We are living in the fast changing world where new technologies are being introduced regularly and new inventions amaze world society on the everyday basis. Although sometimes it seems that it is hard to astonish or surprise the new generation of technological miracles with anything. Most of us do not pay time or attention to how much influence these inventions and technologies have on our life, even though we all are regular users of them. New technologies are various and have different nature, and thus bear different impact on diverse spheres and aspect of our life. In the given essay one of such impacts will be discussed in detail.
New technology such as the Internet has impacted communication practices both ethically and unethically. There is not yet a common standard of ethical communication, however, Bretag suggested ethic as to “determine how right or wrong an action is by finding out how much actual good or harm it produces”. In line with this definition, White suggested the “Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics”, which is based on the Christian ethical code of conducts, to help guide ethical usage of computers in communication practices. This essay will discuss the impact of Internet on ethical of communication practices, particularly in the areas of security of communication, integrity of information, the exposure of corrupt information to minors, plagiarism in published materials on the Internet and the rights to privacy.
The Internet has transformed social and business ways of communication. Baase defines the Internet as the expansion of global communication information networks that allows computers to share information worldwide in many areas such as business, education and government sectors. According to Andersen, “as of 1997, an estimate of about 19.5 million people has already subscribed to the Internet”; and the number is still growing to date. Evidence suggests that the Internet has strong impact on communication practices and will continue to be stronger as more and more people are subscribing to this communication channel.
With an increasing growth in the number of subscribers, the Internet has given opportunities for the emergence of businesses; offering products and services. Data gathered by Andersen shows that almost 30% of the total subscribers had spent more than $50,000 in spring 1997 alone, on purchases done via this channel. In other words, the Internet is becoming an essential and significant network at present.
It could be argued that the development of technology has become the cornerstone of business communication. Baase confirmed that through E-Commerce, business transactions can be done effectively and instantaneously through the use of security code called Cryptography. Baase explained that funds transaction is processed and confirmed electronically by converting information into algorithm to prevent unauthorised viewing or alteration of information. This form of transaction provides integrity, efficiency, reliability and credibility to parties involved in the transaction. This form of communication is in line with the ethical code of conduct proposed by White as reliable.
On the contrary, Baase added that E-Commerce is not perfect; there are hackers who will unethically try to decode the algorithm to steal information or funds, which violate White ethical code of conduct for stealing. Bower and Hout stated that business communication is of paramount importance to the global economy by providing lucrative source of revenue and a larger customer base. Through the capability of e-commerce, companies can close business deals online; hence, reducing overhead in term of workforce, and this translates to higher profitability. Therefore, due to economic reason, there is a need for security on the Internet.
Unfortunately, according to Jerrett the Internet does not have a governing body. Ironically, groups of individuals or commercial bodies are the ones who developed the so called “ethical communication standards”. Paradoxically, there are variations in standards, yet it has lured myriad corporate subscribers investing millions of dollars on marketing and communication channel on this weak foundation as explained by Andersen.
Due to the lack of a proper governing body on the Internet, many other ethical issues have been raised. White “Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics”, stated the rights to privacy, particularly referring to a business tactic called “spam”, where a person is constantly bombarded advertisements, while trying to close the “pop up” windows, more and more of these advertisements seemed to find their ways to the monitors. This is an example of unethical communication practice where an individual’s right to privacy is violated.
Some of these advertisements contain obscene materials, which are not suitable for minors. There have been concerns about minors being exposed to advertisements selling violence, pornography and illegal drugs. Such lack of business communication ethic should be condemned. In line with this matter, an article by Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) entitled Censorship in Law and Practice has succeeded to pass a new bill targeting obscene materials that are “harmful to minors”. Unfortunately, South Australia did not pass this law due to protests in the beginning of year 2000.
In addition, communication can be done anonymously in “chat rooms”, popularly know as ICQ and IRC. In these “chat rooms”, a person can take on a fictitious identity to “chat” and make friends in the cyber space. Beyond the entertainment of making friends, according to Jerrett, there are some unethical people pretending to be the opposite gender to lure unknowing prey for sexual activity. This form of unethical communication should be condemned, according to White this practice violates a person’s right to trust. There is a need to be truthful about the information expressed on the Internet.
In line with the violation of a person’s rights to trust and the lack of governing body on the Internet, Jerrett further expressed that anyone can publish information on the Internet; which compromises the integrity of ethical communication practice. In other words, a person should be sceptical about obtaining information from the Internet. In addition, publishing information without acknowledging others intellectual property is unethical, according to White is plagiarism.
In conclusion, new technology such as the Internet has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of communication by eliminating distant and time barriers. The Internet has also provided additional source of revenue to companies which is beneficial economically. However, the Internet has led to a new set of ethical issues in communication practices, which has strong impact on social and business communication. Due to the lack of governing body, ethical communication issues such as the security of communication, integrity of information, minors exposed to corrupted information, plagiarism and the rights to privacy have been discussed. When ethical issues with regards to communication practices have been addressed, Internet technology can better enhance our lives economically and socially in responsible ways.
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