Privacy and Data Ethics

A set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms and concepts related to privacy and data ethics based on lecture notes.

Ethical Frameworks

Systems of reasoning that help decide what is right or wrong when dealing with data, technology, and privacy dilemmas.

Deontology

Morality based on rules and duties, not outcomes; breaking a rule is always wrong, even if it benefits people.

Consequentialism/Utilitarianism

Morality depends on outcomes; the best action is the one that benefits the most people.

Virtue Ethics

Morality depends on the character and intentions of the actor; focuses on what a good person would do.

Care Ethics

Focus on empathy, relationships, and care for others, particularly vulnerable individuals.

Alan Westin

Theorist known for defining privacy as control over personal information; authored 'Privacy and Freedom' (1967).

Helen Nissenbaum

Theorist known for 'Contextual Integrity', stating privacy is dependent on whether information flows appropriately within a context.

Judith Jarvis Thomson

Theorist who argued that privacy is a cluster of rights derived from other rights like property and autonomy.

Warren & Brandeis

Theorists who defined privacy as 'the right to be let alone', foundational to modern US privacy law.

Daniel Solove

Theorist known for taxonomy of privacy problems, identifying categories of information collection, processing, dissemination, and invasion.

Calos’s Dimensions of Harm

Distinguishes between subjective harm (emotional discomfort) and objective harm (measurable damage).

Active Consent

When a user takes an action to agree, such as checking a box to accept terms.

Passive Consent

Agreement assumed through inaction, like continuing to use a website after being notified of terms.

Explicit Consent

Clearly and unambiguously given consent, as in clicking 'Allow access'.

Implicit Consent

Consent inferred from behavior or context, such as sending an email implying consent to reply.

Fair Information Practice Principles

A set of principles that promote individual privacy rights in data collection and processing.

Brignull’s Exploitive Strategies

Manipulative tactics in design that apply pressure on users, such as repeated prompts.

Brignull’s Deceptive Patterns

Tricks that mislead users into unfavorable situations, like hard cancellation processes.

COPPA

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act; requires parental consent for data collection from children under 13.

FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; protects student education records and parental rights until age 18.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; protects health data and establishes patient privacy rights.

FCRA

Fair Credit Reporting Act; ensures fairness and privacy in consumer credit reporting.

Prosser’s Four Privacy Torts

Legal concepts: intrusion upon seclusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light, and appropriation.