Show understanding of need for and purpose of ethics as computing professional
Understand the importance of joining a professional ethical body including BCS, IEEE, ACM
Show understanding of need to act ethically and the impact of acting ethically or unethically
Understand the difference between legal, moral, ethical and cultural issues
Apply the Software Engineering Code of Ethics to real-world scenarios
🌟 Why Ethics Matters
Societies are collections of individuals, each having their own ideas and beliefs about the type of behaviour that is acceptable or not acceptable. To make sure that societies function successfully, they develop principles that define what is morally good and right behaviour for individuals and society itself. These principles are known as ethics.
1. Key Terms and Definitions
The following definitions are important when considering ethical behaviour in computing:
Term
Definition
Legal
Relating to, or permissible by law. Covers whether an action is punishable by law. Anything which breaks the law is termed illegal.
Morality
An understanding of the difference between right and wrong, often founded in personal beliefs. Varies from person to person and between cultures.
Ethics
Moral principles governing an individual's or organisation's behaviour, such as a code of conduct. Used in a professional context.
Culture
The attitudes, values and practices shared by a society or group of people.
Intellectual Property Rights
Rules governing an individual's ownership of their own creations or ideas, prohibiting copying without owner's permission.
Privacy
The right to keep personal information and data secret, not to be unwillingly accessed or shared through hacking.
Plagiarism
The act of taking another person's work and claiming it as one's own.
⚠️ Important Distinction
Immoral does NOT mean illegal! Creating a fake news website is not illegal, but it may be considered immoral if it causes distress to others. If the creator tried to obtain personal and financial data, then it would become an illegal act.
Similarly, hacking is generally regarded as immoral, but not illegal. However, it becomes illegal if it compromises national security, results in financial gain, or reveals personal information.
💡 Exam Tip
Remember: There is a fine line between an immoral act and an illegal act. Something can be:
Illegal but not immoral – e.g., downloading a movie you already own
Immoral but not illegal – e.g., creating fake news for fun
Both illegal and immoral – e.g., stealing credit card data
Neither – e.g., normal acceptable behaviour
2. Computer Ethics
Computer ethics is a set of principles set out to regulate the use of computers. Three key factors are considered:
📖 Three Key Areas of Computer Ethics
Intellectual Property Rights: Copying software without the permission of the owner. Example: Downloading and using paid software without a licence.
Privacy Issues: Hacking or any illegal access to another person's personal data. Users have the right to keep their personal information safe.
Effect on Society: Job losses due to automation, social media effects, digital addiction, and other social impacts.
2.1 Plagiarism
Internet use has led to an increase in plagiarism – when a person takes another person's idea or work and claims it as their own.
📝 How to Avoid Plagiarism
It is acceptable to quote another person's idea, but acknowledgement must be made
Use footnotes on each page where a reference is needed
Include references or citations at the end of a document
Use anti-plagiarism software that scans text and searches web pages for copied content
Example: If you use code from Stack Overflow in your project, you must credit the original author and link to the source. Simply copying without attribution is plagiarism.
2.2 Unethical Behaviour
Unethical behaviour is the breaking of a code of conduct. For example, if somebody works for a software company and passes on some ideas to a rival company, this would be regarded as unethical behaviour.
⚠️ When Unethical Becomes Illegal
If the software passed to a rival company is:
Related to national security – then it is also illegal
Formally copyrighted – then it is also illegal
It is essential to be clear whether any law has been broken!
3. Professional Ethical Bodies
There are a number of professional bodies representing individuals working in computing and IT that have developed their own codes of conduct, to which members are expected to adhere. Belonging to one of these organisations demonstrates your professional integrity.
3.1 British Computer Society (BCS)
The British Computer Society (BCS) is a professional body set up in the UK, initially to represent the rights and ethical practices of all professionals working in the IT and computing industries. It is now an international body which works in close partnership with other groups to monitor and advise IT practices across the globe.
📖 BCS Code of Conduct - Four Main Areas
The Public Interest: Safeguarding public health; respecting rights of 3rd parties; applying knowledge of relevant regulations.
