Show understanding of the need for and purpose of ethics as a computing professional

7.1 Ethics and Ownership

Objective

Show understanding of the need for and purpose of ethics as a computing professional.

1. Why Ethics Matter in Computing

• Computing systems affect individuals, organisations and society at large.
• Decisions made by developers and managers can have far‑reaching consequences (e.g., privacy breaches, safety risks).
• Professional credibility and public trust depend on ethical behaviour.
• Ethical standards help resolve conflicts between commercial goals and societal good.

2. Legal vs Ethical Considerations

Legal compliance is a minimum requirement; ethical practice often goes beyond the law.

3. Professional Codes of Conduct

1. British Computer Society (BCS) Code of Conduct – emphasizes public interest, competence, integrity.
2. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Code – focuses on safety, privacy, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
3. ACM Code of Ethics – outlines responsibilities to society, clients, and the profession.

4. Ownership Issues in Computing

4.1 Intellectual Property (IP)

• Copyright – protects original code, documentation, and multimedia.
• Patents – may protect novel algorithms or hardware designs.
• Trade secrets – confidential business information such as source code.

4.2 Software Licensing

Different licences impose varying obligations on users and developers.

4.3 Data Ownership and Privacy

• Who owns data generated by users, sensors, or automated processes?
• Legal frameworks (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) define rights to access, correction, and deletion.
• Ethical practice requires transparent data handling and informed consent.

4.4 Digital Rights Management (DRM)

DRM attempts to enforce ownership rights through technical controls, raising ethical questions about user freedom and accessibility.

5. Ethical Decision‑Making Models

1. Consequentialist (Utilitarian) Approach – Choose actions that produce the greatest good for the greatest number.
2. Deontological (Duty‑Based) Approach – Follow rules and duties regardless of outcomes.
3. Virtue Ethics – Act in a way that reflects good character traits (honesty, fairness).
4. Professional Code Reference – Align decisions with the relevant code of conduct.

6. Illustrative Case Studies

6.1 Case Study: Social Media Data Mining

A company uses user data to target advertisements without explicit consent.

• Legal: May breach data‑protection laws.
• Ethical: Violates user autonomy and privacy expectations.
• Decision: Implement opt‑in mechanisms and transparent data policies.

6.2 Case Study: Open‑Source Contribution

A developer discovers a security flaw in a widely used open‑source library.

• Legal: No contractual obligation to disclose.
• Ethical: Duty to protect users from harm.
• Decision: Report the flaw responsibly to the maintainers and provide a patch.

7. Summary Checklist for Ethical Practice

1. Identify stakeholders and their interests.
2. Determine applicable laws and professional codes.
3. Analyse possible actions using an ethical model.
4. Choose the action that balances legal compliance, professional standards, and societal good.
5. Document the decision‑making process for accountability.