When storing electronic information about individuals, there are possible ethical issues that may arise. Richard O. Mason summarizes these with PAPA. It is the acronym that describes these four issues, which are privacy, accuracy, property, and accessibility. The exponential growth of information technology has ushered in an age of free-flowing data that poses a threat to privacy. With advanced “surveillance, communication, computation, storage, and retrieval” methods, questions of concern are regarding what type of information is disclosed and the capacity in which it is disclosed (Mason, 2019). Is there data that should strictly remain confidential across the board? How that data is stored and who has access to it are also viable areas of concern when it comes to privacy. The implications of access to such valuable privileged data require careful consideration, and evolving security measures.
Misinformation is false or inaccurate information (American Psychological Association, 2022). Its prevalence makes accuracy the second ethical issue that becomes known. Across a plethora of industries and many day-to-day activities, is the dependency on accurate data/information. Misinformation has a way of harming people’s lives. Unfortunately, an advantage in power and authority is held by the party with inaccurate information. As much as ensuring accuracy is important, the question of who owns the data is equally concerning.
Ownership of data defines property as our third ethical issue to review. Due to technological capabilities, reproduction of intellectual property can be completed for a fraction of the price. With a few clicks of a computer keypad or strategic swipes on a smartphone text and images can be presented in forms like the original or utilized in ways not intended by the original creator. “This makes information hard to safeguard since, unlike tangible property, it becomes communicable and hard to keep it to one’s self” (Mason, 2019).
Richard O. Mason continues to explain that our main avenue to information is through literacy. To be a literate member of society three merits are essential. The first is intellectual skills. This is determined by a person’s aptitude in areas such as reading, writing, and deductive reasoning. Secondly, information is attainable via outlets such as libraries and electronic devices like television and radio. People can also access information via personal computers. The last crucial merit is the question of access in relation to ownership, and notably deals with the ethical issue of property. These questions of accessibility introduce the fourth ethical concerns regarding information stored electronically.
REFERENCES:
American Psychological Association. (2022, July). Misinformation and disinformation. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/journalism-facts/misinformation- disinformation
Mason, R. (2019). Four Ethical Issues of the Information Age). Gdrc.org. https://www.gdrc.org/info-design/4-ethics.html