Professional Competence and Integrity: Maintain standards of professional skill and practice; accepting responsibility for work done; avoiding conflicts of interest.
Duty to Relevant Authority: Carrying out work according to requirements; not abusing employers' or clients' trust.
Duty to the Profession: Uphold the reputation of the profession through good practice; support fellow members in professional development.
3.2 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
The IEEE was set up in the USA with the aims of:
Raising awareness of ethical issues
Promoting ethical behaviour among professionals in the electronics industry
Ensuring engineers and scientists respect the need for ethical behaviour
📝 IEEE Code of Ethics (10 Points)
Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public
Avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible
Be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates
Reject bribery in all its forms
Improve understanding of technology's capabilities and implications
Maintain and improve technical competence
Seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work
Treat fairly all persons; do not engage in discrimination
Avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment
Assist colleagues in professional development
4. Software Engineering Code of Ethics
Jointly with the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the IEEE developed a set of eight principles which govern the code of ethics specifically among software engineers. The principles were published in 1999.
📖 8 Principles of Software Engineering Code of Ethics
Principle
Description
1. PUBLIC
Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest. (8 sub-clauses)
2. CLIENT & EMPLOYER
Act in the best interests of client and employer consistent with public interest. (9 sub-clauses)
3. PRODUCT
Ensure products meet the highest professional standards possible. (15 sub-clauses)
4. JUDGEMENT
Maintain integrity and independence in professional judgement. (6 sub-clauses)
5. MANAGEMENT
Subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to software management. (12 sub-clauses)
6. PROFESSION
Advance integrity and reputation of the profession. (13 sub-clauses)
7. COLLEAGUES
Be fair to and supportive of colleagues. (8 sub-clauses)
8. SELF
Participate in lifelong learning and promote ethical approach. (9 sub-clauses)
💡 Memory Trick: "PCC JMP CS"
Public Interest
Client and Employer
Create Quality Products
Judgement with Integrity
Manage Ethically
Profession Reputation
Colleagues Support
Self Learning
5. Applying the Code of Ethics: Case Study
The Mikhail Scenario:
Mikhail works during the day for a software company called EthicalGamz developing new software. He is part of a large team writing and testing code. Much of the work is commercially sensitive with multiple layers of access protection.
In the evenings and at weekends, Mikhail works for his own company, MikhailSoft, producing software to sell online. To save costs, he uses coding he helped develop for EthicalGamz in his own software. He also outsources work to engineers in countries with lower wages and more lax ethics policies. Mikhail does not pay licensing fees to EthicalGamz and makes no reference to their code.
⚠️ Ethical Violations Analysis
1.03 - Approve software only if safe and meets specification:
Software from overseas may not meet requirements. Could contain spyware that Mikhail is unaware of.
2.02 - Not use software obtained illegally or unethically:
Using coding from EthicalGamz is illegal use. Mikhail has no control over overseas team's code.
3.05 - Ensure appropriate method used:
Without good managerial control, methods may not be appropriate or ethical.
4.02 - Only endorse documents within competence:
Work done overseas may be outside Mikhail's sphere of knowledge.
❌ Additional Violations
5.03: Mikhail may give passwords to his own team, allowing unauthorised access to EthicalGamz systems
6.05: Enhancing his own interests at the expense of EthicalGamz and colleagues
7.03: Not crediting the work of others – taking undue credit for EthicalGamz code
8.07: May dismiss workers based on prejudices rather than merit
6. Real-World Ethical Applications
6.1 Self-Driving Cars
When designing, building and testing software for autonomous vehicles, developers have one principle placed above all others: Safety of passenger and public.
📖 Ethical Dilemma Example
Scenario: A passenger in a self-driving car falls ill and needs urgent hospital attention. The car is programmed to stay within speed limits, but keeping to the limit may mean the passenger doesn't receive treatment in time.
Conflict: Speeding may endanger public, but driving legally might endanger passenger. Developers must consider ethical considerations of both.
