Ethical Issues in Information Systems
Information system is an integrated set of components for collecting, storing, and processing data and delivering information, knowledge, and digital products. There are many different types of uses of information systems. Employers might use information systems to keep information on employees, doctors manage patient records, marketers track products or client trends, even the information stored on social networks is a form of information systems. The massive amount of personal and public information kept in various IS can pose some ethical issues.
ETHICAL ISSUSES
• What information must a person reveal about themselves?
• What information can people keep to themselves?
• Who is held responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of information?
• Who owns information? Who owns the channels and airways through which information is passed?
• What information does a person or organization have the right or privilege to know?
Privacy is ethical concerns when dealing with information systems. Privacy includes both the right to have personal information guarded from misuse and the right to be left alone when solitude is desired. Identity theft is an unethical violation of the right to have personal information guarded, which is why many IS users such as banks and doctors have several security measures in place. Unwanted, solicitous email, or spam, is an ethical violation of the email account holder 's right to be left alone. Information about a person 's financial transactions, including the amount of assets, positions held in stocks or funds, outstanding debts, and purchases can be sensitive. If criminals gain access to information such as a person 's accounts or credit card numbers, that person could become the victim of fraud or identity theft. Information about a person 's purchases can reveal a great deal about that person 's history, such as places they have visited, whom they contacted with, products used, activities and habits, medication used and etc.
ETHICAL ISSUSES
• What information must a person reveal about themselves?
• What information can people keep to themselves?
• Who is held responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of information?
• Who owns information? Who owns the channels and airways through which information is passed?
• What information does a person or organization have the right or privilege to know?
Privacy is ethical concerns when dealing with information systems. Privacy includes both the right to have personal information guarded from misuse and the right to be left alone when solitude is desired. Identity theft is an unethical violation of the right to have personal information guarded, which is why many IS users such as banks and doctors have several security measures in place. Unwanted, solicitous email, or spam, is an ethical violation of the email account holder 's right to be left alone. Information about a person 's financial transactions, including the amount of assets, positions held in stocks or funds, outstanding debts, and purchases can be sensitive. If criminals gain access to information such as a person 's accounts or credit card numbers, that person could become the victim of fraud or identity theft. Information about a person 's purchases can reveal a great deal about that person 's history, such as places they have visited, whom they contacted with, products used, activities and habits, medication used and etc.
References: • http://www.ehow.com/info_7757468_ethical-issues-information-systems.html • http://www.prenhall.com/behindthebook/0132304619/pdf/laudon%20MIS10_CH-04%20FINAL.pdf. • http://www.infosyssec.org/infosyssec/privacy_issues.ht