Chapter 1 notes
The pace of change
Question : How is the microchip similar to Gutenberg’s printing press in affecting society?
1- Changed the world 2- Impacted the economy 3- Affected how people live
Change and unexpected development
Question: What are some key features and uses of cell phones?
Using apps for tasks like monitoring diabetes and locating water in remote areas.
Question: What are some negative effects of cell phones?
• Location tracking can harm privacy
• Cameras can affect privacy in public and private places
• Talking while driving can be dangerous
Question:What are kill switches?
Let someone turn off apps and delete files from far away.
Question: How do social networks help groups?
- Help businesses talk to customers
- Organize volunteers
- Help people raise money together by crowd funding
Question: What are some bad things about social networking?
• Bullies pick on others.
• Fake accounts pretend to be real people.
• Social networking can put our privacy at risk.
Question: How has communication changed with the web?
• Blogs,Copyright Issues and Online Learning.
Question: What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine is when doctors do exams and surgeries from a distance using technology.
Question: How has e-commerce changed to help people feel more comfortable shopping
online?
When e-commerce first started, people were worried about giving out their credit card
information online. To help with this, companies did a few things:
1. PayPal grew popular as a way for people to make purchases without sharing their card
details directly.
2. Websites started using encryption and secure servers to make payments safer.
3. Auction sites added rating systems so buyers could see if a seller was trustworthy.
These changes helped people feel more confident about shopping online over time.
Question:How do free online services get money?
- Advertising, Donation and Generosity, as many people share knowledge for free.
Question:How will we feel about having surgery done by a machine? Will it be scarier
than the first automatic elevators or airplanes?
Some might feel scared, just like they did with early automatic elevators or airplanes.
Others could be excited about how machines might do surgery better and safer. As
people get used to this technology and see it working well, they might feel less afraid, just
like with elevators and planes. Trust in the machines will really matter in how we react.
Question:How will we feel if we can't tell if we're talking to a human or a machine?
• Confused about who we’re really talking to
• Worried about trust and honesty
• Curious and excited about the technology
• Some will adapt quickly, while others may need time to get used to it
Question:How will we feel about chips in our brains that boost our memory and have a
search engine? Will we still be human?
Good Things:
Better memory: Helps us learn and remember more.
More independence: Assists people with disabilities.
Worries:
What makes us human: Questions about our identity.
Relying on technology: Could weaken our thinking skills.
Privacy risks: Concerns about keeping our information safe.
Question:What tools help people with disabilities?
- Screen readers: Read text aloud.
- Speech-to-text software:Turns spoken words into text.
- Special keyboards/controllers: Make using computers easier.
- Brain-controlled devices: Help move arms and legs.
Themes of technology challenges
• Old problems in a new context: crime, violence
• Adapting to new technology: thinking in a new way
• Varied sources of solutions to problems: natural part of change and life
• Global reach of Net: ease of communication with distant countries
Ethics
Question: What is ethics?
Ethics is about figuring out what it means to "do the right thing." It assumes that people
can think and make choices. Ethics gives us rules for how to act and treat others well.
Q: What are Deontological Theories?
Deontological theories are about following rules, like "don't lie," no matter what happens.
An action is right if it follows these rules. For example, if someone wants to hurt someone
else and asks you where they are, it’s wrong to lie to protect the victim.
Q: What is Utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism is about looking at the results of actions. The goal is to make the most
people happy. An action is good if it creates more happiness for more people, even if it
might make some people unhappy.
Q: What are Natural Rights?
Natural rights are basic rights everyone has, like the right to live, be free, and own things.
An action is wrong if it takes away these rights from someone. It's important to let people
make their own choices without interference, even if we think we know what's best for
them.
Q: What are negative rights, what obligation do they impose on others, and what are
some examples?
Negative rights are the rights to act without interference from others. The only obligation
these rights impose is that others cannot stop you from acting. Examples include the right
to life (not being killed), the right to be free from assault, the right to use your property, the
right to use your skills to create goods and services, and the right to trade with others.
Q: What are positive rights, what do they mean for people, and what are different opinions
about them?
Positive rights are the idea that some people have to provide things like food or medical
care for those who need help. For example, helping poor countries get Internet access
could be seen as a positive right. Some people think that everyone should have these
rights for true freedom, while others believe that enforcing these rights can take away
individual freedoms, so it's important to protect negative rights too.
Q: What is the Golden Rule?**
The Golden Rule says you should treat others how you want to be treated. It means
respecting people and their choices, just like you want them to respect you.
