2. Legal , Ethical And Other Policy Issues
The most important issues facing the
internet were:-
Validity of contracts
Unethical distribution of software
Privacy
Taxation
Free speech
Consumer protection
Intellectual property rights
3. Legal Ethical and Other Public Policy
Issues
10.1 shows two legal issues
Validity of contract
Distribution of software free
Contracts are a key element of traditional
business practice and they are equally
important on the Internet, they can occur
when parties exchange e-mail messages,
engage in EDI, or fill out forms on Web
pages.
4. Ethical Issues
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with
what is considered to be right and wrong.
Unethical is not necessarily illegal.
Ethics are different among different countries.
Organization may develop their own code of ethics
Monitoring emails without informing
Information collected through cookies
Insecure software sold. etc
5. Protecting Privacy
Claims of individuals or groups, to determines for
themselves when and what extent, information about
them is communicated to others.
The public right to know is superior to the individual’s
right of privacy but privacy is not absolute, privacy must
be balanced with need of society.
Privacy issues on internet
How private information is collected on internet?
Reading your newsgroup post
Reading your emails and chats
Finding you in the internet directories
Making your browser record your information.
Major sources:
Web site registration
cookies
6. Cookies
Cookies contain private information that can
include credit card data, passwords, and
login information.
The privacy problems exists because of the
existence of cookies.
The best way to protect your privacy is to
disable cookies entirely, while this ideal, it will
also cause you system to lose functionality.
7. Privacy protection
Principles for organizations
Give notice prior to collection of personal information
Consumer must be aware as to how their personal
information may used
Consumer must be assured that the data is secure.
Consumer must be able to access their data
Give customers the right to have you delete any of the
data you have collected about them
There must be method of enforcement or remedy
8. Privacy protection
Protecting yourself
Think before you give information
Track the use
Keep record
Keep your posts out of archives
Live without cookies
Use encryption
Ask your ISP about privacy policy
Use intelligent agents
9. Intellectual Property
The intangible property created by individuals or
corporations which is protected under copyright,
trade secret and patent law.
Digital intellectual properties, including art,
logos, publications, software and music
posted on Web sites.
Copyright protection on internet
Digital watermarks
Frequent updates
Offering freeware
Personalize products
10. Freedom of speech and Censorship
Freedom of speech : Everyone has right to
freedom of opinion and expression
Censorship refers to government attempts to
control, the material broadcast
Protecting Children
By parents
By government
Responsibility of ISP
Spamming: the practice of indiscriminate
distribution of message, spamming costs
consumers time and money.
11. Taxation Policies
Taxation Policies: Companies that do
business on the Web are subject to the
same taxes as any other company.
Those taxes may include:
Income Taxes
Sales Taxes
Use Taxes
Property Taxes
Customs Duties