Ethical Dilemmas in IT (Technology)
These are tough choices people face when using technology.
- Surveillance vs. Privacy
- Governments and companies may watch people to keep them safe, but this can also take away personal privacy.
- Example: Security cameras and online tracking can help prevent crime, but they also collect personal data.
- Automation vs. Jobs
- Machines and AI can do jobs faster and cheaper, but they also take away jobs from people.
- Example: Self-checkout machines replace cashiers in stores.
- Access vs. Control
- Technology should be available to everyone, but it also needs rules to prevent misuse.
- Example: The internet provides knowledge, but it can also spread false information.
Ethical Frameworks in IT
These are different ways to decide what is right or wrong in technology.
- Utilitarianism (Doing the greatest good for the most people)
- Decisions should help the most people, even if some are affected negatively.
- Example: Using people's health data to improve medicine, even if it means less privacy.
- Deontology (Following strict moral rules)
- Some things are always wrong, no matter the outcome.
- Example: Never sharing personal data without permission, even if it could help others.
- Virtue Ethics (Being a good person)
- Focuses on doing the right thing based on honesty, kindness, and integrity.
- Example: A programmer chooses not to create a misleading app, even if it makes money.