Q: What does it mean to contribute to society?
Contributing to society means doing your work honestly and well. It’s about being a good
person, helping others, and doing things like charity or being a skilled professional.
Q: Do organizations have ethics?
Yes, organizations can have their own ethics. The people in the organization are the ones
making decisions, so we can hold both the individuals and the organization responsible.
Q:What are some important things to think about in ethics?
Some key things are knowing the difference between right and wrong, and between doing
something bad and just causing harm. We also need to separate the goals we want to
achieve from the rules we have to follow. And we have to think about how our own
personal likes and dislikes relate to ethics.
CHAPTER 2 notes
What is Privacy?
Privacy is about protecting your personal space and information from others. It means
you have control over your personal details and activities.
What are the important parts of privacy?
1. Being left alone
2. Controlling your own information
3. Not being watched or tracked
What are the main threats to privacy?
- Unauthorized use of your information
- Sharing by people inside an organization
- Stealing your information
- Accidental leaks
How do new technologies affect privacy?
New technologies can make our privacy more at risk.
1-Search engines collect a lot of data every day to show ads and create services. We
should care because we might not know who can see this information.
2-Smartphones and location apps can share your data without you knowing, which can
harm your privacy.
What are the main risks of using technology?
1. Everything we do online is recorded.
2. A lot of data is stored without people knowing.
3. Software can be complicated, and leaks can happen.
4. Small pieces of data can create a full picture of us.
5. It’s easy to re-identify people because of all the information available.
6. If information is on a public website, anyone can see it.
7. Data on the Internet can last a long time.
8. Data collected for one reason can be used for others.
9. Governments can ask for personal data from companies.
10. We rely on businesses to protect our information.
Terminology
Q: What is "opt out" consent?
A: "Opt out" means that a person has to request not to have their information used,
usually by checking a box.
Q: What is "opt in" consent?
A: "Opt in" means that the person must give explicit permission for their information to be
used, usually by checking a box.
Q: Have you seen opt-in and opt-out choices? Where? How were they worded?
A: Yes, I've seen opt-in and opt-out choices on websites and apps. They were often
worded like this: "Check this box to receive updates" (opt-in) or "Uncheck this box if you
do not want your data shared" (opt-out).
Q: Were any of them deceptive?
A: Sometimes, the wording can be confusing or tricky, making it hard to tell what I’m
agreeing to or refusing.
Q: What are some common elements of privacy policies you have read?
• What information is collected
• How the information is used
• Who the information is shared with
• How to access or change your information
• How to opt out or opt in for data sharing
Q: What are fair information principles?
• Tell people when you collect their information.
• Only collect what you really need.
• Let people opt out if they want.
• Keep data only as long as needed.
• Protect the data from being lost or stolen.
• Have rules for sharing data with the police.
Q: What are the key problems with new technologies?
Much of our personal information is stored in large databases that we can't control.
New technologies let the government search our homes and people from a distance
without us knowing.
Q: What rules should we have for the government using technology?
We should make rules that say the government needs a good reason to access personal
data and that they have to follow strict guidelines to protect our privacy.
Q: When should the government be allowed to use technology without a search
warrant?
The government might be allowed to do this in emergencies, like if there’s a danger to
people, but there should still be rules to make sure they don’t misuse it.
Should event organizers use cameras at places where there might be terrorist
threats?
Cameras can help keep people safe, but they might also invade privacy. Organizers
should think about the good and bad sides and make sure the cameras are used legally.
Should event organizers check if people have unpaid parking tickets?
No, checking for unpaid parking tickets isn’t important for safety. Unpaid tickets don’t
have anything to do with terrorist threats, and checking them would invade people's
privacy. Organizers should focus on real safety issues, not small problems like parking
tickets.
What tools help protect our privacy online?
• Privacy Software: Programs that block cookies, stop trackers, and keep data safe.
• Blocking Ads: Makes browsing better but can hurt websites that need ads for free
services.
• Encryption: Keeps data safe so only allowed people can access it.
• Business Tools and Policies: Companies must protect personal data by law.
What is the free market view on privacy?
• Individual Freedom: People should be free to choose how their personal data is used.
• Informed Consent: Organizations should be clear about how they use data and
responsible if something goes wrong.
• Minimal Regulation: Markets can adjust to what people want without strict laws.
• Concern About Regulation: Too many rules can limit new ideas and choices.
• Privacy as a Commodity: Privacy can be traded, and people are responsible for their
choices.
