Ethics And Cyber Law
Introduction
For a long time, corporations, retail entities, and big tech, among other players, have had a free hand with what they would do with customer data. Such data is acquired with or sometimes without the knowledge of the concerned customers. Companies have used the data to make strategic and operational decisions or sell it to other interested parties. However, the Federal government has since implemented laws restricting the collection and use of such data at will. Accordingly, it is important to delve into the ethical issues arising from collecting and using customer information on digital platforms.
Ethical Dilemmas of Collecting and Selling Customer Information
An ethical dilemma arises when corporations collect any personal information unnecessarily. Whereas these companies are permitted to collect customer information, their scope is limited to primary data such as names, phone numbers, and emails. However, these companies sometimes go beyond what they are allowed to collect and acquire more data (Facca et al., 2020). Some common forms of data unethically targeted by digital platforms include credit card information, home addresses, search history, and transactional history, among others, contributing to ethical dilemmas. Besides, an ethical dilemma also arises when these companies share or sell the data they collect. A problem occurs when companies sell data without minding the third party’s intentions. Standard ethics require those vending crucial data to enquire and confirm what third parties do with customers’ personal data.
From an ethical standpoint, companies need to practice honest data collection. That begins with collecting the only data they are permitted to have, such as basic personal information (Martin et al., 2019). Companies must avoid collecting irrelevant but private data such as search history and transactional history. Also, companies must observe privacy by limiting who and how they share data. Sharing data with third parties may expose customers to hacks and potential theft, hence the need to take caution before transmitting data (Martin et al., 2019). Further, there is a need for companies to restrict their employees’ access to some of the data since some of them might be to no good.
Should Provision of Personal Information be Optional For Customers?
Based on the growing privacy concerns, there is a need to guarantee customers the option of sharing or not sharing their personal data. For instance, data shows that many Americans are willing to share their personal data with digital marketplace platforms. However, these customers often become cautious and unhappy about what these companies do with their data. Customers appreciate personalization and other tangible benefits from sharing information, but they get aggrieved by what happens afterwards (Facca et al., 2020). Based on this assessment, companies should make personal data sharing optional for customers to bolster trust and transparency. Making data sharing optional will have some customers opt out, and as a result, the companies that collect the data will become more accountable by implementing privacy policies and revealing what happens to customers’ data.
Ethical Benefits and Drawbacks of Data Collection
Firstly, one of the ethical benefits of data collection is that it aids a business in having a deeper understanding of its customers. The data provides insight into how customers behave online, thus helping a company to define its customers’ demographics (Facca et al., 2020). The information enables a business to understand what products/services customers want from a company and how they would like to interact with the brand. This enables the business to enhance the overall shopping experience. Also, the data enables businesses to avail discounts and coupons to regular customers. For instance, a frequent online restaurant customer will get notifications about an offer at the restaurant, active for the next 24 hours.
On the flip side, there are ethical drawbacks associated with the collection of customer data. A common drawback is that the data is accessible to many parties if a company lacks internal controls (Facca et al., 2020). Besides, such data is open to being manipulated to the detriment of the customer. That is where the issue of theft and hacks arises.
Christian Worldview on the Exploitation of Customer Data for Financial Gain
Do not steal’ is one of God’s commandments to his people. From a Christian perspective, firms are bound to protect customers’ data from theft. The commandment applies to companies that can take advantage of their access to data and steal from their customers (Moranski, 2017). The commandment also requires businesses to go beyond their own way to ensure data is protected from hackers who may use it to make financial gains. Also, a Christian perspective emphasizes the need to practice effective customer relations management. The principles of CRM are emphasized in 1 John 3:10-24 (Moranski, 2017). The Bible teaches Christians to embrace brotherly love by desisting from practices that put others at risk of loss.
Conclusion
In conclusion, customer data collection by businesses, digital platforms, and big tech is not a new thing. Companies use personal data to enhance customers’ shopping experience, personalize their products/services, and avail useful offers to the customer. However, ethical concerns about the collection and distribution of data are common. These concerns include companies collecting more than the necessary information and distributing the data to potential hackers. Organizations must embrace best ethical practices by only collecting primary data, protecting it from vulnerabilities, and safeguarding their customers’ data.
References
Facca, D., Smith, M. J., Shelley, J., Lizotte, D., & Donelle, L. (2020). Exploring the ethical issues in research using digital data collection strategies with minors: A scoping review. PLOS ONE, 15(8), e0237875. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237875
Martin, K., Shilton, K., & Smith, J. (2019). Business and the Ethical Implications of Technology: Introduction to the Symposium. Journal of Business Ethics, 160(2), 307–317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04213-9
Moranski, W. (2017). Cyberspace: Ethical Issues and Catholic Perspectives (Doctoral dissertation, Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry).
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Question 
Currently, federal laws focus on protecting some financial and credit information, children’s privacy, some medical information, social security numbers (sometimes), required notice of the company’s privacy policy (to explain the entity’s information-sharing practices to their customers), notice of the use of internet cookies, the Do Not Call list, and network security to prevent security breaches, to name a few focuses. However, there are no laws protecting other customer information. Many businesses require customers’ personal information to be shared with the business in order to purchase a product or service from the business, for example, name, address, email address, and phone number. Some of this information is also obtained when a credit or debit card is used in a transaction. This information is often shared or sold. Much information that was formerly considered private is now readily accessible by anyone with access to the internet. Some additional issues related to sharing and selling such information include identity theft, robomarketing, geotracking, and cyberstalking.
Ethics And Cyber Law
Pick one ethical dilemma arising from the collection of customer information and one ethical dilemma arising from the sharing or selling of customer information. From an ethical standpoint, how should a business handle a customer’s information?
Discuss whether customers should have the option to provide personal information during a transaction.
The use of various forms of technology in business is ubiquitous. Discuss the potential ethical benefits and drawbacks of the use of technology in business regarding customer information. For example, think about the potential benefit of receiving coupons or notices of sales regarding the type of food a customer purchases because the customer’s food purchases are tracked. In addition, think about the potential danger of businesses or the government knowing what kind of food a person purchases because the business or government is tracking food purchases, then denying or limiting access to health care or health insurance based on the purchase of foods that are considered unhealthy.
From a Christian worldview, discuss the ethical dilemmas regarding businesses’ exploitation of customers’ personal information for financial gain.