Show understanding of the need to act ethically and the impact of acting ethically or unethically for a given situation

Published by Patrick Mutisya · 14 days ago

Cambridge A-Level Computer Science 9618 – Ethics and Ownership

7.1 Ethics and Ownership

Learning Objective

Show understanding of the need to act ethically and the impact of acting ethically or unethically for a given situation.

Why Ethics Matter in Computing

  • Computing systems process personal and sensitive data.

  • Decisions made by programmers and organisations can affect millions of users.

  • Legal frameworks (e.g., GDPR, Data Protection Act) require ethical handling of data.

  • Professional reputation and public trust depend on ethical conduct.

Key Ethical Principles (Based on the ACM Code of Ethics)

  1. Public Interest: Prioritise the welfare of society and the environment.

  2. Quality of Work: Produce reliable, secure, and maintainable software.

  3. Professional Competence: Keep skills up‑to‑date and avoid misrepresentation.

  4. Privacy and Confidentiality: Protect personal data from unauthorised access.

  5. Intellectual Property: Respect ownership of software, data, and algorithms.

Ownership Issues in Computing

Ownership can refer to:

  • Software licences (proprietary vs open source).

  • Data ownership – who has the right to collect, store, and use data.

  • Hardware and infrastructure – responsibilities for maintenance and disposal.

Case Study: Data Mining for Targeted Advertising

A company collects browsing history to create personalised ads. Consider the following actions:

ActionEthical AssessmentPotential Impact
Obtain explicit consent before data collectionEthicalBuilds user trust; complies with law; may reduce data volume.
Collect data silently and sell to third partiesUnethicalShort‑term profit; long‑term reputational damage; legal penalties.
Anonimise data before analysisEthicalProtects privacy while retaining analytical value.
Share raw data with partners without safeguardsUnethicalRisk of data breaches; loss of user confidence.

Impact of Ethical vs Unethical Decisions

The following simplified model shows the relationship between ethical behaviour (E) and overall cost (C):

\$C{total} = C{compliance} + C_{reputation\ loss}\$

Where \$C_{reputation\ loss}\$ is significantly higher when \$E = 0\$ (unethical) than when \$E = 1\$ (ethical). In practice:

  • Ethical actions may incur higher immediate costs (e.g., implementing security measures).

  • Unethical actions often lead to hidden costs: legal fines, loss of customers, and damage to brand value.

Guidelines for Acting Ethically

  1. Identify all stakeholders and consider the impact on each.

  2. Consult relevant legislation and professional codes.

  3. Seek informed consent when handling personal data.

  4. Document decisions and rationales for accountability.

  5. Review and update practices as technology and regulations evolve.

Suggested Diagram

Suggested diagram: Flowchart showing decision‑making process for ethical data handling (Identify data → Assess legal requirements → Obtain consent → Implement safeguards → Review outcomes).

Summary

Acting ethically in computing is not optional; it safeguards users, complies with law, and sustains the long‑term success of organisations. Understanding the consequences of both ethical and unethical actions enables future computer scientists to make responsible choices.