Ethical Theories

in Computing
Group 2 Presentation
What is Ethics & Ethics
in Computing?
Ethics is the study of moral principles that
govern behavior.

In computing, ethics guides decision-

making about how technology should be
designed, used, and regulated.
Key Ethical Challenges in
Computing
Privacy –Privacy is a fundamental right, but many
companies collect personal data without users fully
understanding how it will be used. Some businesses
justify tracking by saying it improves user experience,
but others see it as an invasion of privacy.

Security – With more personal and financial

information stored online, security breaches can
cause serious harm. Hackers can steal identities, leak
private information, or disrupt businesses.
Key Ethical Challenges in
Computing
AI and Automation – AI systems are trained using data,
but if the data is biased, the AI can make unfair or
discriminatory decisions. This is a problem in hiring,
law enforcement, healthcare, and finance.

Digital Divide – Not everyone has the same access to

technology, leading to disadvantages in education,
work, and healthcare. People in rural areas, low-
income communities, or developing countries often
have limited internet access, affecting their
opportunities.
Key Ethical Challenges in
Computing
Ethical Dilemmas in Computing

Self-driving cars must make split-second ethical

decisions in life-threatening situations. For example,
should a car prioritize the safety of its passengers or
pedestrians in an unavoidable accident?
Role of Ethical
Theories in Computing
Ethical Dilemmas in Computing
Ethical theories help in making informed decisions
about ethical dilemmas. For example, should a car
prioritize the safety of its passengers or pedestrians
in an unavoidable accident?
Self-driving cars must make split-second ethical
decisions in life-threatening situations. For example,
should a car prioritize the safety of its passengers or
pedestrians in an unavoidable accident?
Example: The Trolley Problem in AI
Scenario: A self-driving car detects a pedestrian
crossing the road suddenly. The car has two choices:
a. Swerve and hit a wall, injuring/killing the
passengers.
b. Keep going and hit the pedestrian.
Ethical Issue: How should AI be programmed to
handle such decisions?
Major Ethical
Theories
1. Utilitarianism (Greatest Good
for the Greatest Number)
📌 Principle: An action is ethical if it maximizes happiness
and minimizes harm for the most people.

✅ Example:
A hospital uses AI to predict disease outbreaks by
analyzing patient data.
Benefit: Helps prevent the spread of diseases, saving
lives.
Concern: Patients may feel their private data is being
misused.
Utilitarian View: If the benefit to public health is
greater than the risk to individual privacy, then data
collection is justified.
 2. Deontological Ethics (Duty-
Based Ethics)
📌 Principle: Ethics is based on duty and following moral
rules, no matter the consequences.

✅ Example:
A company collects user data and realizes it could sell
the data for a huge profit.
Right Action: Protect user privacy, even if selling data
is more profitable.
Deontological View: Privacy should never be violated
because it is a moral duty, regardless of financial gain.
3. Virtue Ethics (Character-
Based Ethics)
📌 Principle: Ethics is about developing good moral
character and practicing virtues like honesty, fairness, and
integrity.

✅ Example:
A software developer finds a security flaw in their
company’s application.
Right Action: Reports the flaw to fix it instead of hiding
it.
Virtue Ethics View: An ethical person values honesty
and responsibility, so reporting the issue is the right
choice.
4. Rights-Based Ethics
(Respecting Individual Rights)
📌 Principle: Ethics means protecting the fundamental
rights of individuals, such as privacy, freedom, and
consent.

✅ Example:
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) gives users
control over their personal data.
Right Action: A company allows users to opt out of
data collection if they don’t want their information
tracked.
Rights-Based View: People have a right to control their
data, so companies must respect that choice.
5. Social Contract Theory
(Mutual Agreements in Society)
📌 Principle: Ethical behavior is based on agreements and
rules that benefit society as a whole.

✅ Example:
Tech companies agree to follow AI development
guidelines to ensure fairness and prevent bias.
Benefit: AI systems become more trustworthy and fair
for everyone.

