NCM67: BIOETHICS
Information relating to any discretionary benefit of a financial
WEEK 9: DATA PRIVACY AND TECHNOLOGY
(7/06/2022)
A. DATA PROTECTION AND SECURITY
This generation has come a long way with its medium
and method of data collection and management. From the ancient
method of using paper to store data, a considerable portion of the
world is now storing data in computers and a multitude of
electronic devices. With all the data that has been collected with
the aid of technology, there are extra measures that must be taken
in order to protect that data and maintain its security.
1. DATA PRIVACY ACT OF 2012 – RA 1073 SERIES OF 2012
The Republic Act No. 10173, also known as the Data Privacy
Act of 2012, is one of the leading policies in the Philippines that
aim to achieve this goal. By definition, it is “an act protecting
individual personal information in information and communications
systems in the government and the private sector, creating for this
purpose a national privacy commission, and for other purposes”. It
is important to note that, although the act ensures the privacy of
the data of the people, it also ensures that information is readily
disseminated as well. This is elaborated in Section 2 which states
that the Data Privacy Act, “is the policy of the State to protect the
fundamental human right of privacy, of communication while
ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth.
The State recognizes the vital role of information and
communications technology in nation-building and its inherent
obligation to ensure that personal information in information and
communications systems in the government and in the private
sector are secured and protected.” The data that is primarily being
protected through this act is personal information and according to
Section 3, it “refers to any information whether recorded in a
material form or not, from which the identity of an individual is
apparent or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the
entity holding the information or when put together with other
information would directly and certainly identify an individual.”
The broad definition of this act can be specified by the
scope found in Section 4 which states that “This Act applies to the
processing of all types of personal information and to any natural
and juridical person involved in personal information processing
including those personal information controllers and processors
who, although not found or established in the Philippines, use
equipment that is located in the Philippines, or those who maintain
an office, branch or agency in the Philippines subject to the
immediately succeeding paragraph: Provided, That the
requirements of Section 5 are complied with.” It is also determined
by the same section that the act does not apply to the following:
A. Information about any individual who is or was an officer or
employee of a government institution that relates to the position or
functions of the individual
B. Information about an individual who is or was performing
service under contract for a government institution that relates to
the services performed, including the terms of the contract, and the
name of the individual given in the course of the performance of
those services;
C.
nature such as the granting of a license or permit given by the
government to an individual, including the name of the individual
and the exact nature of the benefit;
D. Personal information processed for journalistic, artistic, literary,
or research purposes;
E. Information necessary in order to carry out the functions of
public authority which include the processing of personal data for
the performance by the independent, central monetary authority
and law enforcement and regulatory agencies of their
constitutionally and statutorily mandated functions. Nothing in this
Act shall be construed as to have amended or repealed Republic
Act No. 1405, otherwise known as the Secrecy of Bank Deposits
Act; Republic Act No. 6426, otherwise known as the Foreign
Currency Deposit Act; and Republic Act No. 9510, otherwise
known as the Credit Information System Act (CISA);
F. Information necessary for banks and other financial institutions
under the jurisdiction of the independent, central monetary
authority or Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to comply with Republic
Act No. 9510, and Republic Act No. 9160, as amended, otherwise
known as the Anti-Money Laundering Act and other applicable
laws; and
G. Personal information originally collected from residents of
foreign jurisdictions in accordance with the laws of those foreign
jurisdictions, including any applicable data privacy laws, which are
being processed in the Philippines.
