social and ethical issues
The widespread use of information technology has raised a number of ethical issues for people. The following are some of the issues that relate specifically to processing data.
- The type of processing raises issues of security and flexibility. It is easier to secure data on one computer rather than on numerous workstations. There-fore centralised processing is more secure than distributed processing. On the other hand, distributed processing is much more flexible and is not totally dependent on one central computer.
- Ownership of processed data is causing increasing concern in society. Organisations can use our preferences, weaknesses and habits to their commercial advantage. Data on what we buy, how we pay for it, what we read, what we watch on television and how much we earn is valuable to those who want to 69 Tools for information processes Function sell us things. Who owns this data? How is data about us being combined, sold and exchanged? For example, if you apply to a building inspector for a permit to extend your house, who owns this data? Does the building inspector have the right to sell this processed data to a bricklayer? Would it be a benefit or an intrusion of privacy if you were contacted by a bricklayer offering to quote for laying bricks?
- Bias in processing can be caused by biased data being collected, or incorrect manipulation of that data.