Sustainability, Social ,legal and

Ethics Issues in Computing

Lecture 1 : Introduction
Sherif H. El-Gohary , Phd

Based on slides prepared by Cyndi Chie, Sarah Frye and Sharon Gray.
SCH 163 - Fall 2022 Fifth edition updated by Timothy Henry
 What We’ll Cover

1. Course Goals and Activities

2. Challenges of Ethics and Technology

3. A Few Key Topics

DeathToStockPhotos
 Different Issues in Computer Science

Legal Issues
What’s actually
considered right or
Ethical Issues wrong by the law. Social Issues
What’s considered How people of different
morally ‘right’ or cultures (e.g. religion,
‘wrong’. country, ethnic group) are
affected, but also its social
impact.

Environmental Issues Privacy Issues

Impact on the natural Respecting users’ wishes on
world, e.g. carbon the level of disclosure of
footprint, pollution, information, and protecting
“e-waste”. this data.
 Professional Ethics

● Do you prefer to be programming or configuring a server?

● Few states license computer or software engineers

Why do I need an ethics course?

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 Course Objectives
1.Analyze ethically ambiguous scenarios using the fundamental theories of ethical analysis

2.Detect and judge relevant ethical, social and legal issues in information systems, networks and
technology
3.Apply ethical analysis methodologies to relevant issues, including representative case studies and
hypothetical situations
4.Draw conclusions and plan courses of action based on reasoned application of ethical methodologies
and analysis
5.Publicly present argument and debate issues from all sides of issues with critical analysis, using
proper argument organization and logical argument structure and reasoned and effective responses to
challenges
6.Compare and apply various professional codes of ethics to common issues found in IT and
management situations.
 Facebook’s Motto
○ Move Fast And Break Things
○ Move Fast and Build Things
○ Move Fast With Stable Infra
○ Move Fast
○ Ship Love
○ Move Fast And Please Please Please Don’t Break Anything

○ (May 2017)
The Challenge of Ethics
1. Developing low cost computer controlled motor
2. Could revolutionize the small motor industry
3. If quality standards are met, motor is not powerful
4. Management directs team to modify the software:
i. When tested, air filter is fully engaged
ii. Otherwise the air filter is disengaged
The Challenge of Ethics
The Challenge of Ethics
 The Challenge of Ethics
1. Volkswagen Defeat Device
2. New diesel engine could not meet U.S. EPA and European
air quality standards and customer performance
expectations.
3. Software detected when car was in emissions testing
a. Engaged the normal emissions control system.
b. At other times the emissions control system
was disabled
The Challenge of Ethics
a. First cars with device were 2009 models

a. Almost 500,000 vehicles were sold with device

b. Device software was enhanced over time

c. Tens of thousands of cars were “fixed” with only a software patch

Potential Reasons VW Engineers violated laws:

Everybody is doing it.
Won’t affect anybody else.
Culturally accepted.
Dangerous not to do it.
Won’t get caught.
It’s not enforced.
 The Challenge of Ethics
a. First cars with device were 2009 models

a. Almost 500,000 vehicles were sold with device

b. Device software was enhanced over time

c. Tens of thousands of cars were “fixed” with only a software patch

• When these same situations happen to you,
how will you prevent yourself from making the same decision as the
Volkswagen engineers?

• How secure would you feel using a self-driving car

from Volkswagen?
Professional Licensing
1. Medical Doctors 8. Electricians
2. Nurses 9. Plumbers
3. Psychologists 10.Architects
4. Teachers (K-12) 11.Bartenders
5. Engineers 12.Massage Therapists
6. Lawyers 13.Barbers
7. Pilots 14.Nail Technician (Manicurist)

In many U.S. states, Software Engineers are not legal “Engineers” because
they have not passed the PE Exam.
Global View
1. We can have a very Arabian or Egyptian view
2. Global view is important — *any* web site is visible worldwide
a. Culture varies widely
b. Laws vary widely
c. Ethics vary widely
 Global View
1. From a worldwide perspective
a. Few people are comfortable with technology
b. Less than 45% of world has Internet connection
c. Only 7% of the world has college-level degree (about 30% in U.S.)
d. Top 10% of world population (8.2%) by salary
Key Topics
1. The Pace of Change

2. Change and Unexpected Developments

3. Themes of Technology Challenges

4. Ethics
 Security
● Have you heard of the small business Fazio Mechanical?
■ A) Yes
■ B) No

© Google Street View

 Security
● Have you heard of the small business Fazio Mechanical?