With the policy being enacted, it is then implemented by the
National Privacy Commission, as declared in Section 7. The
functions of the National Privacy commission is as follows:
A. Ensure compliance of personal information controllers with the
provisions of this Act;
B. Receive complaints, institute investigations, facilitate or enable
settlement of complaints through the use of alternative dispute
resolution processes, adjudicate, award indemnity on matters
affecting any personal information, prepare reports on disposition
of complaints and resolution of any investigation it initiates, and, in
cases it deems appropriate, publicize any such report: Provided,
That in resolving any complaint or investigation (except where
amicable settlement is reached by the parties), the Commission
shall act as a collegial body. For this purpose, the Commission
may be given access to personal information that is subject of any
complaint and to collect the information necessary to perform its
functions under this Act; 4
C. Issue cease and desist orders, impose a temporary or
permanent ban on the processing of personal information, upon
finding that the processing will be detrimental to national security
and public interest;
D. Compel or petition any entity, government agency or
instrumentality to abide by its orders or take action on a matter
affecting data privacy;
E. Monitor the compliance of other government agencies or
instrumentalities on their security and technical measures and
recommend the necessary action in order to meet minimum
standards for protection of personal information pursuant to this
Act;
F. Coordinate with other government agencies and the private
sector on efforts to formulate and implement plans and policies to
strengthen the protection of personal information in the country;
G. Publish on a regular basis a guide to all laws relating to data
protection;
H. Publish a compilation of agency system of records and notices,
including index and other finding aids;
I. Recommend to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the prosecution
and imposition of penalties specified in Sections 25 to 29 of this
Act;
J. Review, approve, reject or require modification of privacy codes
voluntarily adhered to by personal information controllers:
Provided, That the privacy codes shall adhere to the underlying
data privacy principles embodied in this Act: Provided, further,
That such privacy codes may include private dispute resolution
mechanisms for complaints against any participating personal
information controller. For this purpose, the Commission shall
consult with relevant regulatory agencies in the formulation and
administration of privacy codes applying the standards set out in
this Act, with respect to the persons, entities, business activities
and business sectors that said regulatory bodies are authorized to
principally regulate pursuant to the law: Provided, finally. That the
Commission may review such privacy codes and require changes
thereto for purposes of complying with this Act;
K. Provide assistance on matters relating to privacy or data
protection at the request of a national or local agency, a private
entity or any person;
L. Comment on the implication on data privacy of proposed
national or local statutes, regulations or procedures, issue advisory
opinions and interpret the provisions of this Act and other data
privacy laws;
M. Propose legislation, amendments or modifications to Philippine
laws on privacy or data protection as may be necessary;
N. Ensure proper and effective coordination with data privacy
regulators in other countries and private accountability agents,
participate in international and regional initiatives for data privacy
protection;
O. Negotiate and contract with other data privacy authorities of
other countries for cross-border application and implementation of
respective privacy laws;
P. Assist Philippine companies doing business abroad to respond
to foreign privacy or data protection laws and regulations; and
Q. Generally, perform such acts as may be necessary to facilitate
cross-border enforcement of data privacy protection.
Alongside privacy, confidentiality is also established by this act.
The difference between the two concepts is that privacy protects
personal information, while confidentiality protects different types
of information from unauthorized persons. Under Section 8 of this
act, it states that “the commission shall ensure at all times the
confidentiality of any personal information that comes to its
knowledge and possession.”
Chapter IV, section 16 of this act acknowledges and identified the
rights of the data subject as follows:
A. Be informed whether personal information pertaining to him or
her shall be, are being or have been processed;
B. Be furnished the information indicated hereunder before the
entry of his or her personal information into the processing system
of the personal information controller, or at the next practical
opportunity:
1. Description of the personal information to be entered
into the system;
2. Purposes for which they are being or are to be
processed;
3. Scope and method of the personal information
processing;
4. The recipients or classes of recipients to whom they
are or may be disclosed;
5. Methods utilized for automated access, if the same is
allowed by the data subject, and the extent to which such
access is authorized;
6. The identity and contact details of the personal
information controller or its representative;
7. The period for which the information will be stored; and
8. The existence of their rights, i.e., to access, correction,
as well as the right to lodge a complaint before the
Commission.
C. Reasonable access to, upon demand, the following:
1. Contents of his or her personal information that were
processed;
2. Sources from which personal information were
obtained;
3. Names and addresses of recipients of the personal
information;
4. Manner by which such data were processed;
5. Reasons for the disclosure of the personal information
to recipients;
6. Information on automated processes where the data
will or likely to be made as the sole basis for any decision
significantly affecting or will affect the data subject;
7. Date when his or her personal information concerning
the data subject were last accessed and modified; and
8. The designation, or name or identity and address of
the personal information controller;
D. Dispute the inaccuracy or error in the personal information and
have the personal information controller correct it immediately and
accordingly, unless the request is vexatious or otherwise
unreasonable. If the personal information have been corrected, the
personal information controller shall ensure the accessibility of
both the new and the retracted information and the simultaneous
receipt of the new and the retracted information by recipients
thereof: Provided, That the third parties who have previously
received such processed personal information shall he informed of
its inaccuracy and its rectification upon reasonable request of the
data subject;
E. Suspend, withdraw or order the blocking, removal or destruction
of his or her personal information from the personal information
controller’s filing system upon discovery and substantial proof that
the personal information are incomplete, outdated, false, unlawfully
obtained, used for unauthorized purposes or are no longer
necessary for the purposes for which they were collected. In this
case, the personal information controller may notify third parties
who have previously received such processed personal
information; and
F. Be indemnified for any damages sustained due to such
inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, false, unlawfully obtained or
unauthorized use of personal information.
