Ethical Aspects of Information Technologies

Ethical Aspects of Information Technologies

Abstract

Information and communication technologies are invading all aspects of human existence and are challenging many individual and social values. Computer technologies and Internet have created possibilities at global level for individuals and organizations that were not available before. Many ethical questions have arisen because changes are affecting human relationships, social institutions and basic moral notions. Through this paper, I will explain some ethical issues related to the information technologies.

Ethical Aspects of Information Technologies

Every advance in information technology (IT) is accompanied by at least one ethical quandary. From Facebook to email updates, computer users are unaware of the fine balance between ethics and profit struck by providers. Digital technology affects how we work, play, communicate and shop, and challenges us to think about ethical problems in new ways. Software developers, businesses and individuals must think about the rights and wrongs of using information technology every day.

There are many definitions of the ethics of information technology (EI), “the more restrictive definition of EI is considered as the discipline that examines ethical issues that are created by computer technology and acts that are processed or aggravated by IT” (Soni, 2009) another definition is “the analysis of the nature and social impact of computer technology and the corresponding formulation and justification of policies for ethical use of such technology” (Soni, 2009). The lack of a clear definition is mainly due to the complexity of the ethics of information technology, is dynamic and complex, because EI consider facts, policies and values ​​that are constantly changing.

Professions such as law and medicine have a codified set of ethics its practitioners are expected to honor. No such codification exists for IT. Technology professionals generally abide by personal codes of...