6.2 Smart Watches
Many smart watches have health-monitoring facilities (heart rate detection). Data is often sent to third-party applications over the internet.
📝 Developer Ethical Duties
Make sure health data remains private
Ensure data is transmitted securely
Third-party app developers must also ensure data privacy
6.3 Network Monitoring in Workplace
Computer users might find themselves in situations with conflicting ethics.
Scenario: Management suspects an employee is wasting work time on social networking sites using company computers.
Solution: A computer code of conduct is essential. If the code forbids social networking access, management have the ethical right to check compliance. Without a code, checking would be an invasion of privacy. Even with a code, the company should only check those with evidence of unethical behaviour.
7. Impact on the Public
While software engineers consider the Code of Ethics, the impact on the general public cannot be ignored. Here are real-world examples where computer hardware or software led to expensive errors.
7.1 LA Airport Shutdown (2007)
⚠️ Case Study
Cause: A faulty network card sent incorrect data over the airport's network
Impact: USA Customs and Borders Agency shut down at LA airport
Duration: All flights cancelled for about 8 hours
Cost: Several million US dollars in lost revenue
Public Impact: Cancelled holidays, loss of business, general frustration
7.2 Exploding Laptop Computers (2008)
⚠️ Case Study
Location: Japan annual trade show
Incident: Dell laptops burst into flames in front of public and TV cameras
Cause:Faulty batteries overheating and exploding
Escalation: Apple reported similar problems with tablets, laptops, desktops
Recall:100 million devices recalled
Cost: Over 300 million US dollars
Public Safety: Potentially devastating if not discovered before general sale
7.3 Airbus A380 Software Incompatibility (2006)
⚠️ Case Study
Issue: Software in two factories would not "talk to each other"
Hamburg: Using old version of CATIA design software
Toulouse: Using latest version of CATIA software
Result: Wiring in parts from different factories did not match up
Cost: Millions of Euros to redo design and remanufacturing
Safety Note: Not a safety issue, but potential for catastrophic effects
8. Issues Affecting Public and Businesses
📖 Key Issues
Insecure Software Systems: Companies selling software without proper security measures (inadequate protection against hacking, spyware)
Covering Up Security Issues: Hiding security threats like the XEN security threat which compromised cloud servers
Release of Private Data: Leaks of private data such as celebrity photo leaks when cloud servers were hacked
Social Media Issues: Lack of policing for hate mail and cyberbullying on social media platforms
Search Engine Manipulation: Giving results at top of search due to donations to search engine operators
🌟 BCS Code Statement
Professionals should: "have due regard for public health, privacy, security and wellbeing of others and the environment".
💡 Exam Tip
When answering questions about public impact, always consider:
Health and Safety – Could people be physically harmed?
Privacy – Is personal data at risk?
Security – Are systems vulnerable to attack?
Environment – What is the ecological impact?
9. Exam-Style Questions
1. Describe the differences between the terms: legal, morality, ethics, and culture. Give an example of each. [8 marks]
Answer:
Legal: Relates to law – whether actions are punishable by law. Example: Copying software and selling it without permission is illegal.
Morality: Personal understanding of right and wrong, based on individual beliefs. Example: What one person considers wrong, another may find acceptable.
Ethics: Moral principles in a professional context – code of conduct. Example: A doctor following medical ethics to keep patient data confidential.
Culture: Attitudes, values and practices shared by a society. Example: Computer games avoiding content offensive to certain cultures.
Additional point: Immoral does not mean illegal – creating fake news may be immoral but not illegal.
Additional point: Unethical behaviour is breaking a code of conduct, which may or may not be illegal.
2. Explain the three key areas of computer ethics. [6 marks]
Answer:
Intellectual Property Rights: Rules governing ownership of creations, prohibiting copying without permission. Example: Copying software without the owner's permission.
Privacy Issues: Protecting personal data from unauthorised access. Example: Hacking or illegal access to personal data.
Effect on Society: Impact of computers on how we live and work. Example: Job losses due to automation, social media effects, digital addiction.
Additional point: Plagiarism is taking someone's work and claiming it as your own – acknowledgement is required.
