Computers, Information Technology, the Internet, Ethics, Society and Human Values

Philip Pecorino, Ph.D.

Queensborough Community College,  CUNY

Chapter 2 Computers and Ethics

Cases

1.Copying

Someone S has some music files purchased from a site on the internet offering such files for downloading.  This person offers them to a friend F who uses computer technology to make copies for the personal use of F.

2. Data Mining

A commercial company selling items on the internet wants to build a search program for data mining to gain information about its customers so that it might market more goods and services to them.  It plans to  sell the data gathered to other commercial businesses selling products and services not in competition with its own.

3.Using aliases

Person A uses an alias and enters chat rooms and bulletin boards to post information about Person B and to gain information about Person B to be used in a relationship  that A hopes to develop with B.

4.The Myth of Amoral Computer Programming

A programmer for a large investment firm wants to develop a program that will make investment decisions based on data entered into the program automatically each day from various markets.  Who or what would be held accountable and responsible for investments that lose money?

 

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Web Surfer's Caveat: These are class notes, intended to comment on readings and amplify class discussion. They should be read as such. They are not intended for publication or general distribution. ppecorino@qcc.cuny.edu                @copyright 2006 Philip A. Pecorino                       

Last updated 8-2006                                                              Return to Table of Contents