Ethical and social issues in information system

1. ETHICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES
IN INFORMATION SYSTEM
FOR BUSINESS
PRESENTED
BY

2. ETHICS AND INFORMATION SYSTEM
• Ethics : The moral principles and values that guide the design, development, and use of information
systems in a way that aligns with societal norms and expectations.
• Ethics plays a crucial role in the development and use of information systems in business.
• Organizations must consider the ethical implications of their information systems and take steps to
address ethical issues related to data privacy, cybersecurity, transparency, social responsibility, fairness,
and bias.
• Ethics in information systems for business is becoming increasingly important as businesses collect,
process, and store vast amounts of data that can be used to affect people’s lives.

3. ETHICAL DECISION ,INFORMATION SYSTEM AND
BUSINESS
• While making ethical decision, the business organization must consider the impact of decision on the
stakeholders like Customers, Employees, Shareholders, and Society.
• Role of Business organization in Ethical decision making with the help of Information system:
1. Identifying ethical issues: Businesses needs to know about the ethical issues that are prevailing and
are related to their information system such as data privacy, cyber security, etc.
2. Gathering Relevant Information: Only those ethical issues information should be gathered which
impact the stakeholders and decision of the business.
3. Analysing and Evaluating: Identifying potential ethical conflicts and determining the potential
consequences of different decisions.
4. Monitoring: Businesses need to continuously monitor the impact of their decision to ensure that it is
consistent with the ethical principle and aligned with their goal .

4. ETHICAL ISSUES IN INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR
BUSINESS
1. Security: Now a days, the foremost concern of any business organization is the cyber security.
Cyberattacks can breach the sensitive data and can create disruptions in the functioning of the business.
2. Misuse of Data: Manipulation of data in unethical ways like falsifying the financial reports of the
organization and sharing the data to others which can create difficulties for the organization.
3. Access of Information: Not all the employees in the organization have access to the information which
they require and it should be avoided by the organizations.
4. Biasness: Some of the organizations use biased algorithms, limiting the use of Decision making system
and not providing equal opportunity to all.

5. EXAMPLES OF ORGANIZATIONS VIOLATING ETHICAL
CONCERNS USING INFORMATION SYSTEM
• Volkswagen: In 2015, Volkswagen was caught using software that enabled its diesel cars to cheat on
emissions tests. The software was designed to detect when the car was being tested and adjust the
emissions levels accordingly.
• Uber: In 2017, it was revealed that Uber had been using a tool called “Greyball” to evade regulators in
cities where the ride-hailing service was not yet authorized. The tool allowed Uber to identify and block
regulatory officials from using the app and potentially catching drivers who were operating illegally
• Google: In 2018, it was revealed that Google had been working on a censored search engine for China,
which would have allowed the Chinese government to censor search results. The project, called
“Dragonfly,” was met with criticism from human rights groups and employees within Google, ultimately
leading to the project’s cancellation.

6. SOCIETY, INFORMATION SYSTEM AND BUSINESS
• The relationship between society, information systems, and business is a dynamic and complex one,
with each having an impact on the others. They are somehow related to each other :
• Business innovation: Information systems enable businesses to innovate and develop new products and
services, leading to economic growth and job creation. They also provide opportunities for
entrepreneurs and small businesses to compete with larger, established businesses.
• Social impact: Information systems have a significant impact on society, influencing the way people live,
work, and interact with each other. For example, e-commerce has transformed the way people shop,
etc.
• Ethical concerns: The use of information systems raises ethical concerns, such as data privacy, security,
and social responsibility. Businesses must consider the ethical implications of their operations and
decision-making and use information systems in a responsible and ethical manner.

7. SOCIAL ISSUES IN INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR
BUSINESS
1. Privacy of the Individual: With the increase in data collection and storage, privacy and security of their
customers’ information the cases of information breaching is also increasing , which can lead to
identity theft, fraud, and other crimes that can damage a business’s reputation.
2. Responsibility towards the Society :Businesses should consider that the use of information systems
does not harm society or the environment.
3. Responsibility towards Employees: Businesses should always think that they must not pressurise their
employees to complete excess work using Information system as it can harm their mental health and
can increase stress also.
4. Expulsion from Job: Information system has made most of the task automated which can result in the
reduction in workforce of the organization and can lead to unemployment.

8. SOCIAL ISSUES OF INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR
BUSINESS
• Affect on the environment: To use the Information system, significant amount of energy is required and
this energy is extracted from the environment and also the parts of the system which are not used
sometimes dumped into the soil which leads to soil pollution.
• Social Isolation: Information system can promote social isolation among the people as they are
spending more time over the system being online and less time engaging with colleagues which can
create communication barriers.
• Spread of wrong Information : Information systems have made it easier to spread false information and
conspiracy theories, which can lead to social unrest, distrust in institutions, and even violence.

9. EXAMPLE OF ORGANIZATIONS VIOLATING SOCIAL
CONCERNS USING INFORMATION SYSTEM
• Amazon: Amazon has been criticized for its use of facial recognition technology, which has been shown
to be less accurate for people of colour and has raised concerns about privacy and potential misuse by
law enforcement.
• Facebook: In 2018, it was revealed that political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica had accessed the
data of millions of Facebook users without their consent, using it to target political ads during the 2016
US presidential election.

10. BUSINESS CAN SOLVE ETHICAL ISSUES IN ‘IS' BY:
1. Developing a code of conduct: Businesses can develop a code of conduct that outlines ethical
guidelines for the use of information systems. This can include guidelines for data privacy,
cybersecurity, and the responsible use of technology.
2. Establish clear policies: Businesses can establish clear policies and procedures for the use of
information systems.
3. Ensure transparency: Businesses can ensure transparency by being open and honest about the data
they collect and how it is used. This can build trust with customers and help address concerns about
data privacy.
4. Use ethical decision-making frameworks: Ethical decision-making frameworks can help businesses
navigate complex ethical issues related to information systems.

11. BUSINESSES CAN SOLVE SOCIAL ISSUES IN ‘IS’ BY:
• Foster social connections: Businesses can use information systems to foster social connections and
community building. This can include using social media and online platforms to engage with customers
and build relationships
• Support environmental sustainability: Businesses can support environmental sustainability by adopting
eco-friendly practices, such as using renewable energy sources and reducing waste.
• Contribute to social causes: Businesses can contribute to social causes by using information systems to
support charitable organizations, promote social causes, and engage in social activism.
• Promote transparency: Businesses can promote transparency by being open about their use of
information systems, including data collection, analysis, and sharing. This can build trust with customers
and mitigate concerns about privacy and data protection