Verified Document

Ethics And The Internet Use Term Paper

This is due to the newsfeed in the profile of each user. The argument of the company is that the news feed will ensure the users get to see more content from others. however, this means that there is no certainty of the next item that the user will see on the news feed. This is a serious privacy issue to the user because they cannot view their news feed at free will because of fear on the content of the feed (Milenkovski, 2011, p1). This limits the convenience of this site to the users because of the indecency that arises out of the website. In this instance, the company should introduce appropriate measures to curb against this issue on indecency. There should be software that detects some indecent language. This will then inhibit the viewing of such information to the public. It is necessary that there are regulations that curb the posting of photos. Some of the photos that are posted on the website are not appropriate for all the users due to their indecent nature. Furthermore, there is some information and photos that is fundamentally not convenient to the whole fraternity of Face book. An example is discrimination content against some parties. The company has to introduce some privacy policies that ensure that the user can only view the content that they deem suitable for them. This will ensure that users are not exposed to these photos. The social site should also make policies that regulate on the type of content that should be posted by users. Through the abolishment of this content that has a lot of indecency, most users will not have to fear for their privacy and the caution that they normally have when on the website due to indecency (Freishtar, 2010, p512).

Google is particularly affected by indecency a lot. This is due to the easy availability of indecent material in the search pages of the website. It is extremely easy for users of this service to find suggestions that offer pornographic content. The main issue arises when there is no clear indication as to who should have access to this material. This is because of the lack of enough regulations that control this area. In most cases, Google ask the user whether they are of legal age. This does not serve the purpose since any of the users can falsely consent to this question. Thus, even children gain access to the pornographic content by this mere consent. Some of these links lead to YouTube where users can watch videos of some pornographic material (Hong, 2008, p3). This leads to indecency in the culture of the children who gain easy access to this material. It was due to this issue on indecency that the China government took action against the company. Google offers these services with the intention of profits. Also, the comoany believes that this would be an infringement to the freedom of speech to the users of the website. All this can be avoided if there are appropriate policies. Google should tighten the privacy policies by removing all the links that lead to indecency. One way to do this is to disable pornographic suggestion in the searches. In some instances, the company should block pornographic links totally.

Internet and defamation

Defamation refers to the production of information with the intention of tainting the images of others. This is either through writing or just the mere word of mouth. The internet has provided a remarkably convenient channel for people to send information with the intention of either tainting the image of an individual or an individual. This is not appropriate because some of the info0rmation has no basis, and its only intention is to hurt others. This is especially rampant in the social media. This is because in most of these circumstances, there are no limitations as to what is suitable. Also, there are limited measures that can lead to the identification of users in their real life. This leads to most people posting information about others and then using fake online characters to conceal their real identities (Noor & Hendricks, 2012, p241).

Face book is the most rampant when it comes to this issue on defamation. Most people take advantage of its convenience to post any kind of information that they want about others. A prime reason is that this site provides for people to use it without the proper identification. This means that one person can register under different accounts for different purposes. The person can then use these...

Face book does not have a system where there can be detection of the identification of the user. This means that a user can use the account for whichever reason that they wish with the knowledge that they are safe. This provides a channel where people channel hate speech against others. This can happen through the formation of groups on Face book (Claypoole & Payton, 2012, p118). These groups normally have a common case, and this can include one that spreads damaging rumors about others. Also, there are users who use the individual accounts to update and comment on information against others. Individuals could also lead to the increase in forms of discrimination such as racism. Face book can regulate this by changing the settings under which groups are formed. This regulates their formation and, therefore, there is enough cause for the formation if one.
The policy that Google has is perhaps the most worrying. This is because it provides that the company is not liable to any defamation. The company also explicitly expresses that it is not liable for any damage that may result out of such an act. The main reason that the company uses in its defense is that everyone has the freedom of speech. The company states that regulation of material as to being defamatory against others would be an infringement to this right. Despite some of the material that is posted in the services that the company offers, there is a stern policy that is in place to let the material stay. Google says that only person who feels aggrieved by the content should address them for a sub-poena (Waward, 2012, p1). The individual will then take the matter to court, and if the court finds the claim to be true, then the company removes the material from its system. It is only court order that can guide the company to get rid of the information. However, there needs to be a revision of this policy. This is because some individuals may take advantage of the long court processes in the defamation of others. With this, then there is a compromise of the information that is said against others.

