Three Distinct Perspectives of Applied Ethics Value: 15% Due Date: 05-Aug-2018 Return Date: 27-Aug-2018 Length: XXXXXXXXXX Submission method options: Alternative submission method Task back to top...

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND MATHS, CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY     
SOCIAL MEDIA SURVEILLANCE
SOCIAL MEDIA SURVEILLANCE
ASSIGNMENT 1: PROFESSIONAL, PHILOSOPHICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL/DESCRIPTIVE ETHICS
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WORD COUNT: 1564
Table of Contents
1. Introduction    2
2. Professional Ethics Perspective    3
3. Philosophical Ethics Perspective    4
4. Sociological/ Descriptive Ethics Perspective    6
5. References    9
1. Introduction
Ethics is the branch of study of knowing right and the wrong conduct. The controversial issues involving moral dilemmas are analysed from the lens of ethics, to understand the long-term perspective about the issue. In this essay, recent issue of Facebook surveillance and its effect on influencing people and invading their privacy has been discussed under three distinct perspective: Professional, Philosophical and Sociological perspective.
Media Article:
The Verge, (2018) THE CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA SCANDAL Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/10/17165130/facebook-cambridge-analytica-scandal
2. Professional Ethics Perspective
Professional ethics are the standards of behavior within the corporate environment. These standards form the guiding principles/code of conduct which are shared among the group of individuals who are sharing the same/similar occupation. As noted by Khalili et al. (2016), these standards are necessary to protect every professional from the influence of certain pressures for example, pressure to bribe to get the contract. It is important to acknowledge that every professional has obligations towards their employer, clients, customers, other professionals and society.
Sometimes, as mentioned by Statache et al. (2015), to maximize profits or under undue pressure from any group, professionals may sacrifice their obligations towards some other group, this happens especially with top management, as they must deal with pressure of maximizing targets. So, if there are available code of conduct which must be adhered to during moral dilemmas, then that can relive the embarrassment of taking unethical decision.
This essay discusses the Facebook’s conduct of invading the privacy of people and trying to influence their opinions about a certain issue through targeted approach of sending newsfeeds. The Facebook Cambridge Analytical scandal is now open, where the app which was downloaded by few Facebook users gathered the information about those people as well who were their only in the friend list of such people. Thus, app gathered the information about millions of people without their knowledge.
Some of the professional ethics issue which must be considered are: integrity, Accountability, Privacy and honesty. Facebook attempt to steal data, seriously questions the company’s conduct on above mentioned parameters. Is this attempt to influence people opinion justified?
Experts argued that Facebook has seriously compromised on principles like integrity, Accountability and privacy. If Facebook has such advanced algorithm, which can influence people opinion, then it must have first taken the consent of people, because stealing information without consent and knowledge is unethical conduct.
Going ahead, Facebook must make user aware about till what extent their public information will be used, they must explain to user the risks which comes with registering themselves on the social media website. Social media sites must imbibe ethical code of conduct in their employees, so that they do not cut corners to earn quick money.
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