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Republic of the Philippines

MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE

San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

1ST SEMESTER, S.Y. 2024 – 2025

Instructional Manual in
SOCIAL PROFESSIONAL ISSUES 1

NAME OF STUDENT: ___________________________________________________

YEAR / SECTION: ______________________________________________________
DATE RECEIVED: ______________________________________________________
 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

I. OVERVIEW
In this chapter, you will learn about Computer Ethics which is part of practical
philosophy concerned with how computing professionals should make decisions
regarding professional and social conduct.

II. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In this learning module, the learners are expected to:
1. State the Code of Ethics of Filipino IT Professionals.
2. Apply the Principles formulated by the Association of Computing Machinery in
dealing with other people, in making judgments, in software designs, and all
other dealings in the exercise of the IT profession.
3. Identify problems in a work scenario.
4. Manifest ethical thinking skills in analyzing and justifying computing issues.

III. GUIDE QUESTIONS / ACTIVITIES

1. What are the responsibilities of professional ethics?
2. What is the relationship and difference between ethical and professional
responsibilities?
3. How does ethics impact your personal and future professional lives?

IV. LESSON PROPER

COMPUTER ETHICS
PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS
Professional code of ethics is a set of guidelines that are designed to set out
the acceptable behavior of members of a particular group, association, or profession.

A professional code of ethics states the principles and core values that are
essential to the work of a particular occupational group. Practitioners in many
professions subscribe to a code of ethics that governs their behavior. For example,
doctors adhere to varying versions of the 2000-year-old Hippocratic Oath, which
medical schools offer as an affirmation to their graduating classes. Most codes of ethics
created by professional organizations have two main parts: a) outline what the
organization aspires to become, and b) typically list rules and principles by which
members of the organization are expected to abide. Many codes also include a
commitment to continuing education for those who practice the profession.

Laws do not provide a complete guide to ethical behavior. Just because an

activity is not defined as illegal does not mean it is ethical. You also cannot expect a
professional code of ethics to provide an answer to every ethical dilemma – no code
can be a definitive collection of behavioral standards. However, following a professional
code of ethics can produce many benefits for the individual, the profession, and society
as a whole:

1. Ethical Decision-Making: Adherence to a professional code of ethics means

that practitioners use a common set of core values and beliefs as a guideline for
ethical decision-making.

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 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

2. High Standards of Practice and Ethical Behavior: adherence to a code of

ethics reminds professionals of the responsibilities and duties they may be
tempted to compromise to meet the pressures of day-to-day business. The code
also defines acceptable and unacceptable behaviors to guide professionals in
their interactions with others. Strong codes of ethics have procedures for
censuring professionals for serious violations, with penalties that can include the
loss of the right to practice. Such codes are the exception, however, and few
exist in the IT arena.
3. Trust and Respect from the General Public: public trust is built on the
expectation that a professional will behave ethically. People must often depend
on the integrity and good judgments of a professional to tell the truth, abstain
from giving self-serving advice, and offer warnings about the potential negative
side effects of their actions. Thus, adherence to a code of ethics enhances trust
and respect for professionals and their profession.
4. Evaluation Benchmark: a code of ethics provides an evaluation benchmark that
a professional can also use the code for recognition or censure.

Code of Ethics of the Filipino IT Professionals

1. I will promote public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Information
Technology.
2. I will consider the general welfare public welfare and public good in the
performance of my work.
3. I will advertise goods or professional services in a clear and truthful manner.
4. I will comply and strictly abide by the intellectual property laws, patent laws, and
other related laws in respect of Information Technology.
5. I will accept the full responsibility for the work undertaken and utilize my skills
with competence and professionalism.
6. I will make truthful statements on my areas of competence as well as the
capabilities and qualities of my product and services.
7. I will not disclose or use any confidential information obtained in the course of
professional duties without the consent of the parties concerned except when
required by the laws.
8. I will strive to attain the highest quality in both the products and services that
offer.
9. I will knowingly participate in the development of the Information Technology.
10. I will uphold and improve the IT professional’s standard through continuing
profession in order to enhance the IT profession.

Code of Ethics of Association of Information Technology Professionals

I acknowledge:
That I have obligation to management, therefore, I shall promote the understanding
of information processing methods and procedures to management using every
resource at my command.

That I have an obligation to my fellow members, therefore, I shall uphold the high
ideals of AITP as outlined in the Association Bylaws. Further, I shall cooperate with my
fellow members and shall treat them with honesty and respect at all times.

That I have an obligation to society and I will participate to the best of my ability in the
dissemination of knowledge pertaining to the general development and understanding
of information processing. Further, I shall not use knowledge of a confidential nature to

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 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

further my personal interest, nor shall I violate the privacy and confidentiality of
information entrusted to me or to which I may gain access.