• Free Flow of Information: Supports using information that is obtained fairly without
breaking any rights.
What is the consumer protection view on privacy?
• Need for Regulations: Strong laws are needed to stop data misuse.
• Protection from Abuse: Consumers might not understand the risks, and self-regulation
isn’t enough.
• Power Imbalance: Individuals have less power compared to big companies.
• Privacy as Right: Privacy is seen as a basic right that needs legal protection.
• Modern Challenges: Personal data spreads widely and can be hard to control
Chapter 3 notes
Freedom of Expression: A fundamental human right crucial for democracy and open
societies.
Question: How do free speech principles apply to new communication technologies
worldwide?
• Challenges in applying traditional laws to digital platforms.
• Importance of adapting principles to protect rights in the digital age.
What are the principles of free speech?
• Protecting Ideas:Important for helping society grow,Encourages different thoughts and
new ideas.
• Forms of Expression:Includes speaking, writing, art, and online things like social media
posts and videos
4 balancing regulation and freedom:
1. Harmful Content:- Stop bad speech, violence, and lies.
2. Private Companies: - Platforms set rules and moderate - Difference between
government and private policies.
3. Liability of service providers: - Clarify what companies are responsible for with user
content. - Allow free expression while addressing illegal activities.
4. Global Laws: - Different laws across countries challenge platforms. - Need universal
rights protection
What are the main ideas about adapting to the digital world?
• Envolving legal approaches:Updating laws to match the digital world.Making sure rights
are protected no matter the medium.
• Supporting Free expression:Keeping free speech important for people's
growth.Recognizing the internet as a key place for this freedom.
• Conclusion:Balancing rules with protecting basic rights is an ongoing challenge.
Needs involvement from governments, communities, and individuals.Aiming for a future
where technology helps free expression worldwide.
Controlling speech (alternatives to censorship)
• Filters =Blocks sites with specific words, phrases or images ,Parental control (like violence).
• policies=Protect members and create a safe environment in online communities and social
networking sites.Helps prevent minors from accessing inappropriate material.
• Spam =Emails you didn't ask for, mostly ads.It's annoying and wastes your time.
• Free speech =free speech does not require anyone to listen
Policies of Large Companies
Search Engines=
Show All Results?: No, they don't have to show everything.
Remove Bad Sites?:Yes, they should remove very bad sites.
Posting Online
• Be Careful: Think about what might happen when you post online.
• Who's Watching?: Remember that people you don't know might see what you post.
• Keep it Private: Try to keep your stuff private if you don't want everyone to see it.
Leaks
Leaks are when secret information is shared without permission. They can show bad
behavior but can also raise questions about what's right or wrong.Sharing private
information online isn't allowed, even if it's important.But leaking can be okay if the reason
is really serious.
Websites need to be careful about leaks.They must keep the site safe for people.They
should have a plan for dealing with the police.They have to check if leaked documents are
real.The main idea is that websites have important jobs to do when there are leaks, to
protect everyone.
Does the value of informing the public of controversial and sensitive information
outweigh the dangers and risks?
On one side, people should know if something important is happening, especially if it
might be wrong. Leaks can help make sure the government is doing the right thing.
On the other side, leaks can be dangerous. They might hurt people's safety or privacy.
Sharing secret info can cause problems.So, it really depends on the situation. Sometimes
it's good to share the info, and sometimes it might be too risky.
Where is anonymity appropriate on the Internet?
Anonymity is good for sharing political ideas, reporting bad behavior, getting help for
sensitive issues, and protecting people who might be bullied.
What kinds of websites should stop anonymity?
Websites for banking, selling illegal stuff, and ones that allow mean comments should not
allow people to be anonymous.
Where should laws stop anonymity on the Internet?
Laws should stop anonymity for criminal investigations, in places like banks and
hospitals, and for websites used by kids to keep them safe.
Net neutrality
Net neutrality means that all websites and online things get treated the same on the
internet. Internet providers can't make some things faster or slower than others.
For example, an internet provider can't make their own video service run faster, while
slowing down a different video service. Everything has to be fair.
People who support net neutrality think it's important to keep the internet open and free.
1. Should companies be allowed to exclude or favor certain content?
Many people say no. They believe that all content should be treated equally so that
everyone has a fair chance online. Favoring certain content can lead to unfair advantages
and limit choices for users.
2. Should companies offer different speeds for different prices?
Some people think this is okay because it can help improve the internet. But others worry
that only rich people would get the best service, which isn’t fair.