Describe four ethical issues that arise when storing electric information about individuals.

Large amounts of electric information about individuals are being collected, stored, and processed by many different things, such as the governments and businesses to healthcare providers and social media platforms. This information includes personal data such as names, addresses, contact details, financial information, browsing history, and even biometric data.

1: Privacy: Storing electronic information about individuals raises concerns about privacy. Individuals may have expectations of confidentiality and control over their personal information. Ethical considerations arise when this information is stored, accessed, or used without their informed consent. This may include issues such as unauthorized access, data breaches, or sharing of personal information with third parties without consent, leading to violations of privacy rights.

2: Security: Ensuring the security of electronic information is critical to protect individuals from potential harm, such as identity theft, fraud, or misuse of their personal data. Ethical issues arise when organizations fail to implement appropriate security measures, leaving personal information vulnerable to unauthorized access or malicious activities. Inadequate security measures may also result in data breaches, leading to reputational damage and loss of trust.

3: Data accuracy: Concerns arise when electronic information about individuals is not accurate or reliable. Inaccurate data can lead to wrong decisions, such as denial of services, incorrect medical diagnoses, or unfair treatment. Maintaining data accuracy and integrity is crucial to ensure that individuals’ information is used appropriately and does not result in harm.

4: Data retention and disposal: Another ethical consideration is the appropriate retention and disposal of electronic information about individuals. Retaining data beyond the necessary timeframe or using data for purposes other than its original intent can be ethically problematic. Organizations should establish clear policies and procedures for data retention and disposal to prevent potential misuse or unauthorized access to personal information.