Additional point: Anti-plagiarism software exists to detect copied content from websites.
3. Aisha manages a team of software developers. Explain the reasons why it is important that Aisha acts ethically in relation to her team members. [4 marks]
Answer:
To make sure the team members feel valued
To get the best work out of the team
To enable them to work well together
To enable them to create the best product for the client
Additional point: Treating team members fairly and avoiding favouritism
Additional point: Respecting work-life balance by avoiding unrealistic deadlines
Additional point: Encouraging collaboration and clear communication
4. Describe the main areas covered by the BCS Code of Conduct. [4 marks]
Answer:
The Public Interest: Safeguarding public health; respecting rights of third parties; applying knowledge of relevant regulations.
Professional Competence and Integrity: Maintaining standards of professional skill; accepting responsibility for work; avoiding conflicts of interest.
Duty to Relevant Authority: Carrying out work according to requirements; not abusing employers' or clients' trust.
Duty to the Profession: Upholding reputation through good practice; supporting fellow members in professional development.
Additional point: BCS is now an international body working in partnership globally.
5. Describe the eight principles of the Software Engineering Code of Ethics published by ACM and IEEE. [8 marks]
Answer:
PUBLIC: Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
CLIENT AND EMPLOYER: Act in best interests of client and employer consistent with public interest.
PRODUCT: Ensure products meet highest professional standards possible.
JUDGEMENT: Maintain integrity and independence in professional judgement.
MANAGEMENT: Subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to software management.
PROFESSION: Advance integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with public interest.
COLLEAGUES: Be fair to and supportive of colleagues.
SELF: Participate in lifelong learning and promote ethical approach to practice.
Additional point: There are 80 clauses and sub-clauses in total.
Additional point: The code was published in 1999.
9. Exam-Style Questions (Continued)
6. A software engineer works for a company during the day and runs their own software company in the evenings. They use code developed at their day job in their own products without permission or acknowledgement. Using the Software Engineering Code of Ethics, explain which principles are being violated. [6 marks]
Answer:
2.02: Using software obtained illegally or unethically – using code from employer without permission is illegal use.
5.03: May give passwords to own team, allowing unauthorised access to employer's systems.
6.05: Enhancing own interests at the expense of employer and colleagues.
7.03: Not crediting work of others – taking undue credit for code developed by colleagues.
Additional point: 1.03 – If outsourcing, software may not meet specifications or could contain spyware.
Additional point: 3.05 – Without managerial control, methods may not be appropriate or ethical.
Additional point: 4.02 – Work done by others may not be within sphere of knowledge to endorse.
7. Explain why it is important for computing professionals to join professional ethical bodies such as BCS or IEEE. [6 marks]
Answer:
Clear ethical guidelines: Members follow a written code, don't have to decide what is ethical on their own.
Trusted by clients: Clients and colleagues know member is working to recognised standards.
Professional reputation: Shows you are reputable and serious about your work.
Recognised skills: Entry may require qualifications, showing you meet high standards.
Help and support: Members can get advice (e.g., legal help) when needed.
Training and development: Access to courses helps keep skills up to date.
8. Describe three real-world examples where computer software or hardware failures had a significant impact on the public. [6 marks]
Answer:
LA Airport Shutdown (2007): Faulty network card sent incorrect data, causing USA Customs shutdown. 8 hours of flight cancellations, millions in lost revenue, public frustration.
Exploding Laptops (2008): Dell laptops burst into flames at Japanese trade show due to faulty batteries. 100 million devices recalled, over $300 million cost.
Airbus A380 (2006): Different versions of CATIA software in Hamburg and Toulouse factories. Wiring didn't match during assembly, millions in redesign costs.
Additional point: All examples show potential for catastrophic impact if safety issues had occurred after deployment.
9. A self-driving car's passenger falls ill and needs urgent hospital treatment. The car is programmed to stay within speed limits. Discuss the ethical considerations the developers must address. [5 marks]
Answer:
Developers placed safety above all other principles for passenger and public.