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Chapter 1

The document outlines a course on the ethical and legal implications of computing, covering topics such as social and ethical computing, privacy, software contracts, and computer crime. It raises questions about the value of information technology and the ethical considerations surrounding its use. Additionally, it includes case studies and discussions on software piracy and the ethical behavior of individuals in computing roles.

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moroansoma23
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6 views

Chapter 1

The document outlines a course on the ethical and legal implications of computing, covering topics such as social and ethical computing, privacy, software contracts, and computer crime. It raises questions about the value of information technology and the ethical considerations surrounding its use. Additionally, it includes case studies and discussions on software piracy and the ethical behavior of individuals in computing roles.

Uploaded by

moroansoma23
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BCT 301

Ethical & Legal Implications of Computing


Course Outline

•Introduction to Social and Ethical Computing


•Ethics
•Ethics and the Professions
•Privacy
•Software Contract
•Legal Issues in Computing
•Software Safety and Reliability
•Computer Crime and Social Implication
Recommended Books

Sara Baase. A Gift of Fire. Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues


for Computing Technology. Fourth Edition. Pearson
Education, Inc., 2018

Joseph Migga Kizza. Ethical and Social Issues in the


Information Age. Fifth Edition. Springer-Verlag London,
2013
INTRODUCTION
Discussion
Do you think information technology has value?

How do we determine value of information


technology?

Who has to determine the value? Computer


users? Organizational users? Societies? Humanity
as a whole?
Do we see any ethical issue with regard to the
questions above? If yes why, if no why?

Yes, the question transcends clearly definable sets


of interests and, thus, becomes for us an ethical
question.
Technology is a powerful component of the
modern world - its permeation of so many aspects
of our everyday lives.
Technological development has not been an
unqualified blessing.

Technologies frequently have negative social


and environmental side effects.

The negative effects of technology present us


with some challenges.
It seems obvious that technologies will be
necessary in solving current problems and
ensuring a better future.
Yet we have to acknowledge that deploying
technology is likely to create new problems and
constraints.

Decisions we make shape or direct the development


and use of technologies.
Tell me how your life today would have looked
like without technology.

What contributes to acceptable use of computers?


You finished your undergraduate studies in 2016.
You have been searching for job since then. In
November 2020, you were offered a job with a net
salary of GHS 3,000.00. After reading the job
description, you observed the company produces
pornography videos.

Will you accept the offer?

If Yes, Why?, If No, Why?


There is nothing wrong with SOFTWARE
PIRACY. Discuss
Share of unlicensed software in different global regions from 2009 to 2017
Case: Use of Computer Services

Dave works as a programmer for a large software company. He


writes and tests utility programs such as compilers. His company
operates two computing shifts: During the day program
development and online applications are run; at night batch
production jobs are completed. Dave has access to workload data
and learns that the evening batch runs are complementary to
daytime programming tasks; that is, adding programming work
during the night shift would not adversely affect performance of the
computer to other users.

Dave comes back after normal hours to develop a program to


manage his own stock portfolio. His drain on the system is minimal,
and he uses very few expendable supplies, such as printer paper.

•Is Dave's behaviour ethical?


END of Introduction

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