Computer Ethics
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Social control
1. Suppression and deterrence of speech deemed deviant.
2. Suppression and deterrence of behavior deemed deviant.
Regardless of the particular principles being addressed (e.g., preservation of life), and the consequences to the immediate stakeholders (e.g., safety), an ethical assessment should include a social analysis of power.
Censorship and power
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HIlary Clinton's speech on Feb 15th about the Internet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbwiXRmzKi0
Forms of censorship:
1. Censorship by suppression
2. Censorship by deterrence (punishment as negative reinforcer; punishment as example to others)
What are the common features?
1. Common goal of protection and common strategy of excluding objectionable material.
2. Interpretation/judgment must be made in regard to violation. Miller v. California, 1973 guidelines for determining obscene content not protected by First Amendment: sexual or excretory acts depicted in a patently offensive manner, appealing to prurient interests as judged by a reasonable person using community standards [and] has no serious literary, artistic, social, political, or scientific value. (Tavani, 286)
What are the unique features?
1. suppression: requires whole-scale surveillance
a. all persons
b all content
2. prevents public viewing
3 deterrence: tactic of sanctions-after-the-fact to accomplish the strategy/ suppression: pre-emptive
Suppression entails more power and control by authorities.
Agent and domain
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Agents of censorship:
1. government
2. private, large scale organizationsemployer
. news media
. ISPs
. RIAA
· parent
Domain of censorship:
1. public domains
. town square
. Internet
. Public library
· private domains
. chat sites
. intranet
. household computer
Group exercise: Select one agent and domain combination and argue for or against the use of one form of censorship.
Laws
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Internet specific Child Pornography Laws:
Tavani p. 289
CDA Communications Decency Act
CPPA Child Pornography Protection Act
COPA Child On Line Pornography Act
CIPA Children's Internet Protection Act
Sextexting: Falls under distribution of of Child Pornography p. 290 Tavani Scenario 9.4
Behavior suppression
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Justification for the use of computer technology for behavior suppression:
1. stop deviant behavior before it happens, thereby eliminate negative consequences
2. provide a sense of security
Critical response:
1. error
2. abuse
3. privacy loss for all