COMPUTER ETHICS AND

LEGAL ISSUES IN
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Jewel Rose Alvior
Janice Pigar
Jm Denampo
 ETHICS

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals

with questions about what is morally right
and wrong, good and bad. Principles and
values that guide human behavior and
decision-making, aiming to determine how
individuals and groups should act in various
situations.
 COMPUTER ETHICS

Computer ethics is a branch of applied

ethics that deals with the moral
principles and issues related to the use,
development, and management of
computer technology.
 CORE PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER ETHICS
 a. Privacy authorization and for the purpose of improving security.
• Personal Data Protection: Ensuring that individuals’  c. Intellectual Property
personal information is collected, stored, and used in a • Software Licensing: Respecting and adhering to software
manner that respects their privacy. This includes obtaining licenses and intellectual property laws. This includes avoiding
consent for data collection and protecting data from software piracy and acknowledging the contributions of
unauthorized access. others.
• Surveillance: Addressing ethical concerns related to the • Copyright and Patents: Understanding and adhering to laws
monitoring and tracking of individuals, whether by that protect the intellectual creations of software developers
governments, employers, or other entities. and other tech professionals.
 b. Security
• System Protection: Implementing measures to safeguard
computer systems and data from unauthorized access,
cyberattacks, and other security threats.
• Ethical Hacking: Conducting security testing in a
responsible manner to find vulnerabilities, with proper
 CORE PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER ETHICS

 d. Integrity • Ethical Decision-Making: Making decisions that

• Accuracy of Information: Ensuring that data consider the broader impact on society, including
and information are accurate and reliable. This ethical considerations related to the deployment
involves avoiding manipulation or falsification of and use of technology.
data. • Transparency and Accountability: Being
• Ethical Use of Technology: Using technology in transparent about the use of technology and being
ways that align with ethical standards and accountable for the consequences of
contribute positively to society. This includes technological implementations.
responsible use of resources and avoiding misuse
of technology.

 e. Professional Conduct
 KEY ETHICAL ISSUES IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

 a. Data Privacy and Security misinformation and hate speech.

• Data Breaches: Addressing the ethical implications of  d. Intellectual Property
data breaches and ensuring that there are adequate • Open Source vs. Proprietary: Navigating the ethical
measures to prevent and respond to such incidents. implications of open-source software, which promotes
• Data Mining: Balancing the benefits of data mining and sharing and collaboration, versus proprietary software,
analytics with the need to protect individuals’ privacy. which restricts access and modification.
 b. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning  e. Cyberbullying and Online Harassment
• Bias and Fairness: Ensuring that AI systems do not • Protecting Individuals: Addressing and preventing
perpetuate biases or discriminate against individuals online harassment and bullying, and creating safe digital
based on race, gender, or other factors. environments for users.
• Transparency: Making AI decision-making processes
understandable and transparent to users.
 c. Digital Rights
• Access to Information: Ensuring equitable access to
digital resources and addressing issues related to the
digital divide.
• Freedom of Expression: Balancing the right to free
speech with the need to prevent harmful content, such as
 APPLYING COMPUTER ETHICS

 a. Professional Codes of Conduct decisions that align with ethical principles.

• Many professional organizations, such as  c. Education and Awareness
the Association for Computing Machinery • Promoting ethical awareness and education
(ACM) and the IEEE Computer Society, among technology developers, users, and
have established codes of ethics that guide stakeholders is crucial. Training programs
professionals in making ethical decisions and ethical guidelines help ensure that
and maintaining standards. individuals understand and adhere to ethical
 b. Ethical Frameworks standards in their work.
• Various ethical frameworks, such as
utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics,
can be applied to analyze and address
ethical dilemmas in computing. These
frameworks help professionals evaluate the
consequences of their actions and make
CONCLUSION
 Computer ethics is essential in guiding the responsible use
and development of technology. As technology evolves
and becomes more embedded in our lives, ethical
considerations become increasingly complex. By focusing
on principles such as privacy, security, intellectual
property, and professional conduct, computer ethics helps
ensure that technology serves society positively and
responsibly.
COMPUTER ETHICS AND
LEGAL ISSUES IN
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Jewel Rose Alvior
Janice Pigar
Jm Denampo
 LEGAL ISSUES IN INFORMATION SYSTEM

