The Vitality of Personal Data Privacy: Trust & Security - Free Paper Example

Personal data privacy regulations in many countries are a vital ethical concern in the field of IT. The privacy, trust issues, and security concerns of people using various IT tools pose law and ethical dilemmas. Privacy preservation of personal data for internet users and relevant security provisions highly depend on trusting providers. For instance, people or organizations that use IT products tend to give access to individuals or companies that they trust. In other words, people feel secure when only those they trust have access to their private information. Despite the level of trust, violation of privacy continuously occurs as a result of a lack of ethics. An excellent example of a breach of privacy policies is a case where managerial staff in an organization with access to other employee’s data may facilitate theft (Lee et al., 2016). It occurs typically when digital data gets to the wrong hands. Different countries have a distinct approach to personal data privacy. While others pay little attention to individual digital activities of the citizens, some regulate all the interaction of people in the internet spectrum within its borders. Domestic security has always been considered the reason behind this form of regulation by the government (Lee et al., 2016).

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Law and ethics are highly intertwined in that ethical conduct establishes context to the application of the law. Personal data and privacy regulations raise IT-related ethical concerns in that people may face challenges when carrying out their normal activities when they feel that an oversight government body is watching. A business analogy is the most appropriate for examining ethics related to IT. People get to businesses to make profits, but they still have to operate between ethical frameworks to ensure that they do not undermine consumers’ rights. Similarly, ethics in IT means that the government will regulate the privacy and security of the people to ensure the users uphold the law.

Privacy regulations by governments sometimes inhibit the optimal utilization of IT products. It also results in breaches that have disturbing effects on trust from users of other countries. A good example is the business interference that government regulations pose by tracking financial flows in the country. Such privacy and security regulations can hinder e-commerce, especially when traders have to collaborate with people coming from countries with no such regulations. Additionally, privacy regulations mean that the government will have access to individual data. As such, unscrupulous employees may resort to theft or exposing people’s private life. These regulations, therefore, are disrespectful and constitute a violation of established ethical principles (Lee et al., 2016).

Problem Statement

Data privacy relates to the access, usage, and collection of information subject to legal requirements. Regulation of this privacy is problematic as it deprives users’ of freedom and rights of unauthorized access and use. The regulation of data privacy allows room for inappropriate use by not only government bodies but also employees. Cases of former government workers misusing information acquired in their previous work engagements are common in today’s society. Issues such as the sale of corporate rights or the use of personal data for political campaigns raise concerns over ethics relating to IT. The inspection of corporations arising from the regulation of privacy and security in some countries exposes these organizations to competitors. The situation becomes problematic when the government conducting the assessment has vested conflicts of interest in the business. Therefore, excessive regulation of personal data privacy in some countries is inappropriate in that it hinders copyright protection and security from unauthorized access. The ethical dilemma also arises when the government in charge of regulation establishes that the individuals or companies involved fail to adhere to the set rules and regulations. Moreover, personal data privacy regulations can be a useful tool for politicians to rise to power.

An Analysis of the Problem Using Kidder’s Nine-Step Approach

Kidder’s nine steps offers the most appropriate approach for analyzing the ethical problem.

Moral Issue Recognition

The first step involves the examination of the regulation of private data. The step is essential as it helps in identifying the ethical issue relating to the regulation.

Determine the Actor

The next step involves the determination of the individuals or entities that play an active role in moral issues. In this problem, government employees directly implement privacy regulation policies. Therefore, they are the people who the moral issue directly affects.

Gather the Relevant Facts

Thirdly, gathering the relevant facts about the problem helps in analyzing the situation. The fact could be in terms of the data breaches caused by privacy data regulations, which cause ethical concerns.

Testing for Right and Wrong Issues

Determining the right and wrong in the privacy data regulations by some countries is the most challenging task. This step involves examining issues such as the criticality of the rules versus the damages that they cause. The testing offers an excellent opportunity for testing the right-versus-right paradigm and then implementing the resolution principles. The other steps for the analysis of the problem include investigating the “Trilemma Options, making the decision, and reflecting on this option or decision.

Misuse of private data and information is a severe issue in the IT world. It calls for both the application of the law and the upholding of moral obligations. Stakeholders in the IT-related fields in some countries advocate for the regulation of the privacy of data as it enhances domestic security. The regulation of personal privacy gives the government an excellent chance to scrutinize and point out illegal or unethical undertakings. Therefore, the most appropriate decision for the problem is to minimize personal privacy data regulations.

The Impact of the Decision Made

The minimization of personal privacy data regulation means that it will be the responsibility of people at a personal level to ensure they adhere to ethics and morals. The government needs to reduce over-interference on personal data, implying that organizations will have more control over their activities.

The Applicable Ethical Theory

Utilitarianism is the most applicable ethical theory in the decision made. It entails the focus on the right-versus-wrong based on the outcomes of the selected course. In this case, the choice of reducing or eliminating personal privacy data regulation in some countries is based on the consequences of the process. Therefore, ethical theory seems more of a form of consequentialism. The regulation by the government harms a great multitude. By eliminating the code, the ethical theory holds that the decision seeks to offer the greater good to the most significant number or group of people. Thus, it stands out as a unique moral framework that does not agree with the government or military force. It accounts for both costs and benefits from the decision made.

References

Lee, W. W., Zankl, W., & Chang, H. (2016). An Ethical Approach to Data Privacy Protection. Isaca Journal. Retrieved on August 29, 2020, from https://digital.fundacionceibal.edu.uy/jspui/bitstream/123456789/271/1/An-Ethical-Approach-to-Data-Privacy-Protection_joa_Eng_1216.pdf