■ Specializes in supermarket refrigeration systems

■ Small business (less than 200) employees in southwest Pennsylvania

● Target Security Breach (Fall 2013)

○ Data on 40 million credit cards stolen

○ Over 70 million customer records stolen

○ Started with phishing email sent to Fazio Mechanical

 Security

● Small businesses
○ can’t afford a security staff
○ are gateways to larger systems
○ often go out of business after a
breach DeathToStockPhotos
 Security

● Security breaches occur:

○ Poorly written software
○ Poorly configured networks and
applications
● Whistleblowing versus Responsible DeathToStockPhotos

Disclosure
 Mobile Phones & Connectivity
Culture
● Internet Streaming
● Continuous Connection
Shift
● Digital Photos
● Targeted News
● Other Impacts
The Pace of Change
1. 1940s: First computer was built.
2. 1956: First hard-drive disk weighed a ton and stored
five megabytes.
3. 1991: Space shuttle had a one-megahertz computer.
Ten years later, some automobiles had 100-
megahertz computers. Speeds of several gigahertz
are now common.
 Change and Unexpected Developments

1.Cell Phones
2.Relatively few in 1990s. Approximately five billion worldwide in 2011.
3.Used for conversations and messaging, but also for:
a. taking and sharing pictures
b. downloading music and watching videos
c. checking email and playing games
d. banking and managing investments
e. finding maps
4.Smartphone apps for many tasks, including:
a. monitoring diabetes
b. locating water in remote areas
 Change and Unexpected Developments
Cell Phones:
1. Location tracking raises privacy concerns.
2. Cameras in cell phones affect privacy in public and non-public places.
3. Cell phones can interfere with solitude, quiet and concentration.
4. Talking on cell phones while driving is dangerous.
5. Other
unanticipated negative applications: teenagers sexting, terrorists
detonating bombs, rioters organizing looting parties.
Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Social Networking:
2. First online social networking site was www.classmates.com in 1995.
3. Founded in 2003, Myspace had roughly 100 million member profiles by
2006.
4. Facebook was started at Harvard as an online version of student
directories
5. Social
networking is popular with hundreds of millions of people
because of the ease with which they can share aspects of their lives.
Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Social Networking:

2. Businesses connect with customers.

3. Organizations seek donations.

4. Groups organize volunteers.

5. Protesters organize demonstrations and revolutions.

6. Individuals pool resources through “crowd funding”.

Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Communication and the Web

2. Blogs(“Web log”) began as outlets for amateurs wanting to express
ideas, but they have become significant source of news and
entertainment.
3. Inexpensive video cameras and video-manipulation tools have resulted
in a burst of amateur videos.
4. Many
videos on the Web can infringe copyrights owned by entertainment
companies.
Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Telemedicine

2. Remote performance of medical exams and

procedures, including surgery.

Change and Unexpected Developments

1. E-commerce

2. Amazon.com started in 1994 selling books on the Web. It has grown to

be one of the most popular, reliable, and user-friendly commercial sites.
3. eBay.com facilitates online auctions.
4. Traditional brick-and-mortar business have established Web sites.
5. Online sales in the United States now total hundreds of billions of dollars
a year.
6. Sellers can sell directly to buyers, resulting in a peer-to-peer economy.
Change and Unexpected Developments

1. E-commerce and trust concerns

2. People
were reluctant to provide credit card information to make online
purchases, so PayPal.com grew out of need for trusted intermediary to
handle payments.
3. Encryption and secure servers made payments safer.
4. The
Better Business Bureau established a Web site to help consumers
see if others have complained about a business.
5. Auction sites implemented rating systems.
Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Free stuff
2. Advertising pays for many free sites and services, but not all.
3. Wikipedia funded through donations.
4. Businesses
provide some services for good public relations
and as a marketing tool.
5. Generosity
and public service flourish on the Web. Many
people share their expertise just because they want to.
Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Artificial intelligence
2. A branch of computer science that makes computers
perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence.
3. Researchers realized that narrow, specialized skills
were easier for computers than what a five-year-old
does: recognize people, carry on a conversation,
respond intelligently to the environment.
Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Artificial intelligence

2. Many AI applications involve pattern recognition.

3. Speech recognition is now a common tool.

 Change and Unexpected Developments

Discussion Questions
1.How will we react when we can go into a hospital for surgery performed
entirely by a machine? Will it be scarier than riding in the first automatic
elevators or airplanes?

