MIS3302Mod04

Module Overview

This module delves into the multifaceted Personal, Legal, Ethical, and Organizational Issues associated with Information Systems, as highlighted in Management Information Systems (MIS, 11e). This examination covers not only theoretical frameworks but also practical applications pertinent to contemporary digital landscapes.

Module Objectives

The following key learning outcomes are integral to this module:

4.1 Information Privacy

• Discuss the significance of information privacy, including strategies and techniques to enhance personal privacy in digital environments. Explore practical applications such as the use of encryption and privacy-focused technologies.

4.2 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• Provide an in-depth explanation of the GDPR, which protects EU citizens’ personal data and ensures standardized data protection across the EU. Emphasize the implications of the GDPR for businesses operating within and outside the EU.

4.3 Privacy Issues in E-mail and Data Collection

• Analyze the privacy concerns surrounding e-mail communications and data collection practices within businesses, including spam issues, ownership rights of data, and ethical considerations in handling personal information.

4.4 Ethical Issues and Censorship in Information Technology

• Examine ethical dilemmas relating to information technology, including those arising from social media platforms and content censorship. Discussings frameworks for ethical decision-making in technology use.

4.5 Intellectual Property Principles

• Discuss foundational principles of intellectual property—including copyrights, trademarks, and patents—and detail common infringement issues faced in the digital age.

4.6 Impact of Information Technology on Society

• Investigate how information technology influences various aspects of society, such as the digital divide, telecommuting, and health-related challenges associated with technology reliance.

4.7 Green Computing

• Describe the principles of green computing, emphasizing its role in enhancing environmental quality through sustainable IT practices, including energy efficiency and waste reduction strategies.

Privacy Issues

• Ethical Issues Related to Social MediaThe proliferation of social media has introduced significant ethical concerns, particularly surrounding fake news and misinformation. We differentiate between types of misleading information:

  • Cheap Fakes: Content that is manipulated through deceptive editing.

  • Misinformation: Incorrect information spread without harmful intent.

  • Disinformation: Deliberately false information spread to deceive.

  • Deepfakes: Advanced manipulated media that aims to mislead viewers by producing hyper-realistic audio and video.

Personal Information Management

• The management of personal information extends to how it is stored and processed across various databases (e.g., Experian, Equifax). Understanding the regulatory landscape is essential, including:

• Federal Regulation: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (1970) enhances privacy and ensures proper handling of consumer information.

Web and Network Privacy

• Acceptable Use Policy: Organizations must implement rules governing the ethical use of their systems, which include user accountability and responsibilities. Specific emphasis is placed on nonrepudiation, which binds all parties to contract agreements.

Guidelines for Privacy Protection

1. Privacy Policies: Establish clear, accessible privacy policies on websites to inform users.

2. Data Access Limitation: Minimize access to personal information to enhance security.

3. Data Accuracy: Implement verification mechanisms for data accuracy and provide users with options to correct inaccuracies.

4. Transparency: Maintain open communication regarding data collection purposes and practices.

Federal Data Protections

1. HIPAA: Outlines privacy protections for health-related personal information.

2. FACTA: Provides guidelines for reporting and protecting personal credit information.

3. COPPA: Enforces strict regulations to protect children's privacy online.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• Overview: The GDPR is a robust set of regulations designed to protect personal data of EU citizens and requires businesses to comply strictly with these standards.

• Key Components:

1. User Consent: Consent is mandatory prior to any data collection activities.

2. Anonymization: User data must be anonymized to protect personal identities.

3. Breach Notifications: Organizat ions are required to notify users within 72 hours of any data breach.

4. Compliance Officer: Specific companies must appoint a GDPR compliance officer to oversee adherence to regulations.

• Business Benefits: The GDPR promotes enhanced consumer trust, greater data security, and improved operational efficiencies through necessary upgrades to legacy systems.

E-mail Privacy Concerns

• Spam: Understanding and managing bulk unsolicited emails that provoke privacy concerns.

• Access: Clarifying that company-owned emails and data are considered organizational property and the implications for employees.

Data Collection on the Web

• Online Shopping: Examining the trade-off between convenience and potential privacy invasions, particularly regarding cybersecurity risks.

• Cookies: Small files that track user behavior online; users need to be informed about their use and management.

• Log Files: Detailed records of user actions on the web serve as crucial tools for maintaining user security and identity protection.

Ethical Issues in Information Technology

• Awareness of the increase in unethical behavior facilitated by data collection capacity and cybercrime implications.

• Computer Networking Ethics:

  • Emphasizing values such as authenticity and transparency within social media environments.

• Business Media Networking Ethics: Encourage good faith and ethical practices in professional networking.

Digital Citizenship

• Principles for Responsible Tech Usage: Guidelines for maintaining online etiquette and safeguarding privacy, alongside awareness of one's digital footprint.

Censorship in Information Technology

• Types of Information: Differentiating between censorship applied to public information and the protection afforded to private data under freedom of expression laws.

Intellectual Property Overview

• Legal Framework: Analysis of the protection afforded to various forms of intellectual property, including trademarks and copyrights, and how they intersect with digital technologies.

Types of Protection

1. Copyrights: Safeguarding literary and digital works from unauthorized use.

2. Trademarks: Legal protection for brand identities.

3. Patents: Protects inventors by safeguarding technological innovations.

The Impact of Information Technology

• Impacting workplace dynamics through telecommuting and necessary adaptation to technological advancements.

• Assessing the economic implications, including the effects of consumer purchasing power.

Health Issues Related to Technology

• Identifying health risks associated with technology such as stress and anxiety, and recommending proactive measures for healthier tech engagement.

Green Computing

• Definition and Implementation: The adoption of sustainable IT practices focused on reducing environmental impact.

• Achieving Green Computing: Recommendations for employing energy-efficient practices, such as modular designs and cloud services.

Self-Assessment and Summary

• Encouraging reflection on personal data availability, implications for health, technology habits, and environmental responsibility related to digital engagement, along with a comprehensive recap of module objectives regarding privacy, GDPR, ethical practices, intellectual property, and green computing.