Internet and Intellectual property

Some individuals invent ideas that have not been in use before. This is the intellectually property. There has to be protection from this due to the high chances of theft of ideas by other people. This idea could provide the financial breakthrough of the individual or it would just put them on the map as inventors. The material that is invented in the recent past is mostly on a technological basis with the majority being apps. Some people take to Face book to try and steal the ideas from other people then recollect them for their own benefit. This could be through analyzing of forums where people discuss these issues (Winterfedlt, 2012, p22). However, Face book does have a policy that ensures that there is total protection of the ideas. This is through the companies' statement on responsibilities. It is imperative that the ideas of individuals are protected. The company could also consider regulating the forums to ensure that the issues discussed are not stolen by others. Also, the company should check for the validity of the ideas of the developers who approach the company for a chance of a partnership (Strand, 2011, p110). The same should apply to Google where many people look for information. This could be through the patenting of ideas before they are posted on the website. This gives credit to the owners of the intellectual property and discourages the thieves (Eko & Qingjiang, 2012, p12).

Conclusion

The internet is an excellent source of entertainment to many. This is especially in the social media where people interact and share ideas. However, there are ethical issues that result from the internet. In most situations, the websites do not consider it a big issue because of the profits that they receive. These issues include the privacy of individuals. Face book has been under criticism for its extremely weak measures in the regulation of privacy. There is adequate evidence that the company does not offer the best privacy protection to users of the site. The ethical issue on defamation is also another crucial issue in this field. This is where some individuals take to Face book to post information about others without regulation. Google does not offer any protection against this and states that they…

Sources used in this document:
References

Butler, E, McCann, E, & Thomas, J 2011, 'Privacy Setting Awareness on Facebook and Its

Effect on User-Posted Content', Human Communication, 14, 1, pp. 39-55,

Communication & Mass Media Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 29 April 2012.

Claypoole, T., & Payton, T. (2012). Protecting your Internet identity: are you naked online?
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Computer Ethics: Internet Privacy One
Words: 1058 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Unfortunately, many consumers may not be aware of their photographic image being used in this fashion and even if they were, existing privacy laws fail to provide any substantive protections. For example, in response to these trends, the Harvard Law Review published an essay entitled, "In the Face of Danger: Facial Recognition and Privacy Law," with a majority of the article describing how "privacy law, in its current form, is

CEO Memo on Internet Use
Words: 2628 Length: 8 Document Type: Essay

consultation done for a CEO of a Fortune 500 company regarding use of internet by its employees. The consultation will look into internet usage by employees and possible ways to reduce illegal use of internet at the workplace. Torts that the employees might be committing using the Workplace Internet There are quite a number of torts that could be committed by employees at the workplace. Quite a number of legal cases

Internet Abuse in Universities Why
Words: 1663 Length: 5 Document Type: Case Study

At the bottom line, the issue at hand is with the sanctity and safety of the students and the responsibility of the university to preserve and develop that. Moreover, many of these students are dallying into multi-dimensional virtual worlds that are beginning to closely resemble the physical world and that are having their own ethical issues arise (Wankel & Malleck, 2010). Universities need to educate themselves as to what those

Ethics in Technology
Words: 1965 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Paper

Ethics in Technology Business - Management The purpose of this paper is to highlight and present the ethical issues that are involved in using modern technology. The paper highlights some of the current ethical issues faced by computer users that are due to unethical practice and lack of proper ethical policies by different businesses. The paper pinpoints the causes and gives recommendation on how the current issues can be minimized. A portion

Ethical Leadership Given the Recent Crash on
Words: 4439 Length: 15 Document Type: Research Paper

Ethical Leadership Given the recent crash on Wall Street and the housing market symbolized by corrupt financiers like Bernard Madoff, ethical and moral leadership of corporations has become a major issue for those who study the American capitalist system. In reality, such concerns about the lack of morality in business, government and society as a while has increased significantly in the last thirty years, which undoubtedly has been an era that

Ethics Table Q1.Brief Definitions of
Words: 870 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Consequence-based ethics c. I believe people should be able to eat sand because it is the right thing to do. Duty-based ethics d. I believe people should be able to eat sand because it is good for one's health. Virtue ethics e. I believe people should be able to eat sand if they decide they want to, regardless of whether it is someone else's sand. Entitlement-based ethics f. I believe people should be

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now