2.Howwill we react when we can have a conversation and not know if we are
conversing with a human or a machine?

3.How will we react when chips implanted in our brains enhance our memory
with gigabytes of data and a search engine? Will we still be human?
Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Robots
2. Mechanical devices that perform physical
tasks traditionally done by humans.
3. Can operate in environments that are
hazardous for people.
 Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Smart sensors, motion, and control

2. Motion sensing devices are used to give robots the ability to walk,

trigger airbags in a crash, and protect laptops when dropped.

3. Sensors can detect leaks, acceleration, position, temperature, and

moisture.
Change and Unexpected Developments

1. Tools for disabled people

2. Assistive technology devices help restore productivity
and independence to people with disabilities.
3. Researchers are experimenting with chips that
convert brain signals to controls for leg and arm
muscles.
Themes
1. Old problems in a new context:
1. Crime, Pornography, Violent Fiction
2. Adapting to new technology:
1. Thinking in a new way
2. New laws, social institutions, business
policies, personal skills, attitudes, and
behavior.
 Themes
1. Trade-offs and controversy:
1. Increasing security means reducing convenience.
2. Perfection is a direction, not an option.
2. Differences between personal choices, business policies,
and law.
3. Government versus Private versus Public versus Commercial
What is Ethics?
1. Study of what it means to “do the right thing”.

2. Assumes people are rational and make free choices.

3. Rules to follow in our interactions and our actions

that affect others.

Ethical Views
1. Deontological theories
i. Emphasize duty and absolute rules
ii. Intrinsically good actions
iii. Universal rules apply to everyone
iv. People are an end, not a means
Ethical Views
1. Utilitarianism

i. “The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few (or the one)”

ii. Actions that result in greatest over increase in happiness or utility

2. Natural rights

i. People can make their own decisions

ii. Based on their own judgement

Ethical Views
1. Negative rights (liberties)

i. The right to act without interference

2. Positive rights (claim-rights)

i. An obligation of some people to provide certain

things for others

What are examples of liberties (negative rights) and

claim-rights (positive rights) that are at opposition to each other?
Ethical Views
1. Golden rule
Treat others as you would want them to treat you.

2. Contributing to society
Doing one’s work honestly, responsibly, ethically,
creatively, and well is virtuous.
Ethical Views
Social contracts and a theory of political justice
People willingly submit to a common law in
order to live in a civil society.
Ethical Views
1. No simple answers

a. Human behavior and real human situations are complex.

b. There are often trade-offs to consider.

c. Ethical theories help to identify important principles or

guidelines.
Organizational Ethics
Do organizations have ethics?

a. Ultimately, it is individuals who are making decisions and

taking actions.

a. Can we hold both the individuals and the organization

responsible for their acts.
Ethics
1. Some important distinctions:
i. Right, wrong, and okay
ii. Distinguishing wrong and harm
iii. Separating goals from constraints
iv. Personal preference and ethics
v. Law and ethics
Different Issues in Computer Science

Legal Issues
What’s actually
Ethical Issues considered right or
wrong by the law.
What’s considered
morally ‘right’ or
‘wrong’.
Cultural Issues
How people of
Environmental Issues different cultures (e.g.
Impact on the natural religion, country, ethnic
world, e.g. carbon group) are affected,
footprint, pollution, but also its social
“e-waste”. impact.
Privacy Issues
Respecting users’ wishes on the
level of disclosure of
information, and protecting this
data.
Different Issues in Computer Science
Large tech corporations have a
mixture of lawyers and
consultants to guide them on
their legal, ethical, privacy,
cultural and environmental
policies.
 Stakeholder

! Stakeholders are individuals or groups of people that have an

interest in a business or scenario and can either affect or be
affected by this, e.g. the business’ actions regarding a particular
technology.

People the could be stakeholders:

Local community, suppliers, employees, customers.

Different stakeholders have different concerns and priorities depending on

their interaction with the technology.
 Issues we might consider
Environment issues

• Use of renewable energy by production factories/offices.

