Ethics, Rules, and Laws

Using the computer appropriately.

S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

What are ethics

Standards of right and wrong behavior A gauge of personal integrity The basis of trust and cooperation in relationships with others

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What are ethics not?

Laws that carry a criminal penalty Detailed instructions for every possible situation Flexible and changing depending on each unique person or situation

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Where do ethics come from?

Values of a society Values of a school, business, or organization Values from family and heritage Values of an individual

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An ethical person . . .
Has an inner sense of what is moral and

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is able to choose correct behavior in many different situations, including those that are new and different.

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What follows an unethical choice?

Lost opportunities Destruction of trust Damage to people and things And . . . ?

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Ethics vs. morality

Morality refers to the rules and standards governing our conduct in society. Ethics: The philosophical study of morality.
Analogy: Society= a town full of people driving car Morality is the road network, the traffic rules and regulations Ethics is the observation and evaluation of the drivers conduct:

Ethical (staying on the road) or unethical (taking short cuts, speeding, drunk driving etc).
S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

What is Computer Ethics?

An attempt at definitions:

Computer ethics is concerned with standards of conduct applying to the use of computers. Computer ethics can be understood as that branch of applied ethics which studies and analyzes social and ethical impacts of information technology.
S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

Why do we need computer ethics?

New technology poses new problems. The growth of the Internet has created several new legal issues Traditional laws are outdated/anachronistic in cyberspace Some main concerns in computer ethics today are

questions of copyright privacy censorship My MSc. thesis was copied and parts were published under a different name. Is this something I should anticipate since I published my work on the Internet without any copyright restrictions?
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Example:

Basic Ethical Principles

The same in all professions and other aspects of life

Honesty Responsibility Fairness Tolerance Example: In Poland it is unethical to throw away bread.

There are cultural differences.

Ethics change with the times and a change in laws

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New technology = new ethical problems

Traditional rules of conduct are not always applicable to a new medium

A question that often arises: Should a device, a technique or technology be restricted because people can use it for illegal or harmful actions as well as beneficial ones? Example

Mobile phones now come equipped with cameras. It can be misused in several ways and cause a moral threat to the society, children and teen agers, speacialy the students. Question : Should students be allowed to take their mobile phones to school or not?
S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

THOU SHALT NOT USE A COMPUTER TO HARM OTHER PEOPLE.

THOU SHALT NOT INTERFERE WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPUTER WORK. THOU SHALT NOT SNOOP AROUND IN OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPUTER FILES. THOU SHALT NOT USE A COMPUTER TO STEAL. THOU SHALT NOT USE A COMPUTER TO BEAR FALSE WITNESS. THOU SHALT NOT COPY OR USE PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE FOR WHICH YOU HAVE NOT PAID. THOU SHALT NOT USE OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPUTER RESOURCES WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION OR PROPER COMPENSATION.

8.
9.

THOU SHALT NOT APPROPRIATE OTHER PEOPLE'S INTELLECTUAL OUTPUT.

THOU SHALT THINK ABOUT THE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROGRAM YOU ARE WRITING OR THE SYSTEM YOU ARE DESIGNING. THOU SHALT ALWAYS USE A COMPUTER IN WAYS THAT INSURE CONSIDERATION AND RESPECT FOR YOUR FELLOW HUMANS.

10.

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INTERNET ETHICS AND OBJECTIONABLE MATERIALS

Three categories of objectionable material

Pornographic material Racist literature Illegal acts Incorrect, inappropriate, or dangerous material Inaccurate information

S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

What are rules

Specific guidelines about appropriate use of computers as outlined in . . .

Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) Professional Codes of Ethics Classroom Disclosures

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with . . .
consequences and punishments issued by the computer owners if rules are violated.

This way to AUP

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S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

What are laws

Regulations passed by state and federal bodies that protect against some forms of misuse of computers and information resources.

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So what if I break the law?

You may not be discovered, this time, but next time . . .
A serial number may be traced A help line may become suspicious An acquaintance may report you A web address may record your visits And more . . .

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And just like that, youre a criminal . . .

with a record and maybe a fine and maybe even a jail sentence when youre convicted of breaking the law.

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Copyright laws.
Software developers own their programs. Software buyers only own the right to use the software according to the license agreement. No copying, reselling, lending, renting, leasing, or distributing is legal without the software owners permission.
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Copyright vs. Plagiarism

Copyright

Plagiarism

One who violates copyright breaks laws that protect the rights of the creator of an original work Violation of copyright law may results in fines, imprisonment, or both

One who plagiarizes breaks a moral code by claiming credit for the work of someone else
Plagiarism may result in academic dismissal or loss of job.

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Software licenses: Four types

Public

Domain Freeware Shareware All Rights Reserved

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Public Domain License

This software has no owner and is not protected by copyright law. It was either created with public funds, or the ownership was forfeited by the creator.

Rare Unreliable Poor quality Virus-laden No cost? That may be exactly how much this software is worth.
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Freeware License
Freeware is copyrighted software that is licensed to be copied and distributed without charge. Freeware is free because the license says it is, but its still under the owners control. Some freeware is really good stuff.

Pegasus Mail Eudora Light Netscape Internet Explorer

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Shareware License
The software is licensed for copying and sharing for a trial period, but payment must be made to the owner for permanent use.

Some shareware trials expire on a certain date Payment depends on the honor system Purchasing (the right to use) the software may also get you a version with more powerful features and published documentation.
S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

All Rights Reserved License

May be used by the purchaser according the exact details spelled out in the license agreement.

You cant legally use it--or even possess it-without the owners permission.

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Excerpts from QuarkXPress software license agreement

The software and accompanying documentation may not be transmitted electronically, including over the Internet, rented, loaned, leased, sold, distributed, made available, directly or indirectly, for USE by any other person or entity not covered by this License Agreement.

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Even if you can. Even if no one will ever find out. Follow the license agreement or you will be breaking the law.

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Software piracy.
Conviction of a first offense can result in a fine of up to 250,000.

and a jail sentence of up to five years.

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S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

Laws about nuisance or harassment.

It doesnt matter if your intention was to be funny, or friendly, or something else. If the person you contact through the Internet is uncomfortable,

Or its illegal.
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Laws concerning fraud or plagiarism.

Individuals who create intellectual property have the right to receive credit

Owners of recorded works deserve to be protected from the incorrect use of their creations

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Be sure to give credit where credit is due. Cite borrowed material with textual citations and a references slide using an accepted format. Use material in a way that preserves the meaning and context intended by the author

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Laws about vandalism.

Attempts to harm or destroy data or hardware of another user, agency, or network can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

Laws about privacy.

Private information cannot be legally used without permission from its owner. Information is owned by the person it describes. Medical records and school grades are protected by privacy laws.
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Other categories of personal information have become more public in recent years. Courts have not set a consistent precedent to preserve the privacy of your full name, address, telephone numbers, debts you owe, court judgments against you, courses youve taken, and police actions relating to you.

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Be ethical. Dont share personal information without that persons permission.

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Always consider ethics, rules, and laws as you choose how to behave when using computers.

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S. Agarwal, St. Xaviers College, Kolkata