Encompass the various laws, regulations, and

legal principles that govern the use,
management, and development of technology
and data. These issues are critical in ensuring
that information systems operate within the
bounds of the law and that both individuals and
organizations are protected from legal liabilities.
 DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION
 a. Privacy Laws and Regulations
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): An EU regulation that governs data protection and
privacy. It requires organizations to protect personal data, provide transparency about data usage,
and allow individuals to exercise rights such as data access and deletion.
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): A U.S. law that grants California residents rights
related to their personal data, including the right to know what data is collected, the right to delete
data, and the right to opt-out of data sales.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): U.S. legislation that sets
standards for protecting sensitive patient health information in the healthcare industry.
 b. Data Breach Notification
• Mandatory Reporting: Many jurisdictions require organizations to notify affected individuals and
authorities in the event of a data breach. This is designed to mitigate the damage and allow
individuals to take protective measures.
 CYBERSECURITY LAWS

 a. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

• Unauthorized Access: A U.S. law that criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems and
data, including hacking, data theft, and related cybercrimes.
 b. Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA)
• Information Sharing: Facilitates the sharing of cybersecurity threat information between the
government and private sector to enhance national security and improve the defense against cyber
threats.
 c. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Guidelines
• Cybersecurity Framework: Provides guidelines and best practices for managing cybersecurity
risks. While not legally binding, they are often used to develop compliance strategies and standards.
 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 a. Copyright Law
• Software and Digital Content: Protects the creators of original works, including software and
digital media, from unauthorized use. Software piracy and unauthorized distribution are
violations of copyright law.
 b. Patent Law
• Technological Innovations: Protects inventions and technological innovations. In the context
of information systems, this can include software patents, which can be complex and
controversial.
 c. Trademark Law
• Brand Protection: Protects brand names, logos, and other identifiers from misuse. This is
relevant for domain names and online branding, ensuring that trademarks are not infringed
upon.
 CONTRACTS AND LICENSING

 a. Software Licensing Agreements

• Terms of Use: Defines how software can be used, distributed, and
modified. Licensing agreements must be carefully crafted to ensure
compliance and protect intellectual property.
 b. Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
• Performance and Reliability: Contracts that define the expected
performance and reliability of services provided, such as cloud services
or IT support. Legal issues can arise if service levels are not met.
 JURISDICTION AND CROSS-BORDER ISSUES

 a. Data Localization
• Regional Restrictions: Some countries have laws requiring that data
about their citizens be stored and processed within their borders. This
can create challenges for multinational organizations managing global
data.
 b. Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
• Cross-Border Enforcement: Legal issues can arise when cybercrimes
or violations span multiple jurisdictions. International cooperation and
agreements are essential for addressing these challenges.
 COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION

a . Industry-Specific Regulations
• Financial Services (e.g., PCI-DSS): The Payment Card Industry Data Security
Standard (PCI-DSS) governs the security of payment card information.
• Education (e.g., FERPA): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records.
 b. Regulatory Bodies
• Enforcement and Oversight: Various national and international bodies oversee
compliance with laws and regulations, including data protection authorities and
cybersecurity agencies.
 ETHICAL AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

 a. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Bias and Accountability: Legal issues related to the use of AI include
ensuring that algorithms are fair and non-discriminatory and addressing
liability for AI-driven decisions.
 b. Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
• Regulation: Legal issues around blockchain technology and
cryptocurrencies include ensuring compliance with financial
regulations, addressing fraud, and managing regulatory uncertainty.
 CONCLUSION

 Legal issues in information systems are diverse and complex,

involving a range of regulations and principles that govern how
technology and data are handled. Organizations must navigate
these legal landscapes carefully to ensure compliance, protect
intellectual property, secure data, and manage cross-border
challenges. Understanding and addressing these legal issues is
crucial for mitigating risk and operating effectively in a
technology-driven world.