Computer ethics
By Becky
@StLouisMetroTutoring (678)
St. Peters, Missouri
December 30, 2012 9:45pm CST
This is a topic of great interest to me. With the growth of computers comes more questions about the "right" way to behave. One of the fundamental computer ethics questions I have is regarding privacy. Is it OK for the government to look into our private e-mails without our permission if the purpose is to protect us? What if they could look into private e-mails and stop terrorist attacks before they occur? Would you be willing to give up your privacy for security?
What do you say, fellow mylotters? What's your opinion on this? What computer ethics questions do you think about - or do you? Am I the only nut that thinks this stuff is important? Tell us your thoughts!
5 responses
@urbandekay (18278)
•
31 Dec 12
I think emails should be regarded as private conversations or letters
all the best, urban
@StLouisMetroTutoring (678)
• St. Peters, Missouri
3 Jan 13
What do you think about the Communications Data bill? They still wouldn't get to read the whole thing. But police, intelligence services, other governmental departments would have access - without a warrant - to the details of the communication. They would have access to information like who sent the e-mail, who received the e-mail, both ISP addresses, and the timestamps of when the e-mail was sent and when it was received. Would this be okay?
@urbandekay (18278)
•
4 Jan 13
A policeman may listen to a conversation if he overhears it but if those in the conversation take steps to keep it secret, it remains such.
So, it should be with emails, etc. where they are intended to be private, so, without a specific court order, they should remain
all the best, urban
@urbandekay (18278)
•
4 Jan 13
I do not know enough about the specific details of your bill to comment directly on it but the principle I set out above should be sufficient to decide the matter
all the best, urban
@Zer0Stats (1147)
• India
3 Jan 13
Absolutely not plus we can't be lucky 100% of the time,no matter how many rights anyone gives up,willingly or otherwise.The terrorists will find a way.Resolving the issue is the only way to be safe.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
31 Dec 12
I do not view computer ethics any differently than I view the ethical approach to any other medium. The government and it's various departments have a responsibility to protect the interests of the general populace, which gives them a certain level of authority. However, this authority is limited and should be restricted to the guidelines set out by society and law.
An example of acceptable would be the tracing of people who are downloading illegal material, which is really no different than the police investigating any other crime.
An example of non acceptable action would certainly be the one that you have mentioned, which is intercepting private emails. An email is a personal transmission from one member of the public to another and should have the same privacy as a letter would have. Most countries have laws against intercepting private mail, unless the authorities can acquire a court order to intercept on the grounds of security. I see no reason why emails do not fall into the same category.
@StLouisMetroTutoring (678)
• St. Peters, Missouri
3 Jan 13
How would they know who is downloading illegal material? Is it OK for them to monitor our computers? Are you familiar with the Communications Data bill in the UK? The draft was available for publication of December 11, 2012. Doesn't allow for the reading of actual content of the e-mails without a warrant, but it allows for the collection of data from all e-mails either originating in or going to the UK. They would be able to collect the names of both the sender and receiver, both IP addresses, and the timestamps of when the e-mail was sent and when it was received. Does this constitute unacceptable?
@vernaC (1491)
• Romania
31 Dec 12
For me it's ok since I have nothing to hide or be ashamed of in my emails. But since we are speaking for ethics, at least they should ask for permission first because this is personal. And I'm sure in this modern world, simple emails won't be the terorrit's option. Like what we see in movies, the messages are might also be encrypted.
@StLouisMetroTutoring (678)
• St. Peters, Missouri
3 Jan 13
Romania seems to have stricter privacy laws than most countries. You have a law that has been in force now for 4-5 years that requires the collection of data from private e-mails (law 298/2008). But it still requires court permission for investigators to view it.
@StLouisMetroTutoring (678)
• St. Peters, Missouri
3 Jan 13
How far should that privacy go? What should be private? Generally speaking, China doesn't have much specifically about computers and privacy. But are you aware of proposed privacy rules (I'm not sure if they were ever enacted or not - maybe you know?) that put severe restrictions on transferring data between companies? It would cause major issues if a company outside China outsourced to China. Personal information would not be allowed to be exchanged. Too much privacy? What if the insistence on privacy interferes with normal business operations?