That I have an obligation to my College or University, therefore, I shall uphold its

ethical and moral principles.

That I have an obligation to my employer whose trust I hold, therefore, I shall

endeavor to discharge this obligation to the best of my ability, to guard my employer’s
interests, and to advise him or her wisely and honestly.

I accept these obligations as a personal responsibility and as a member of this

Association. I shall actively discharge these obligations and I dedicate myself to that
end.

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments of computer ethics have been defined by the Computer
Ethics Institute. Here is our interpretation of them:

1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.

2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people’s files.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid.
7. Thou shalt not use other people’s computer resources without authorization.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people’s intellectual output.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write.
10. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect.

The Hacking Community’s Constitution

1. We believe: that every individual should have the right to free speech in cyber
space.
2. We believe: that every individual should be free of worry when pertaining to
oppressive governments that control cyber space.
3. We believe: that democracy should exist in cyber space to set a clear example
as to how a functioning element of society can prosper with equal rights and free
speech to all.
4. We believe: that hacking is a tool that should and is used to test the integrity of
networks that hold and safe guard our valuable information.
5. We believe: those sovereign countries in the world community that do not respect
democracy should be punished.
6. We believe: that art, music, politics, and crucial social elements of all world
societies can be achieved on the computer and in cyber space.
7. We believe: that hacking, cracking, and phreaking are instruments that can
achieve three crucial goals:
a. Direct Democracy in cyber space.
b. The belief that information should be free to all.

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 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

c. The idea that one test and know the dangers and exploits of systems that
store the individuals’ information.
8. We believe: that cyber space should be a governing body in the world
community, where people of all nations and cultures an express their ideas and
beliefs as to how our world politics should be played.
9. We believe: that there should be no governing social or political class or party in
cyber space.
10. We believe: that the current status of the internet is a clear example as to how
many races, cultures, and people can communicate freely and without friction or
conflict.
11. We believe: in free enterprise and friction free capitalism.
12. We believe: in the open-source movement fully, as no government should adopt
commercial or priced software for it shows that a government may be biased to
something that does not prompt the general welfare of the technology market
and slows or stops the innovation of other smaller company’s products.
13. We believe: that technology can be wielded for the better placement of mankind
and the environment we live in.
14. We believe: that all sovereign countries in the world community should respect
these principles and ideas released in this constitution.

The above declared constitution is like the bill of rights which should be read in
relation to the Ten Commandments.

What is Computer Ethics?

It is a new branch of ethics that is growing and changing rapidly as computer
technology also grows and develops. The term “computer ethics” is open to
interpretations both broad and narrow. On one hand, for example, computer ethics
might be understood very narrowly as the efforts of professional philosophers to
apply traditional ethical theories like Utilitarianism, Kantianism, or other moral
theories to issues regarding the use of computer technology. On the other hand, it is
possible to construe computer ethics in a very broad way to include, as well,
standards of professional practice, codes of conduct, aspects of computer law,
public policy, corporate ethics even certain topics in the sociology and psychology
and psychology of computing.

In the industrialized nations of the world, the information revolution” already has
significantly altered many aspects of life – in baking and commerce, work and
employment, medical care, national defense, transportation and entertainment.
Consequently, information technology has begun to affect (in both good and bad
ways) community life, family life, human relationships, education, freedom,
democracy, and so on. Computer ethics in the broadest sense can be understood as
that branch of applied ethics which studies and analyzes such social and ethical
impacts of information technology.

Problem in Computer Ethics

A typical problem in Computer Ethics arises because there is a policy vacuum
about how computer technology should be used. Computers provide us with new
capabilities and these situations exist or existing policies seem inadequate. A central
task of Computer Ethics is to determine what we should do in such cases, that is,
formulate policies to guide our actions. One difficulty is that along with a policy
vacuum there is often a conceptual vacuum. Although a problem in Computer Ethics

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 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

may seem clear initially, a little reflection reveals a conceptual muddle. What is
needed in such cases is an analysis that provides a coherent conceptual framework
a policy for action.(Moor 1985 p.266)

Computers are logically malleable in that they can be shaped and molded to do
any activity that can be characterized in terms of inputs, outputs and connecting
logical operations. Because logic applies everywhere, the potential applications of
computer technology appear limitless. The computer is the nearest thing we have to
a universal tool. Indeed, the limits of computers are largely the limits of our own
creativity. (Ibid)

Moor argues that computer ethics is unique because computers have certain
properties that raise unique issues and, according to Moor there are three properties
that make computers a special case:

Logical Malleability:
Computers can be shaped and molded to perform any activity that can be
characterized in terms of inputs, outputs and connecting logical operations. This is in
contrast to the majority of manufactured products. For example, a car, a television or
refrigerator has well-defined and quite specific functions.

