Ethical Issues in Electronic Information Systems

 1. Introduction

  A New Technology Creates New Ethical Dilemmas

• The Importance of Ethics in Information Systems

 

• Ethics Fill the Gap as Legal Decisions Lag Behind Technology

 

• Ethical Issues Specific to Electronic Systems

  Introduction: A Network Defined

• Networks as Sources of Power

 

• Networks as Social Places

 

• New Funding Sources Mean New Ethical Issues

 

• Some Essays About the Internet

  Netiquette

• How to Behave on the Networks: Remember Where You Are
• Some Activities That Will Offend
• Some Simple Guidelines
• Some Sources on Netiquette

• Different Networks Have Different Policies
• Written Policies Outline Permissions and Restrictions
• Policies from NSFNET and Others

• Export Restrictions Apply But Clear Guidelines Are Lacking
• Some General Principles to Follow
• Example: Encryption Codes
• Example: Network Access to Hardware

• Existing Law is Challenged by Electronic Information Systems
• Existing U.S. Copyright Law Provides Some Guidance
• Who Is Responsible for Copyright Protection?: Carriers vs. Providers
• How is Work Created on a Network Protected?
• E-mail
• Usenet Postings
• Computer programs
• For Further Information on Copyright Laws

  Why is Access Important?

  Three Key Issues in Debate

• What principle will guide access?: Private initiative vs. universal service
• How will the networks be structured?: Controlled vs. open infrastructure
• What will be allowed on the networks?: Free speech vs. decency standards
• Communities without borders: Whose standards apply?
• International issues

5. Privacy and Electronic Networks

  A Counterpoint to Open Access: What Others Know About You

  Challenges to Privacy by Individuals

  Challenges to Privacy by Companies

• Selling Information
• Monitoring Employees

• Governmental databases
• Search and seizure law threatens privacy

6. Electronic Databases

  Electronic Format Changes the Way Information is Used

  Data Mosaics

  Inadvertent Consequences of Data Sharing

• Example: Propagating errors with data sharing
• Example: Propensity profiles

  GIS Also Create New Sets of Data

  Conflicting Responsibilities: Serve and Protect

• GIS Information is Often Public Information and Agencies Like to Share Costs
• Access to Public Information vs. Privacy
• Access to Public Information vs. New Demands on Public Agencies
• What's a public record? What are agencies required to provide?
• What's a reasonable search?
• May user fees be charged?
• Must agencies provide records on paper or in digital format?

  Knowing is Destroying

  Some Sources on Electronic Databases and GIS (Ethical Issues)

 8. Examination and Study Questions

Last revised 30 September 1997. RRR.