The storage of electronic information about individuals, raises a whole lot of ethical issues, including:
- Privacy: One of the main ethical concerns surrounding the storage of electronic information is the issue of privacy. When organizations collect and store personal information, they have a responsibility to protect that information and ensure that it is not accessed without the individual’s consent. This means taking steps to prevent unauthorized access, such as through encryption and other security measures. Which is very important to consumers, when they are trusting to use any of their personal info.
- Security: In addition to protecting against unauthorized access, organizations also have a responsibility to protect against security breaches and other types of data loss. This includes implementing measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to prevent cyber attacks, as well as regularly backing up and securing data to prevent loss due to natural disasters or other events.
- Accuracy: Another ethical issue related to the storage of electronic information is the need for accuracy. Organizations have a responsibility to ensure that the information they collect and store is accurate and up-to-date, and to take steps to correct any errors or inaccuracies. This is important in order to avoid potentially harmful consequences, such as incorrect medical diagnoses or false accusations of wrongdoing.
- Access: Finally, there is the issue of access to electronic information. In some cases, individuals may want to access their own personal information in order to correct errors or update their records. In other cases, they may want to restrict access to their information, such as by opting out of certain services or refusing to share their information with third parties. Organizations have a responsibility to respect the wishes of individuals in these cases, and to provide them with the appropriate level of access to their information.