In the event where these rights are violated, Chapter VIII of this act
determines the nature of the violations and the corresponding
penalties.
a. The first violation is unauthorized processing of personal
information and sensitive personal information. This refers to the
person who processes confidential data without the consent of the
individual concerned. Under this act, a person who has committed
unauthorized processing of personalized information can receive a
fine ranging from Php 500,00 to Php 2,000,000 and imprisonment
ranging from 1 to 3 years. However, if the information was
personal sensitive information, the penalties are much higher, with
a fine ranging from Php 500,00 to Php 4,000,000 and
imprisonment ranging from 3 to 6 years.
b. The second violation is accessing personal information and
sensitive personal information due to negligence. This refers to the
person who enables another person to access 7 confidential data
due to carelessness or inattention. For accessing personal
information, a person can receive a fine ranging from Php 500,00
to Php 2,000,000 and imprisonment ranging from 1 to 3 years.
However, if the information was personal sensitive information, the
penalties are a fine ranging from Php 500,00 to Php 4,000,000 and
imprisonment ranging from 3 to 6 years.
c. The third violation is improper disposal of personal information
and sensitive personal information. This refers to the person who
carelessly disposes or abandons confidential data in a place that is
accessible to the public. For improper disposal of personal
information, a person can receive a fine ranging from Php 100,00
to Php 500,000 and imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 2
years. However, if the information was personal sensitive
information, the penalties are a fine ranging from Php 100,00 to
Php 1,000,000 and imprisonment ranging from 1 to 3 years.
d. The fourth violation is processing of personal information and
sensitive personal information for unauthorized purposes. This
refers to the person who uses confidential data for other functions
in which the data subject does not give consent to. For processing
personal information, a person can receive a fine ranging from Php
500,00 to Php 1,000,000 and imprisonment ranging from 1 year
and 6 months to 5 years. However, if the information was personal
sensitive information, the penalties are a fine ranging from Php
500,00 to Php 2,000,000 and imprisonment ranging from 2 to 7
years.
e. The fifth violation is unauthorized access or intentional breach.
This refers to the person who deliberately breaks into a system
that contains confidential data without the proper authorization or
consent from the data subject. For this violation, a person can
receive a fine ranging from Php 500,00 to Php 2,000,000 and
imprisonment ranging from 1 to 3 years.
f. The sixth violation is concealment of security breaches involving
sensitive personal information. This refers to the person who does
not report to the Privacy Commission about an intentional breach
of another person that has come to his/her knowledge. For this
violation, a person can receive a fine ranging from Php 500,000 to
Php 1,000,000 and imprisonment ranging from 1 year and 6
months to 5 years.
g. The seventh violation is malicious disclosure. This refers to the
person who discloses confidential information to outsiders with the
intention of harming the data subject. For this violation, a person
can receive a fine ranging from Php 500,00 to Php 1,000,000 and
imprisonment ranging from 1 year and 6 months to 5 years.
h. The eighth violation is unauthorized disclosure. This refers to
the person who discloses confidential information to outsiders
without the intention of harming the data subject. For personal
information, a person can receive a fine ranging from Php 500,00
to Php 1,000,000 and imprisonment ranging from 1 to 3 years.
However, if the information was 8 personal sensitive information,
the penalties are a fine ranging from Php 500,00 to Php 2,000,000
and imprisonment ranging from 3 to 5 years.
i. The ninth violation is a combination or series of acts. This refers
to a person who commits multiple violations under this act. For
this, a person can receive a fine ranging from Php 1,000,00 to Php
5,000,000 and imprisonment ranging from 3 to 6 years.
This act also considers the extent of liability or the person/s
responsible for the violations. If the person liable to the violation is
a juridical officer, the court can cancel his rights, status, or
privileges as a juridical officer. If he or she is an alien, they will
receive the penalties sanctioned by this act as well as get deported
from the country. If he or she is a public officer, aside from the
aforementioned penalties, they are also not allowed to run for
office for double the term the penalty is imposed. Furthermore,
when a person has violated the rights of 100 people or more under
this act, it is considered a large-scale offense, and he or she can
receive the maximum penalty for each corresponding violation.