Social Contract View: Companies and society agree

that ethical AI is important, so they must follow shared
ethical standards.
Ethical Frameworks
in Computing

An ethical framework is a structured

approach used to help individuals and
organizations make ethical decisions in
computing and technology. These
frameworks provide guidelines,
principles, and rules to ensure that
technology is developed and used in a
responsible and fair way.
ACM Code of Ethics (Association
for Computing Machinery)
Guidelines for ethical computing professionals, including
principles like:
Avoid causing harm. (e.g., ensuring software updates
don’t introduce security vulnerabilities)
Be honest and transparent. (e.g., disclosing AI
limitations in applications like Chatbots)
Respect privacy. (e.g., anonymizing user data)

IEEE Code of Ethics (Institute of

Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Ethical principles for engineers and technology
professionals, such as:

Prioritizing public safety and well-being.

Avoiding conflicts of interest.
Ethical Design
Frameworks
Frameworks that integrate ethics into technology
development:
Value-Sensitive Design: Ensuring technology
respects values like privacy and autonomy.
Privacy by Design: Embedding privacy features from
the start of development. (e.g., end-to-end encryption
in messaging apps like WhatsApp)
 CASE STUDIES IN
COMPUTING ETHICS
Privacy and Surveillance
Case: The Edward Snowden leaks revealed that the NSA was conducting
mass surveillance on citizens.
Ethical Issue: Should national security outweigh individual privacy rights?
AI and Bias
Case: Amazon’s AI hiring tool was found to favor male candidates over
female applicants.
Ethical Issue: How can AI systems be made fair and unbiased?
Automation and Employment
Case: Self-checkout machines in supermarkets reduce jobs for cashiers.
Ethical Issue: Should companies be responsible for reskilling displaced
workers?
Cybersecurity and Hacking
Case: Ethical hackers expose security flaws before malicious hackers
exploit them.
Ethical Issue: Is hacking ethical if done for security purposes?
Intellectual Property
Case: The debate between open-source software (Linux) and proprietary
software (Microsoft).
Ethical Issue: Should software be freely available, or should developers
profit from their work?
Ethical Decision-Making Models
Step-by-Step Process:

1. Identify the Ethical Issue – Does collecting user data without consent
violate privacy rights?
2. Gather Relevant Facts – What data is being collected, and how is it
used?
3. Apply Ethical Theories – Utilitarianism may justify data collection for
public good, but rights-based ethics would oppose it.
4. Evaluate Alternatives – Can data be collected in a more ethical way,
like using consent-based policies?
5. Make a Decision and Justify It – Implement an opt-in model to
respect user rights while allowing data collection.
Global and Cultural Perspectives
Ethical Variations Across Cultures

Example: In the U.S., freedom of speech is highly valued, but in China,

internet censorship is strict.
Ethical Issue: Should tech companies adapt to local laws or uphold
universal ethical standards?
Challenges in Global Technology

Data Privacy: The EU has strict GDPR laws, while other regions have lax
regulations.
Censorship: Some countries restrict access to certain websites, raising
ethical questions about free access to information.
Case Study: Google in China

Google created a censored search engine for China but shut it down after
backlash.
Ethical Dilemma: Should companies comply with local censorship laws or
prioritize free speech?
Emerging Ethical Challenges
Artificial Intelligence
Case: Deepfake technology creates realistic fake videos.
Ethical Issue: Should AI-generated content be regulated to prevent
misinformation?
Big Data
Case: Cambridge Analytica used Facebook data to manipulate
elections.
Ethical Issue: How can data analytics be used responsibly?
Internet of Things (IoT)
Case: Smart home devices collect data on users’ daily routines.
Ethical Issue: How can companies ensure data security and prevent
hacking?
Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Case: Bitcoin enables anonymous transactions, sometimes used for
illegal activities.
Ethical Issue: Should cryptocurrencies be regulated to prevent financial
crimes?
Professional Responsibility
Roles of Computing Professionals

Uphold ethical standards in technology development.

Report unethical practices (whistleblowing).
Promote a culture of ethics in organizations.

Example: Whistleblowing
Case: Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee, exposed how the
company prioritized profits over user safety.
Ethical Issue: Should employees expose unethical company practices
at the risk of their careers?
 Thank You!
"The question is not whether machines
think but whether men do."
– B.F. Skinner, Behavioral Psychologist

Great Job everyone!