Professional Practices & Ethics - Test 1

What is morality?

A person or society’s idea of what is right or wrong, guided by values, religion, upbringing, and experiences.

What is ethics?

Well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do in terms of rights, obligations, fairness, and virtues.

Difference between ethics and morality?

Ethics = external/system rules (e.g., workplace codes). Morals = internal/personal principles of right and wrong.

What are the 7 universal morals?

Bravery, fairness, deference to authority, helping the group, loving your family, returning favors, respecting property.

Normative ethical relativism?

No universally valid moral principles; morality depends on culture/society.

Ethnocentrism?

Belief your culture is superior; judging others through your own culture’s lens.

Cultural relativism?

Understanding practices in their own cultural context instead of judging them by your culture.

Moral absolutism?

Some moral laws are universal/unconditional (e.g., murder is always wrong).

Consequentialism?

Judges right/wrong by results; an act is right if it produces better consequences.

Utilitarianism?

Greatest good for the greatest number.

Ethical egoism?

An act is right if it promotes an individual’s own best long-term interests.

Psychological egoism?

Humans are naturally self-interested in all actions.

Deontology?

Duty-based ethics; actions are right/wrong regardless of consequences.

T/F: Ethics are based on individual perspective, while morals are based on social/cultural rules.

False – ethics are social/professional rules; morals are individual principles.

Scenario: Jack steals food to feed his starving family. Who is ethically wrong?

Jack, because stealing violates law and store rights, even if morally right.

What is computer ethics?

Principles governing acceptable behavior when using computers; ensures ethical use of technology without harm.

Positive impacts of technology?

Access to info, education, communication, e-commerce, healthcare, entertainment, science, agriculture.

Negative impacts of technology?

Loss of privacy, cyberbullying, reduced physical activity, security risks, mental health issues.

Impact of technology on employment?

Positive: job creation, productivity, remote work. Negative: job displacement, skill mismatch, inequality.

Four foundation principles of computer ethics?

Privacy, Accuracy, Property, Accessibility.

Why do we need computer ethics?

To protect privacy, intellectual property, cybersecurity, fair competition, ethical AI.

10 Commandments: Thou shalt not use a computer to harm others?

Means harming data/files or spreading malware is unethical.

10 Commandments: Thou shalt not snoop around in others’ files?

Reading private emails/files without consent is unethical.

10 Commandments: Thou shalt not use a computer to steal?

Illegally accessing financial/personal data is theft.

10 Commandments: Thou shalt not bear false witness?

Spreading false information or rumors online is unethical.

10 Commandments: Thou shalt not copy software without paying?

Piracy is stealing intellectual property.

10 Commandments: Thou shalt not use resources without authorization?

Unauthorized use of servers, accounts, bandwidth is unethical.

10 Commandments: Thou shalt not claim other’s work as your own?

Plagiarism and code theft are unethical.

T/F: Hacking into a system for fun is acceptable under computer ethics.

False – unauthorized access is unethical.

Scenario: A student copies code from GitHub and submits as their own. Which principle is violated?

Property – intellectual property theft.

What is privacy?

The right to be let alone, free from interference, and to control access to your information.

Types of info needing privacy?

Personally identifiable info, health info, financial info, student records.

Six categories of privacy?

Person, Thoughts & Actions, Communication, Data/Image, Location/Space, Association.

What is COPPA?

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act – protects online data of children under 13.

What is HIPAA?

Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act – protects medical data.

What is GLBA?

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act – protects consumer financial information.

What is FCRA?

Fair Credit Reporting Act – regulates credit bureau files for accuracy, fairness, privacy.

What is FERPA?

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act – protects student education records.

What is the Privacy Act of 1974?

Law regulating government databases and individual data rights.

Major internet privacy issues?

Identity theft, dark web markets, mobile apps privacy, location tracking, search engine tracking, cookies, social media mining, cyberbullying.

What is data mining?

Collecting and analyzing large datasets (often from social media) to identify patterns.

What is opt-in vs opt-out?

Opt-in requires permission before data collection; opt-out assumes consent unless denied.

Principles of data ethics?

Ownership, Transparency, Privacy, Consent, Accountability.

T/F: Your employer can legally share your medical records without consent under HIPAA.

False – HIPAA restricts unauthorized disclosure.

Scenario: Facebook breach exposes millions of users’ data. What category of privacy is violated?

Privacy of Data and Image.

What is freedom of speech?

Principle allowing individuals/communities to express opinions without fear of retaliation or censorship.

Pros of free speech?

Truth, self-governance, peaceful change, accountability, social interaction, creativity/entertainment.

Cons of free speech?

Spreads misinformation, hate speech, harassment, mob mentality, incites violence, verbal abuse.

What does the First Amendment protect?

Speech, press, religion (establishment & free exercise), assembly, petition.

What are forms of speech protected?

Verbal, written, art, music, clothing, symbolic speech, donations, right not to speak, anonymous speech.

Limitations on free speech?

Child pornography, commercial speech, defamation, fighting words, incitement, true threats, blackmail, obscenity, perjury, copyright infringement.

What is defamation?

False statements harming reputation; libel = written, slander = spoken.

What are fighting words?

Speech intended to provoke immediate violence or breach of peace.

What is incitement?

Speech that calls for imminent lawless action likely to occur.

Does the First Amendment apply in private spaces?

No – only limits government actions, not private homes, workplaces, schools, social media.

How has the internet affected speech?

Global platform, enables marginalized voices, spreads info quickly, but also misinformation, extremist views, trolling.

What is the Communications Decency Act (CDA)?

Gives online platforms immunity for user content, allowing moderation without liability.

What is net neutrality?

Principle that ISPs must treat all internet data equally without discrimination or throttling.

T/F: Social media companies are legally required to host all speech, even offensive content.

False – private companies can moderate content.

Scenario: A protester burns a flag in public. Is it protected speech?

Yes – symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.