The logic of computers, however, can be shaped in infinite ways through

changes in hardware and software and in terms of their usage. This enables
computer-based technologies to exhibit tremendous flexibility. Moor writes:

Just as the power of steam engine was the raw resource of the Industrial Revolution so the logic
of a computer is a raw of the Information Revolution. Because the logic applies everywhere, the
potential applications of computer technology appear limitless. The computer is the nearest thing
we have to a universal tool, the limits of computers are largely the limits of our own creativity.

Impact on Society:
The extensive impact of computerization on society is clear. Naturally, in 1985,
when Moor wrote his paper, relatively few could foresee the extent of that impact, nor
did anyone envisage the Internet and the World Wide Web. Moor did, however, foresee
the changing workplace, and the nature of work:

Computers have been used for years by businesses to expedite routine work, such as calculating
payrolls. However, as personal computers become widespread and allow executives to work at
home, as robots do more and more factory work, the emerging question will not be merely How
well do computers help us work? But What is the Nature of the work?

Invisibility Factor:
An important fact about computers is that most of the time, and under most
conditions, computer operations are invisible. Moor identifies three kinds of invisibility
that can have ethical significance:

1. Invisible Abuse: Moor describes this as: “the intentional use of the invisible
operations of a computer to engage in unethical conduct.” He cites an example:
The programmer realized he could steal excess interest from a bank.
When interest on a bank account is calculated, there is often a faction of a

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 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

cent left over after rounding off. This programmer instructed a computer to
deposit these fractions of a cent into his own account.

The invasion of the property and privacy of others, computers can be

programmed to surreptitiously remove or alter confidential information.

2. Invisible Programming Values: these are values which, according to Moor, are
embedded into a computer program:

A programmer makes some value judgments about what is important and

what is not. These values become embedded in the final product and may
be invisible to someone who runs the program.

3. Invisible Complex Calculation: in this context, Moor writes:

Computers today are capable of enormous calculations beyond human
comprehension. Even if a program is understood, it does not follow that
the respective calculations are understood. Computers today
perform….calculations that are too complex for human inspection and
understanding.

He argues that the issue is how much we should trust computer’s invisible
calculation. This becomes a significant issue as the consequences grow in
importance.

Moral Responsibilities of Computer Professionals

Some ethicists believe that all professionals, regardless of their practice, have
special moral obligations as professionals. For example, Michael Bayles (2003) argues
that professionals have a special obligation to their clients to be worthy of a client’s
trust, and this, Bayle’s further suggests, leads to obligations of honesty, candor,
competence, diligence, loyalty and discretion. In Bayle’s scheme, all professionals who
work in the computing field would be bound to similar standards of obligations to their
clients, regardless of their specific professional type.

Many computer professionals are software engineers or members of software

engineering teams. Gootterbarn (2001) believes that because software engineers and
their teams are responsible for developing safety-critical systems, they have significant
opportunities to:

 Do good or cause harm

 Enable others to do good or cause harm
 Influence others to do good or cause harm

Social Networking Sites

The Philippines is still the Social Media Capital of the World.

Filipinos are using social media platforms 53 hours a week. That’s a whole 11
hours more than the global average of 42 hours!

In a global study called Wave 7, Filipinos are using social media to primarily
connect with their families living overseas. As of this writing, there are more than 11
million Filipinos living outside the Philippines. Social media has become a way for them

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 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

to communicate with their families and friends instead of using overseas call and text,
which are the traditional ways of communication.

Philippines is the social media capital. As proof, Makati city takes the most selfies
than anywhere in the world. As internet penetration increases in the Philippines, it
seems that Filipinos have grown fond of using apps such as WeChat, Line, Skype, and
Facebook Messenger. Line has a Free Call services.

V. EVALUATION
Answer the following questions. Explain briefly your answers.

1. What are the three levels of Computer Ethics? Explain each level.
2. Give 2 examples of Moral Responsibilities of Computer Professionals.
3. In your own opinion, what is the purpose of Computer Ethics?
4. What if your friend post your picture which, to your mind should NOT be seen by
others, will that be OK with you?
5. If we asked someone to join us in a photo shoot (or selfie), do we need to ask
permission to allow us to upload the said picture on any social networking site?
What if we take a photo or video of a private person without his consent, is it a
proper or not? What are some exemptions?
6. You are working in an investigation firm, you and your team handled a case of a
murdered businessman. In your investigation you got the recorded tape in the
CCTV camera it was shown the girl killing her boss, but the video was blurred.
You gave the video to the computer expert to be scanned using the special
program the footage to make the video clearer and identify the suspect but the
specialist told you that it would take 48 hours to clearly view the image. On that
day your sister confessed that she was the one who killed the man. Will you
report your sister to the authorities? Why?

VI. REFERENCES
Lavina, G., (2015) Social, Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Computing, p.27-
47., Mindshapers Co., Inc., Intramuros Manila

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Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

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