People should be made aware of what data is collected from them
and how this data is being used. This is what data privacy ensures
for the people. As one of the bearers of crucial and personal data,
The Data Privacy Act of 2012 is highly applicable in the medical
field. One of the main concerns is consent. Consent is an informed
indication of willingness to provide personal data, without any form
of coercion. In the hospital, it is usually a written form that is signed
by the patient. Aside from the right to decide whether or not data
can be collected, this act also ensures that the patient also has the
right to be informed of the data collecting process including; the
purpose for use; methods of access; recipients of information;
period in which information is stored; and finally, access to the
results of data collected. In essence data privacy protects data the
same way healthcare workers protect their clients. Privacy is a
fundamental human right, and as nurses, it is our obligation to
uphold that right while we provide care to our patients.
B. BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF TECHNOLOGY
Technology is defined as techniques, systems, and equipment
that are the outcome of scientific knowledge being applied to
practical objectives. Technology has had a wide-ranging impact on
society and its surroundings. It has aided the development of more
modern economies and allowed for the establishment of a leisure
class in many civilizations. However, many technological
processes generate undesirable byproducts, known as pollution,
and deplete natural resources, both of which are harmful to the
Earth and its ecosystem. Moreover, various technological
implementations impact a society's values, and new technology
frequently presents new ethical concerns. The revolutionary impact
of technology cannot be denied in the healthcare industry. Despite
the fact that it is a field that requires highly competent
professionals with many years of study, it is also a very demanding
one in terms of infrastructure and instruments. The growth in
global life expectancy and population aging provides a very
demanding environment for healthcare innovation and technology.
Healthcare is the most significant area to benefit from
technological adoption. As a result, it has enhanced the quality of
life throughout time and saved many lives.
Benefits of Technology
1. Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) or Electronic Health
Records (EHRs) EMR’s or EHR’s is a collection of patient and
population health information electronically stored in a digital
format. It encourages plenty of advancements in medical treatment
and diagnostics. Unlike in the past, when medical data were
handled poorly, EHRs allow for quick information, recording,
storage, and transmission of medical files, as well as effective care
integration.
2. Reduction in Medical Errors Prior to medical technological
advancements, it was extremely difficult to determine the specific
ailment and condition of the patient. Medical technology
developments have reduced inaccuracies in medical reports and
treatments.
3. Telemedicine / Telehealth Patients in remote places where
health care services and hospitals are more easily accessible can
speak with doctors online via their phones and laptops. This way,
the medical expenses are a lot more substantial.
a. Telemedicine - this refers to the use of electronic
communication and information technology to deliver medical care
to patients in remote places. Telemedicine includes remote
medical evaluations and diagnoses, virtual consultations, and
digital transmission of medical 10 images. Lifeline is a
telemedicine platform that is now available in the Philippines. It
offers virtual medical services that connect medical professionals
and patients seamlessly using a mobile app that has been
successful in the United States. The new platform will offer a real-
time experience for Lifeline patients, offering everything from free
video consultations with doctors, comprehensive patient education,
free delivery of prescriptions and medications and free
doctors/nurse home visits in the greater Metro Manila area. In
addition, Bayanihan E-Konsulta is the telemedicine program
launched by OVP headed by former VP Leni Robredo in April 2021
following a spike in cases to help ease the congestion in medical
facilities. The Bayanihan E-Konsulta is part of the OVP’s response
to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the free antigen testing
provided by Swab Cab and the assistance to LGU vaccination
efforts through the Vaccine Express.
b. Telehealth technology enables remote patient evaluation and
diagnosis, as well as the ability to identify oscillations in patients'
medical conditions and adjust specialized therapy and drugs
accordingly. Telehealth also facilitates e-prescribe treatments
remotely. In the Philippines, increased access to information and
communication technologies over the years have led to the rise of
telehealth. Because of the pandemic, teleconsultations can now be
done through COVID-19 hotlines, websites, and mobile apps
launched by several agencies and businesses. Some of the
telehealth available in the Philippines are Medifi, KonsultaMD,
HealthNow, AIDE, DOCPH, DOH COVID-19 Hotline.
4. Improved patient education Patient education is becoming
increasingly important in healthcare, and experts are adopting
technology that might assist better inform and engage patients.
