Professional Issues in Information System

Introduction and Overview of

Computer Ethics

Lesson 1 BY: DANDREF C. REYES

 What ethics are?
• Ethics are the standard behavior that tell us how
human beings ought to act in the many situations in
which they find themselves – as friends, parents,
children, citizens, businesspeople, teachers, and so on.

• What ethics are not:

– Feelings
– Personal values
– Laws
– Culturally-accepted norms
– Science
 COMPUTER ETHICS
• Computer ethics first came about in 1976 as computers
become integrated into homes. Computer today are used in
home, schools, offices, and almost anywhere. This field
take ethics into a whole new level especially due to the
privacy issues found throughout various businesses.

• When the field was first discover in 1970’s, applied ethics

was used to describe the new concept. At that time, there
was much controversies to what computer would bring to
the society. Some thought that computers would create
more ethical issues. In 1980’s, the computer was thought to
be the closest object to a universal tool available to
individuals.
 COMPUTER ETHICS
• Computer ethics are sets of model principles that governs
an individual or a group of what is acceptable behavior
while using a computer.

• It is a new branch of ethics which states how users of World

Wide Web should make decisions regarding their conduct.

• One of the common ethic missed by many among

computer ethics is violation of copyrighted issues. Example,
duplicating the copyrighted content without author’s
approval, accessing personal information of others, these
are the samples of violating ethical principles.
 The Difference between Morals,
Ethics, and Laws
• Morals
– one’s personal beliefs about right and wrong

• Ethics
– standards or codes of behavior expected of an
individual by a group

• Law
– system of rules that tells us what we can and cannot
do
 The Ten Commandments on Computer Ethics

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
computer files.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false
witness.
 The Ten Commandments on Computer Ethics

6. Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for

which you have not paid.
7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources
without authorization or proper compensation.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual
output.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the
program you are writing or the system you are
designing.
10. Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure
consideration and respect for your fellow humans.
 Example of Violations
on the Code of Computer Ethics
• Downloading in violation of copyright laws
• Unsolicited e-mail (spam)
• Hackers and identify theft
• Students and plagiarism
• Cookies and spyware
 Common Ethical Issues for IT Users
• Software piracy
• Inappropriate use of computing resources
• Inappropriate sharing of information
– Private data or Confidential information
 Common Policy Components
• Defining and limiting the appropriate use of IT
resources
• Establishing guidelines for use of company
software
• Structuring information systems to protect
data and information
• Installing and maintaining a corporate firewall
 Code Of Ethics For The
Filipino IT Professionals
• Preamble:
– I will use my social knowledge and skills for the
benefit of employers and clients with integrity,
subject to an overriding responsibility for the
public interest, and I will strive to enhance the
competence and prestige of the professional. By
these, I mean:
 Code Of Ethics For The
Filipino IT Professionals
• I will promote public knowledge technology;
• I will consider the general welfare and public
good in the performance of my work;
• I will advertise good or professional in a clear and
truthful manner;
• I will comply and strictly abide by the in related
laws in respect of information technology;
• I will accept full responsibility for the work
undertaken and will utilize my skills with
competence and professionalism;
 Code Of Ethics For The
Filipino IT Professionals
• I will make truthful statements on and qualities of my
products and service;
• 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 law;
• I will try to attain the highest in both the products and
services I offer;
• I will not knowingly participate in the development of
Information Technology System that will promote the
Commission of fraud and other unlawful acts;
• I will uphold and improve the IT professional standard through
continuing professional development in order to enhance IT
profession.
Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users
• IT workers agree on many aspects of work
relationship before workers accept job offer.
Other aspects of work relationship defined in
company’s policy and procedure manual or code
of conduct.

• There are two issues that can create friction

between employer and IT workers:
– Trade Secret
– Whistle-Blowing
Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users
• Trade secret

– is an area that can present challenges for IT

workers and their employers. A trade secret is
information, generally unknown to the public, that
a company has taken strong measures to keep
confidential. It represents something of economic
value that has required effort or cost to develop
and that has some degree of uniqueness or
novelty.
Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users
• Whistle-blowing

– is an effort by an employee to attract attention to

a negligent, illegal, unethical, abusive, or
dangerous act by a company that threatens the
public interest. For example, an employee of a
computer chip manufacturing company may know
that the chemical process used to make the chips
is dangerous to employees and the general public.
 Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users
Ethical problems arise if a company
recommends its own products and services to
remedy problems they have detected;

• Creates a conflict of interest

– Problems arise during a project if IT workers are
unable to provide full and accurate reporting of a
project’s status
– Finger pointing and heated discussions can ensue
Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users
• Fraud
– Crime of obtaining goods, services, or property
through deception or trickery

• Misrepresentation
– Misstatement or incomplete statement of material
fact
– If misrepresentation causes a party to enter into a
contract, that party may have the right to cancel
contract or seek reimbursement for damages
Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users
• Breach of contract
– One party fails to meet the terms of a contract
– When there is material breach of contract:

• The non-breaching party may rescind the contract, seek

restitution of any compensation paid to the breaching
party, and be discharged from any further performance
under the contract
 Prelim: Activity 1
- Answer the statement below with your OWN
OPINION.
- Explain briefly.

• 1. Should software developers who work on a

critical application whose failure could result
in loss of human life (for example, software for
self-driving car) be required to be licensed?