2 Analysis of Above Mentioned Issues for Impact on Business and Society
The above mentioned two ethical issues of getting access to personal data like images and
videos and utilizing these data for criminal offense and privacy issues have major impact on both
business and society [6]. Since, Ingogo application is extremely popular and significant for the users,
there should be a major impact on both businesses and society. I was a regular customer of this
application, however, due to such issues that I have faced here, I will not be using this particular
application further and hence they have lost one of their most prominent clients. Moreover, I will
also not recommend this application to any of my friends or family members as this is extremely
problematic to use this application and they might lose their data as well. Hence, a panic and a major
impact will be provided on the business and society [7]. Moreover, the business of this particular
application will also be affected due to these ethical issues.
2.3 Evaluation of Issues with Proper Analysis
According to ACS code of ethics, my case study is absolutely unethical in nature. There are
few values or codes that define that one should follow these codes for becoming ethical. These
codes of ethics are as follows:
i) The Primacy of Public Interest: According to this code of ethics, the customer’s security
should be enhanced, however this was not followed by Ingogo [5].
ii) Professional Development: According to this code of ethics, one should enhance
professional development, however Ingogo application was not secured and I lost my personal data
[2].
iii) Professionalism: According to this code of ethics, an organizational should enhance the
integrity of society and then respect the members. However, I did not get any respect or security to
my personal data and faced major issues.
iv) Competence: According to this code of ethics, an organizational should focus on their
stakeholders and should work diligently [8]. However, in this case study Ingogo did not provide
competence.

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ETHICAL ISSUES ARISING FROM USE OF ICT TECHNOLOGIES
3. Conclusion
Therefore, from the above discussion, I can conclude that the use of information and
communications technology should be ethical and this is only possible when human attitudes and
values that specify human behaviour and actions are being constituted properly. Moreover, the main
conditions for better use and proper maintenance of these systems should be being fulfilled for
ensuring ethics. Last month, while booking taxi from Ingogo application, my phone data was being
hacked. However, after taking legal help, I was able to secure my phone from any further activity. I
noted that every organization has an ethical responsibility of including more levels of security while
introducing their applications for making them more secured.

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References
[1] R.O., Mason. Four ethical issues of the information age. In Computer Ethics (pp. 41-48).
Routledge. 2017.
[2] J.P., Sampson, and J.P., Makela. Ethical issues associated with information and communication
technology in counseling and guidance. International Journal for Educational and Vocational
Guidance, 14(1), pp.135-148. 2014.
[3] B.C., Stahl, G., Eden, and M., Jeritza,. Responsible research and innovation in information and
communication technology: Identifying and engaging with the ethical implications of
ICTs. Responsible innovation, pp.199-218. 2013.
[4] D., Popescul, and M., Georgescu. Internet of Things–some ethical issues. The USV Annals of
Economics and Public Administration, 13(2 (18)), pp.208-214. 2014.
[5] S., Miller, and J., Blackler. Ethical issues in policing. Routledge. 2017.
[6] A., Grinbaum, and C., Groves. What is “responsible” about responsible innovation?
Understanding the ethical issues. Responsible innovation: Managing the responsible emergence of
science and innovation in society, pp.119-142. 2013.
[7] J.V., Jensen. Ethical issues in the communication process. Routledge. 2013.
[8] I., Rechberg and J., Syed. Ethical issues in knowledge management: conflict of knowledge
ownership. Journal of Knowledge Management, 17(6), pp.828-847. 2013.