Technology has enabled the delivery of personalized health
education information to patients depending on their unique
requirements and situations. The Patient Electronic Portal, for
example, is a secure online tool that gives patients access to their
personal health information as well as two-way electronic contact
with their care provider by computer or mobile device. According to
one study, this application has boosted patients' adherence to
preventative medical measures, medical adherence,
selfawareness, and illness management.
5. Wearable Technology Modern technology introduced wearable
medical technology tools in the market. These devices are a kind
of electronic device which people can wear and know his/her body
condition. Smartwatches, blood pressure machines and many
more medical gadgets, which can where and it shows the current
state of the body of the patients. These gadgets have several
sensors that may 11 detect the state of the body and display the
data to the patients on a screen. As a result, patients may simply
obtain a diagnosis and protect their health.
6. Greater patient care The use of technology can improve
patient participation by giving information that can be used to
develop hyper-targeted, individualized health and wellness
regimens. Wearable technologies such as fitness bands and other
wirelessly linked devices such as Fitbits may monitor one's blood
pressure and Electrocardiograph (ECG), providing patients and
specialists with individualized information. These gadgets may
display calorie counts, activity checks, appointments, blood
pressure fluctuations, and other information. Specialists can more
effectively monitor patients' health, such as adherence to treatment
recommendations, and etc. This is especially important for older
people and those who live alone, as family members or concerned
healthcare providers will be notified immediately if any irregularity
is identified. As a result, such technological devices ensure that
patients receive exceptional treatment, therefore improving the
healthcare experience and quality for everybody.
Challenges of Technology
1. Cybersecurity Risks The category of cloud-connected medical
devices was formed and is primarily fueled by data capabilities.
The term "internet of things" refers to the concept of gadgets with
sensors that can communicate with other devices and systems
(IoT). With so much data being created and floating around the
internet, there is a possibility that it could be accessed by
unauthorized persons. There are several instances of patient data
falling into the wrong hands, whether through malevolent actors'
deliberate hacking or unintentional exposure. And those without
extensive experience in cybersecurity may be putting the patients
who use their systems at danger by relying on external cloud
service providers to maintain their data infrastructure. The risk
linked with cybersecurity doesn't merely refer to the disclosure of
personal information or the occasional ransoms associated with
data breaches. The dangers associated with manipulated data
may have detrimental effects. Correct and accurate datasets are
essential for patients and medical professionals that use data to
guide treatment decisions. A mistaken diagnosis or treatment plan,
as well as other negative outcomes, may result from the deletion
or alteration of data. This draws attention to one of the major
drawbacks of IoT in healthcare. Without the proper security
protocols, access to patients linked medical equipment with the
goal of changing functionality is possible. In the worst instance, a
major gadget malfunction in critical settings could happen.
2. Lack of Empathy in Patient and Doctor Interaction Even
when they are not physically present to one another, technology
can help keep healthcare personnel and patients linked. Instead of
relying on sporadic consultations, it is conceivable, for instance, to
create and update a treatment plan on an ongoing basis by
utilizing data and technology. As we proceed through the COVID-
19 pandemic, clinicians are using telehealth more and more as a
critical tool. In these hard times, the use of such instruments has
maintained the healthcare system and ensured that patients
receive continuity of treatment. Similar to earlier detection of
possible problems, remote patient monitoring can reduce
healthcare expenses by preventing future consequences.
Telehealth and remote monitoring also make it possible to solve
the scarcity of clinicians in rural places that has plagued many
nations, including our own. However, there could be problems as a
result of how technology has evolved to serve as the conduit
between patients and clinicians. The personal touch of therapy is
removed while working with dashboards on connected medical
devices and computers, which leads to a loss of empathy for
patient care. Using technology as the interface for care can be
frustrating and confusing, especially for elderly and vulnerable
patients. It may also lead to misunderstandings about treatment
plans or patient noncompliance.
3. Frustration with Poor Implementation The proverb
"technology is fantastic — when it works" comes to mind as we
continue to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of medical
technology. According to research by Asurion, 80% of Americans
have at least one frustrating experience with technology every day.
