Utilitarian and Deontological Implications of the Bank of America and Wikileaks Scandal
INTRODUCTION
Bank of America, one of the top financial institutions in the United States of America and Wikileaks, described by many as the probably the biggest whistleblower in recent history are in for a colossal battle. Bank of America is on the defensive end as to whether one of its executives lost a hard drive containing information that if and when released could cause the bank to crumble to the ground. On the other hand, Wikileaks allegedly has this hard drive in its possession and has already issued a statement that it will release the information earlier this year. This battle has the world on the edge of its seat waiting on who will be triumphant but for purposes of this paper, this is a battle of ethics.
A brief background is hereby provided.
The statement of Julian Assange, Director of Wikileaks, in an interview last year that he is in possession of a bank executive’s hard drive containing information that could lead to the downfall of one of the top banks in America triggered a wide spread suspicion within the financial circles that Bank of America was the target of this intended release by Wikileaks. This came about when Assange mentioned in a 2009 interview that the hard drive in question is that of a Bank of America executive. Due to its shares falling after the Assange interview, Bank of America moved to conduct an internal investigation. No justifiable proof of the existence of this hard drive was found during this inquiry. Bank of America has thereafter issued a pronouncement to stop processing any transactions or payments intended for Wikileaks due to the organization’s possible illegal activities. This writing will focus mainly on whether or not Bank of America should refuse to process payments and do business with Wikileaks. The ethical issues involved will also be discussed as well as Bank of America’s exercise of a legal right. Finally, on a minor note, and in the interest of fair debate, the question of whether or not
Bank of America, one of the top financial institutions in the United States of America and Wikileaks, described by many as the probably the biggest whistleblower in recent history are in for a colossal battle. Bank of America is on the defensive end as to whether one of its executives lost a hard drive containing information that if and when released could cause the bank to crumble to the ground. On the other hand, Wikileaks allegedly has this hard drive in its possession and has already issued a statement that it will release the information earlier this year. This battle has the world on the edge of its seat waiting on who will be triumphant but for purposes of this paper, this is a battle of ethics.
A brief background is hereby provided.
The statement of Julian Assange, Director of Wikileaks, in an interview last year that he is in possession of a bank executive’s hard drive containing information that could lead to the downfall of one of the top banks in America triggered a wide spread suspicion within the financial circles that Bank of America was the target of this intended release by Wikileaks. This came about when Assange mentioned in a 2009 interview that the hard drive in question is that of a Bank of America executive. Due to its shares falling after the Assange interview, Bank of America moved to conduct an internal investigation. No justifiable proof of the existence of this hard drive was found during this inquiry. Bank of America has thereafter issued a pronouncement to stop processing any transactions or payments intended for Wikileaks due to the organization’s possible illegal activities. This writing will focus mainly on whether or not Bank of America should refuse to process payments and do business with Wikileaks. The ethical issues involved will also be discussed as well as Bank of America’s exercise of a legal right. Finally, on a minor note, and in the interest of fair debate, the question of whether or not