• Consideration of the use of electrical energy by technological
products, e.g. for cooling. Can they be made energy efficient?
• Raw materials used for the product – are they sustainable? EU law will soon
(e.g. precious metals, plastic) oblige retailers to
• Services such as Skype/Facetime reduce the need for travel. accept small
electrical items for
Services such as Remote Desktop allow people to work from recycling.
home, reducing travel costs/pollution.
• Use of electronic documents/messaging cuts on printing.
• Lifetime of the device (average in UK is 2 years) – what is the
impact of disposal/on landfill?
(“e-waste”) – a lot of which is shipped to Asia/Africa.
 Issues we might consider
Cultural Impact
• Does use of technology (e.g. social media) reduce face-to-face interaction?
• Prevalence of a particular technology in everyday life – mobile phones means
people are always contactable.
• Effect on personality: does aspects of social media/selfies/picture filters lead to a
more narcissistic culture?
• The technology’s capacity to create ‘viral’ posts, e.g. pictures, stories, messages,
videos. Often becomes entwined with the media.
• The capacity for users to express themselves via art, photography, writing (blogging)
and share with others.
 Issues we might consider
Cultural Impact
Just as financial and social background can have a large influence on lifestyle and
opportunities in life, the same can be said about individuals’ access to technology.

The ‘digital
This can be influenced by local infrastructure (e.g. high-speed broadline
availability) and consumer affordability (is it too expensive for some?).
divide’
• Rural areas tend to have poorer phone network coverage, and lower speeds for
internet.
• Inequality has increased globally due to access to technology in ‘First World’
countries vs ‘Third World’ countries.
• Newer technologies less used by the older generation, but increasingly
becoming less of an issue.
 Issues we might consider
Cultural Impact
The UK government outlined the following benefits of
reaching out to communities on the wrong side of the
The ‘digital divide’ digital divide:
1. “acquiring knowledge and developing skills
2. developing confidence and self-esteem which
reinforce family and community cohesion
3. pursuing leisure interests and opportunities
4. publishing and broadcasting their opinions and
ideas and relating that experience to that of others
globally
‘One Laptop Per Child’ 5. supporting and developing small businesses
provided free lost-cost laptops 6. being empowered to campaign and participate in the
to children in low-income
countries. democratic process.”
 Issues we might consider
Ethical Issues
• Consumer health:
• Eyestrain from excessive screen-time.
• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) – damage due to repetitive movements.
• Back problems from poor posture.
• Can addiction (e.g. excessive mobile phone use/gaming) rob time from more meaningful activities,
or distract from work?
• What impact will a technology have on jobs? e.g. Streaming services impacting musician royalties.
Uber impacting the taxi industry.
• Will a product allow a company to have a monopoly? (i.e. an overwhelmingly dominant business
within a particular sector)
• Is there a conflict of complying with a particular country’s government’s regulations and human
rights? e.g. Censorship of certain aspects of a product or government monitoring of client usage.
• Will the product allow children to access inappropriate material? Should we implement parental
controls?
• To what extent should we use anonymity to tackle cyber-bullying and ‘trolling’ (deliberate
attempts to start public arguments for amusement/attention)
 Issues we might consider
Privacy
• Websites store a significant amount of information about you:
• Some required for specific purposes, e.g. banking.
• Social media often builds up a profile of you based on what posts you view,
what ads you click, what you list your interests as, what you purchase, etc. in
order to provide targeted advertising.
• Cloud computing stores your files externally.
• Face recognition software can even identify who you’re in photos with!
• Capacity for abuse: sharing your personal information with 3rd parties.
• Sites usually provide a privacy agreements, although these are rarely read.
• Sites also tend to have privacy controls (e.g. who can see your posts, what
information about is available to ‘friends’ and other users), although companies
(e.g. Facebook) are often criticised for not making these transparent.
• Often personal data on personal devices (laptops, phones, …) which might be
stolen.
There was a major political scandal in early
2018 when it was revealed that Cambridge
Analytica had harvested the personal data of
millions of people's Facebook profiles without
their consent and used it for political
advertising purposes.

It has been described as a watershed moment

in the public understanding of personal data
and precipitated a massive fall in Facebook's
stock price and calls for tighter regulation of
tech companies' use of personal data.
(Wikipedia)