Analyzing IT Ethics: Whistleblowing, Professional Codes, and Privacy

This essay delves into various aspects of ethics in information technology, starting with an evaluation of Richard de George's conditions for ethical whistleblowing by IT professionals. It discusses the virtues and shortcomings of ethical codes adopted by professional organizations like ACS, analyzing the benefits of such codes of conduct. The essay further examines the heightened moral responsibilities of computer professionals compared to ordinary users, defining professional codes of ethics and their functions. It explores how these codes can guide IT professionals in whistleblowing decisions, and presents arguments for and against employee monitoring using digital technology. Finally, it addresses the controversial aspects of internet search engines from a privacy perspective and identifies key differences between privacy threats posed by cybertechnology versus earlier technologies, focusing on private communication, bodily privacy, personal information, and individual data. Desklib offers a variety of resources, including similar essays and solved assignments, for students seeking to deepen their understanding of this subject.

Running head: TOPIC IN ETHICS
TOPIC IN ETHICS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note:

1TOPIC IN ETHICS
Evaluation of Richard de George for it to morally impossible or morally required for IT
professional to blow their whistle
Ans: As De George (1981), there are some condition for engineers are given permission for
blowing whistle
 Harm will be done by various products to the public which is serious and considerable in
nature.
 Engineers have made certain number of concerns to have understanding with respect to
superiors.
 Engineering tends to receive no kind of satisfaction from their supervisors. He has
exhausted the available channel with the organization.
Mandatory Whistleblow as per George:
 It is strong about evidence for making public information for preventing threats from
serious harm.
Describe some virtues of ethical codes which is adopted by professional codes like ACS and
discuss on shortcoming of overcoming these codes. Analyzes the benefits of codes of
conduct.
Ans: Engineering is defined as an important and learned profession. Being a part of this
profession, engineers are expected to have highest standard of both honesty and integrity
(Spencer 2017). Engineering can have direct impact over the quality of life and all the associated
people. There is large number of services provided by Engineers which require honesty, fairness
and equity which is required for public health. There are large number of benefits like
 Mutual respect along with integrity
 Trust and honesty.

2TOPIC IN ETHICS
 Overall responsibility.
Do computer professional have special moral responsibility than ordinary computer user
Ans: Yes, computer professional tends to have more responsibility in comparison to ordinary
system users as they are ones who make or break the future of systems (Thompson 2018). They
tend to come up with more information in comparison to ordinary users and the job is all about
understanding everything which is fair and square in nature.
What are professional codes of ethics and function which they serve?
Ans: Codes of ethics are nothing but guide of certain principles which helps the professional to
conduct their business in more honest way along with integrity (Bertrand 2018). Code of Ethics
can easily outline the mission and values of the organization.
Can professional codes of conduct guide IT professional in determining when it would blow
whistle?
Ans: In the given scenario, legislation can easily offer certain number of protections for
employees to decide with public information about the organization (Trevino and Nelson 2016).
Engineers come up with responsibility of following
 Raising concern to the parties whether there is violation of code.
 Making a report of substantial violation about the appropriate authorities which is
difficult to consult with people.
Describe the key arguments for defending and opposing the use of computer and digital
technology for monitoring employees?
Ans: Organization should set up a list of steps like
 Setting up written policies.
 Informing the employees in the workplace

3TOPIC IN ETHICS
 Making use of proper technology and tools.
Why are certain aspects and use of internet search engines controversial from privacy
perspective?
Ans: Search engines are nothing but programs which are designed for internet users for websites
that correspond to user request (Trevino and Nelson 2016). Search engine can be used for
locating information on various topics like travel and academic research. Search engines are
needed for acquiring proper information about persons. Search engine comes up with potential of
locating and retrieving information about various individuals.
Identify and briefly describe four ways the privacy threats posed by cybertechnology differ
from posed threats by earlier technologies?
Ans: Privacy issues are all about involving cybertechnology which can affect large number of
people irrespective of computer network used (Bertrand 2018). Considering the amount of
personal information which is needed in commercial transaction. The four ways in which it
differs are
 Private communication
 Privacy of the body
 Personal information
 Information about an individual.

4TOPIC IN ETHICS
References
Bertrand, C.J., 2018. Media ethics and accountability systems. Routledge.
Spencer, H., 2017. The data of ethics. Routledge.
Thompson, D.F., 2018. The possibility of administrative ethics. In Classics of Administrative
Ethics (pp. 79-92). Routledge.
Trevino, L.K. and Nelson, K.A., 2016. Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it
right. John Wiley & Sons.