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Ethics in Information Technology, Fifth Edition 9781285197159

Chapter 4

Privacy

Self-Assessment Questions

Discussion Questions

1. Do you think The Journal News was justified in publishing the names and addresses of regis–

tered gun owners? An FOIA exemption prevents disclosure of records if it would invade

someone’s personal privacy. Is this an example in which a person’s privacy interests are

clearly outweighed by competing public interests. Why or why not?

Students’ answers will vary. Some students may feel that the newspaper was not justified in pub–

2. Prepare a set of arguments that would support the contention that the USA PATRIOT Act

was overreaching in both its scope and its approach. Then prepare a set of arguments that

support the USA PATRIOT Act as the proper and appropriate way to protect the United

States from further terrorist acts.

Students’ answers will vary. Overreaching: The Patriot Act gave sweeping new powers both to do–

mestic law enforcement and U.S. international intelligence agencies, including increasing the abili–

3. Go to the Web site of one of the three primary consumer credit reporting companies

(Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). Find the instructions to request a free credit report, and

do so. How long did it take to receive your free credit report? Is there information on the re–

port you believe to be in error? Check the Web site and credit report to find out how can you

dispute any information which you believe is in error.

4. Are surveillance cameras worth the cost in terms of resources and loss of privacy, given the

role that they play in deterring or solving crimes?

5. The use of National Security Letters by the FBI is highly controversial and has been chal–

lenged in court several times. These lawsuits are in various stages of hearings and appeals.

Why do you think the use of NSL has been challenged in court so many times? Do research to

document the status of the NSL gag provision.

Students’ answers will vary. Some students may say that the use of National Security Letters

(NSLs) has been challenged in court so many times as it violates individual privacy rights. An NSL

6. Briefly summarize the key facts in Katz v. United States. Do you agree with the Supreme

Court’s ruling in this case? Why did this case set such an important precedent?

Students’ answers will vary. Katz was convicted of illegal gambling based on recordings by the

FBI of Katz’s side of various telephone calls made from a public phone booth; the recordings were

7. Do research to find out the current status of “Do Not Track,” and write a two- to three- para–

graph paper summarizing your findings.

8. What is a pen register? What is required in order for a law enforcement agency to gain ap-

proval for a pen register?

9. Summarize the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Does it apply to the actions of a

publicly held company toward its employees?

10. Do you feel that information systems to fight terrorism should be developed and used even if

they infringe on privacy rights or violate the Privacy Act and other such statutes?

11. Why do employers monitor workers? Do you think they should be able to do so? Why or why

not?

12. Do you think that law enforcement agencies should be able to use advanced surveillance cam–

eras and data from vehicle data recorders in a court of law? Why or why not?

Students’ answers will vary. Surveillance cameras are used in major cities around the world in an

effort to deter crime and terrorist activities. Critics believe that such scrutiny is a violation of civil

13. Do you think that the installation of stalker software on suspects’ cell phones should be au–

thorized for law enforcement agencies? If so, under what circumstances should such use be

permitted? If not, why not.

What Would You Do

1. Students’ answers will vary. A stalking app, cell phone spy software, can be loaded onto someone’s

cell phone or smartphone within minutes, making it possible for the user to perform location track–

4. Students’ answers will vary. Students could emphasize that the “Do Not Track” option would make

5. Some students may suggest the friend that before divulging any personal information, he or she

6. Students’ answers will vary. It would be a good idea to consult with the company’s IT manager and

7. One of the advantages of the market strategy of purchasing customer data from a company could

be that emails are very inexpensive to send. By using the personal information to target likely pur–

8. Students’ answers will vary. Students should expect to hear concerns about the ‘fairness’ of the pol–

Cases

Case 1: “Extraterritorial Jurisdiction” Puts Citizen Data at Risk

1. Students’ answers will vary. Some students may suggest that individual countries should come up

2. Students’ answers will vary. Students may suggest that the gag provision—which prohibits Nation–

3. Students’ answers will vary. Germany, Japan, and Canada are examples of countries having a legis–

Case 2: Facebook Troubles with User Privacy

1. Students’ answers will vary. Some students may suggest that Facebook should be held responsible

2. Student’s answers will vary. Some of them may say that instead of adding more features and op–

tions to the existing privacy settings, Facebook should resort to simplifying the existing structure

Case 3: Google Collects Unprotected Wireless Network Information

1. Students’ answers will vary. Some students may be of the opinion that even though the controversy

countries where they have operated.