Systems need to be precise, simple to use, and ultimately better
than the current patient care practices in order for technology to
benefit healthcare. It is crucial for clinicians and medical
professionals to make sure that the technology they use is simple
to use and comprehend, rather than a burden. Healthcare
practitioners who spend more time battling technology than
providing patient care are more inclined to ignore its use and new
developments. However, even for healthcare professionals that
support the use and implementation of technology, it is essential to
make sure that the results produced by the technology are more
accurate or better at diagnosing. Care must be taken to ensure
that healthcare personnel are aware of the limitations of emerging
technologies like AI and machine learning. For instance, because
they are trained on historical data, many machine learning models
struggle to adjust to changes over time when operational data
significantly differs from learned data. Similar to this, practitioners
who rely too heavily on AI/ML systems may become complacent
and fail to crosscheck or take other factors into account when
making predictions. The ongoing use of technology in healthcare is
risky if it does not improve care in terms of speed, efficiency, or
accuracy.
4. Increased Cost of the Treatment for the Patients. One of the
drawbacks of medical technology is the rising expense of care.
The majority of technologically assisted treatments and
procedures, such as robotic surgery and other types of
technological machinery surgeries, are quite expensive.
Additionally, the majority of the patients are impoverished and from
rural areas. Poor folks are unable to afford pricey operations.
Technology improved healthcare, but it also raised its price which
the sufferers are unable to pay.
C. CURRENT TECHNOLOGY: ISSUE AND DILEMMA
Indeed, technology in the present is undeniably upgrading day by
day. It has achieved tremendous success as it provides our society
with products and services that make everyday life easier.
However, as it continually progresses, many issues and dilemmas
concerning technology as well as its effects on the medical field
emerge. Some of the areas of concern the technology is currently
facing include digital surveillance and data privacy, misinformation
or fake news, lowquality and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and
effects on physical and mental health. If today’s generation fails to
provide a holistic solution to these concerns, it will likely cause the
future to struggle and fail in dealing with the same obstacles.
Digital Surveillance and Data Privacy
With the rampant growth of technology and our dependence on it,
there is also a growing concern over personal data and the use of
data. According to research by Silvergate, Kosmowski, Horn, and
Jarvis (2021), data privacy is among the top concerns or
dilemmas, as the issue is somewhat critical and needs to be
addressed over the next few years. The problem is mostly
concerned with the manipulation and abuse of consumer data and
massive data breaches in relation to the human selfish pursuits of
their own goals. Because of this, a person’s dignity and their right
to privacy are being violated. As technology progresses, it also
becomes more susceptible to hacking. This involves hacking into
medical devices that can result in endangering human life
undergoing treatment. Implantable cardiac devices such as the
pacemakers are among the top most prone to hacking, along with
smart pens, drug infusions, insulin pumps, and wearable vital
monitors. Even though there were no current reports of hackers
harming patients, these issues on medical devices should be taken
seriously since they contain cybersecurity vulnerabilities that
potentially pose a threat to the patient’s health.
A. Medical Devices Prone to Hacking:
1. Pacemakers and heart rate monitors
2. MRI devices
3. Hospital networks
4. Wearable health devices
5. Insulin pumps
6. Cochlear implants and hearing aids
B. Reasons for Hacking Medical Devices:
1. Targeting Individuals- goal is to kill individual
2. Corrupting Systems- Viruses and malware
3. Stealing personal or medical data- Sensitive-detailed
information of a person
4. Finding back doors into larger networks- Break into wider
hospital networks
I. Possible Solutions for Data Surveillance and Data Privacy:
1. Data Privacy Act of 2012 - Republic Act No. 10173 - One of the
leading policies aims to protect data and maintain its security. - It is
meant to cover both natural and juridical persons involved in
processing personal information.
2. Upgrade operating systems, implement patches and ensure
network visibility - Keeping software up to date is an essential
component of maintaining cybersecurity. - Systems must keep
ahead of hackers to remain protected against the latest malware
and other threats.
3. Educate and spread awareness to healthcare providers -
Healthcare providers must be trained in cybersecurity best
practices. - They should have regular training sessions on how
breaches commonly occur, and conduct periodic risk
assessments.
4. Adopt multi-layered authentication - Example: Biometrics
Misinformation, Disinformation, and Fake News
Misinformation, disinformation, and fake news are one of the
issues encountered as the current technology continues to
develop. Fake news are news and stories on the internet that are
not true. It may be in the form of disinformation or misinformation.
