MODULE 3: ETHICS - Internet

The topic that i chosen in this module is the "Ethics of internet". The meaning of the ethics is the basic concepts and fundamental principles of right human conduct. It includes study of universal values such as the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural right, obedience to the law of land, concern for health and safety and, increasingly, also for the natural environment and also the morality. Ethics are a set of moral principles that govern an individual or a group on what is acceptable behavior while using a computer. Computer ethics is a set of moral principles that govern the usage of computers. One of the common issues of computer ethics is violation of copyright issues.

Duplicating copyrighted content without the author’s approval, accessing personal information of others are some of the examples that violate ethical principles. Internet ethics means  acceptable behavior for using internet. We should be honest, respect the rights and property of others on the internet. Due to the enhancement of the internet technology, internet has already become a "common searching tools". Through the searching from the internet, people be able to acquire a lot of information and details. However, the convenience of the internet technology has obviously brings the ethics problems to the human. Due to the fact, people utilize the convenience of the internet and usually involve some incorrect using method. Therefore, this kind of issue has create the the ethics issues in carelessly.

Issues of Internet Ethics

• Legal issues- Stealing copyright and credit for intellectual property. (Pornography, hate speech, restricted data and etc)
• Social issues - Deliberate public misunderstand information. (censorship and freedom of expression)
• Identify issues- Improper commercial and improper personal use on network identify. (Reliability and accountability)
• Privacy issues- Intercepting private email, privacy are almost every commercial website has a privacy statement.
• Security issues- Stealing and hacking internet account. (Data Protection)

*In year 1996, New Zealand had launch the restrictions on internet use.

   

Privacy (E-commerce Act)

The unauthorized copying, reproduction, dissemination, distribution, importation, use removal, alteration, substitution, modification, storage, uploading, downloading, communication, making available to the public or broadcasting of protected material, electronic signatures or copyrighted works, including legally protected sound recordings or information material on protected.

Internet Reference

[image] Internet Reference of privacy chart

Through the research, we can saw that only less than half people know how to protect privacy online. 

  Scenario of ethical rules for computer users

 Some of the rules that  individuals should follow while using a computer are listed below:

• Do not use computers to harm other users.
• Do not use computers to steal others information.
• Do not access files without the permission of the owner.
• Do not copy copyrighted software without the author’s permission.
• Always respect copyright laws and policies.
• Respect the privacy of others, just as you expect the same from others.
• Do not use other user's computer resources without their permission.
• Use Internet ethically.
• Complain about illegal communication and activities, if found, to Internet service Providers and local law enforcement authorities.
• Users are responsible for safeguarding their User Id and Passwords. They should not write them on paper or anywhere else for remembrance.
• Users should not intentionally use the computers to retrieve or modify the information of others, which may include password information, files, etc..