Privacy and confidentiality- Ethical concerns arise when electronic information is not stored securely, and when individuals’ personal information is accessed or shared without their consent. One of the most important ethical issues surrounding the storage of electronic information about individuals is privacy and confidentiality. Personal information such as name, address, social security number, and medical records are often stored electronically, and unauthorized access to this information can lead to identity theft or other forms of harm. Additionally, the data should be encrypted to ensure that the data is secure and cannot be accessed by third parties.
Data retention and disposal: Another ethical issue that arises when storing electronic information about individuals is data retention and disposal. It is important to keep data only for as long as it is needed, and once it is no longer necessary, it should be disposed of in a secure and ethical manner. This can be a challenge because data may be stored in multiple locations, and disposing of it can be difficult.
Data breaches and cyberattacks- data breaches and cyber attacks are also major ethical issues when storing electronic information about individuals. These can result in the loss of sensitive data, including personal information, and medical records. It is important to have robust security measures in place to protect against cyber attacks and data breaches, and to have a plan in place for how to respond to these incidents if they occur.
Data accuracy and reliability- Ethical concerns arise when electronic information is not regularly reviewed and updated for accuracy and reliability. Inaccurate data can have a serious consequence for individuals, including loss of privacy, damage to reputation, and loss of trust in the organization responsible for storing the data. For instance, inaccurate information in medical records can lead to incorrect diagnoses or treatment, while incorrect financial information can result in financial harm.