1.What is uniques about computers as far as ethical?

There have been many arguments that have been put forward to answer the question of whether or not
computer ethical issues are unique? The answer to the question will imply a different way in which
these issues can be dealt with. If they are not unique, an effective solution can be derived or adapted
from what existing guidelines. If they are unique then a completely new way of dealing with them may
have to be derived. Of course, there are also suggestions that the answer to the above questions is not
as clear-cut. The different answers (and the reasons) includes:

No, in the sense that there is nothing new under the sun There has always been issues of privacy,
property and freedom. The introduction of computers does not necessary introduce new way of doing
things. Often computers increase efficiency but fundamentally, the way of doing the task is still the
same.

Yes, in the sense that a new technology has been introduced that never existed before. An example of
this is the computer program. Computer programs are unlike anything that was preceded before it. It
can be (and has been) regarded as properties like cars or houses, while alternative it can also be seen as
an individual expression, not unlike a song. Yet another alternative is to regarded as an idea.

Yes, it facilitates new human actions that were not possible (or economically viable) before. For
example, virus writing is a noticeable problem with computers. While it is arguable that similar problems
existed prior to the existence computers, they were not of a large enough scale to be considered an
ethical issue. Another example, that have been cited many times before involve the use of data mining.

While there are many answers to the question, it is clear that when an ethical issue arise, part of it may
be analogous to existing framework, while part of it may be entirely new. It is the role of the
policymakers to consider this question thoroughly before deciding on a solution. If the issues in question
has an appropriate analogy, it could be employed as a starting point.

2.How do policy vacuums come about?

A typical problem in computer ethics arises because there is a policy vacuum about how computer
technology should be used. Computers provide us with new capabilities and these in turn give us new
choices for action. Often, either no policies for conduct in these situations exist or existing policies seem
inadequate. A central task of computer ethics is to determine what we should do in such cases, i.e., to
formulate policies to guide our actions. Of course, some ethical situations confront us as individuals and
some as a society. Computer ethics includes consideration of both personal and social policies for the
ethical use of computer technology.

Policy vacuums occur in large part because the technology vastly outdistances humans’ ability to keep
up. Deborah Johnson4 references Moor (1985) to describe policy vacuums:

“Thinkof the ethical questions surrounding computer and information technology as policy vacuums.
Computer and information technology creates innumerable opportunities. This means that we are
confronted with choices about whether and how to pursue those opportunities, and we find a vacuum
of policies on how to make those choices… Since the early day, computer technology has been far from
stagnant, and with each new innovation or application, new policy vacuums have been created”

Now it may seem that all that needs to be done is the mechanical application of an ethical theory to
generate the appropriate policy. But this is usually not possible. A difficulty is that along with a policy
vacuum there is often a conceptual vacuum. Although a problem in computer ethics may seem clear
initially, a little reflection reveals a conceptual muddle. What is needed in such cases is an analysis which
provides a coherent conceptual framework within which to formulate a policy for action. Indeed, much
of the important work in computer ethics is devoted to proposing conceptual frameworks for
understanding ethical problems involving computer technology.

3.How should the ethical problems presented by Computer Technology, Information Technology,
Information Networks and the Internet be approached?

The problems related to this subject might affect us in three different ways:

Personal data. There several techniques to get the personal data. Perhaps, the most used technique is
“spoofing” which imitates the user interface and the behavior of web sites in order to deceive users into
thinking that that is the real web site and then users will introduce their passwords. However,
sometimes the personal data is stolen from the companies which are storing them and in which you
trust, but other times, those companies are the ones which use your personal information without your
approval or knowledge.

Confidential data which belongs to companies or countries. There are several examples of recent
incidents related to it. Today, the Snowden case is the most popular one; the United States (US) used
companies to get data from other states and to spy on them. Nevertheless, this is not an isolated
incident, this year (2014) Canada stated to change its network infrastructure because of a Chinese attack
by hackers – China denied its participation in the attack. In fact, several countries are taking actions to
control this leak of information. China has banned Windows 8 and Apple products in the government
facilities for security issues. In addition, Russia asked for the source code to IBM and Apple so that it
could study it and verify the trust in their software.

The protection of intellectual rights. It is important to know the differences between Europe and the US,
since in the US the software can be patented and in Europe it cannot. There is an exception in which
software can be patented in Europe, if it is a part of an invention which includes hardware. Therefore,
the protection of the software in Europe is lower.

Aside from that, regarding the illegal use of music or movies, the protection of intellectual rights on the
Internet is really difficult, although there are various techniques (Digital Rights Management,
Fingerprinting…). In fact, in Spain some money is paid to artists through what is called the Digital Canon
to help them. This payment is made by everyone who buys a CD, DVD or something related to
electronics, since they have to pay a fee for those things and no matter if they are making an illegal use
of them or not.

In general, it is difficult to fight against these problems, as sometimes guilty parties are from other
countries and the state which is interested in solving the problem does not have jurisdiction there. This
is the case of some Spanish web sites which have links to other web sites in which movies or songs can
be downloaded.

In my opinion, the Internet has to be controlled, we should know what companies or countries are doing
with our information and make sure that our rights are protected everywhere. Therefore, an
international law or an international institution should be created. Perhaps, we might use what we have
learnt in Montego Bay, where an international agreement to rule the sea was reached. I believe that,
given the international scope of both, the Internet and the international waters, the Internet could be
controlled by using the same foundations which were created in the Montego Bay Convention