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 transmitting and receiving data.
- Because it is so easy to publish information on the Internet, the accuracy of information received from the Internet is not guaranteed. It is necessary to compare data from a number of sources and determine which data is accurate.
- The security of data transferred over the Internet is a greater problem than for data stored on a single computer. One method to protect data from deliberate or accidental damage is the use of certificates. A certificate or digital signature is an encrypted code that identifies a particular person or Web site. It aims to ensure that unauthorised persons cannot access data.
- ‘Netiquette’ refers to the way people communicate with each other on the Internet. It is about being considerate to other users of the Internet and thinking about the effect of your actions. There are some conventions regarding appropriate behaviour when sending electronic mail, chatting or using newsgroups. For example, send inoffensive messages, do not infringe copyright, respect the privacy of people in chat rooms and be friendly to newcomers
- Acknowledgement of sources is necessary when downloading data. Data obtained from the Internet is protected by copyright. To cite an Internet source it is important to include the author’s name, title of the completed work, URL of the page and download date
- Privacy can be an issue when receiving information from the Internet. Some Web sites use cookies to record information about visitors to their site. A cookie is a file that is put on the user’s hard disk when they visit a Web site. The cookie stores information such as the date, the Web pages visited and the transactions completed. When the user visits the same site at a later date, the information in the cookie is available to the Web site hosts. Some people argue that cookies store personal information about the user, and that this is an invasion of privacy.
- In some areas of employment, information systems have improved the nature of work—the way people do their jobs. This may involve people retraining and learning new skills (multitasking). However, in other areas information systems have had the opposite effect. Some people’s jobs now require fewer skills. This is called deskilling
- The Internet is having an impact on traditional businesses. Some businesses are being established that trade entirely online. Many other businesses are establishing Web sites as an additional way to promote and sell their goods and services. The Internet has four main advantages over traditional ways of doing business: it offers a global market; it allows 24-hour access; there are lower marketing costs; and there are lower storage costs. The amount of business being transacted on the Internet is increasing at a phenomenal rate. Most experts predict that Internet business and the number of customers on the Net will continue to rise over the next few years. Traditional businesses that provide an opportunity for human inter-action are being challenged. Do you think Internet businesses will replace traditional businesses?