Disinformation is defined as false information that is spread to
deliberately cause harm. Moreover, misinformation is the term that
is generally used to refer to misleading information disseminated
without the intent to cause harm. One of the most subtle and
detrimental effects of technology today is how our society views
truth, and how the information overload we face every day causes
all of us to lose touch with reality. Because of the increasing
amount of information online, it is getting harder to determine
which is based on facts, frauds, or lies. This becomes more
dangerous especially when children and young people will be
persuaded to do things that they have read or seen on the internet,
and will eventually cause harm to other people. One perfect
example of this is the spread of false information about COVID and
COVID vaccines. Because of the fake news and misinformation
disseminated in a lot of platforms, a lot of people lose their trust in
the circulating facts about these topics; thus, a lot of people also
refuse to get vaccinated and may also result in endangering their
16 health. It is a right of a person to be informed, and spreading
false information suppresses this right of a person.
Possible Solutions:
1. Research
2. Verify Information
Low-Quality and Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals
Medicines are one of the vital components of our health systems
today, and the access to quality-assured medicines is one of a
person’s basic rights to health. Nevertheless, there is a
widespread manufacturing of poor-quality medical products,
including medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic devices, due to poor
manufacturing (substandard) or deliberate falsification (falsified
medicines) using our advancing technology. Detecting low-quality
and counterfeit drugs used to require access to complex testing
equipment, which was often unavailable in developing nations
where these issues arose. The massive trade in pharmaceutical
intermediaries and active components raises dozens of new
difficulties, ranging from the technical to the ethical and legal
aspects. This issue can lead to mortality and morbidity, waste
financial resources, and promote drug resistance. Because of this,
it violates two fundamental principles of bioethics, namely,
beneficence and nonmaleficence.
Possible Solutions:
1. Cooperation between organizations and a concerted effort in
public policy
2. New and encouraging technologies
– technology is making the fight against fake medications
quicker, simpler, and more organized
– Use of handheld detection devices
– Mass serialization
Physical and Mental Health
The technology industry can impact both the physical and mental
well-being of a person who uses and overuses its products and
services, as well as having direct involvement in health care.
Although measuring the impact of technology to both is difficult
and complex, it is still undeniable that the technology industry
helps improve health-related areas through devices like wearables,
give better access to providers through telehealth and applications,
improve chronic disease monitoring, and improve diagnoses
through AI and other advanced technologies. However, despite the
positive impact of the technology on physical and mental health,
negative 17 effects and overuse of technology are evident as well.
This may lead to psychological and physical problems, such as
eyestrain and difficulties concentrating on crucial tasks. They may
also lead to more significant health issues like depression.
Moreover, overuse of technology may have a greater influence on
growing children and teenagers.
Human Enhancements
Human enhancement (HE) is defined as “any kind of genetic,
biomedical, or pharmaceutical intervention aimed at improving
human dispositions, capacities, or well-being, even if there is no
pathology to be treated”. With the rampant rise of technology,
these types of procedures became a possibility and are already
available for therapeutic purposes. But these same enhancements
are used to magnify the biological function of humans beyond the
societal norms. Because of the rapid progress within the fields of
nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and
cognitive science, the evolutionary status of humans has been
brought into question.
Issues on Human enhancement:
- Mainly revolves around the question of whether there is a
common “nature” that all human beings share and which is
unwarrantedly violated by enhancing a human being’s capabilities
beyond the normal level defined by this shared “nature”.
1. The means by which people achieve their goals in life matter.
- Using a shortcut decreases the accomplishment value.
2. Violate the principle of preserving an “open future.”
- It may narrow a person’s perspective
- Some enhancements promote possible effects but
might lead to serious disability later.
Example scenario: The use of drugs that provide short-term gain—
such as increasing physical strength or stimulating creativity—but
which may also come with long-term health risks.
3. Question of governance
- Making numerous enhancements available will require
having a range of decision makers charged with
developing policies for their use and implies the need for
social systems ensuring that everyone has affordable
access to them.
4. Authentic life
- it is argued that certain uses may be morally
undesirable forms of enhancement, as they transform a
person into somebody else and that this disconnection is
logically undesirable
5. Morphological freedom
- Favors autonomy
- It should be a human right to enhance one’s biology,
rather than something that the state should aim to
restrict.
6. Naturalness
- A further societal concern is that changing humanity by
human enhancement would undermine some essential
quality of our human identity that we would wish to
preserve
7. There are other moral concerns that are often folded into this
fear over biotechnological change, notably the view that
undertaking such changes is akin to “Playing God”.
- The argument states that since humans have no
oversight in their own evolutionary trajectory, it would be
foolish to attempt actions that would enhance evolution.