Code of Ethics Worksheet 1
Criterion 7: Demonstrate understanding of the societal and professional
responsibilities in the area of technology
Criterion 9: Communicate technological information.
Select three out of the four scenarios
below and discuss the ethical
considerations.
You must make specific reference to the
Australian Computer Society Code of
Professional Conduct when justifying
your opinions.
https://www.acs.org.au/__data/assets/pdf
_file/0014/4901/Code-of-ProfessionalConduct_v2.1.pdf
Scenario 1
Jean, a statistical database programmer, is trying to write a large statistical program
needed by her company. Programmers in the company are encouraged to write about
their work and publish their algorithms in professional journals. After months of
tedious programming, Jean has found herself stuck on several parts of the program.
Her manager, not recognising the complexity of the task, wants the program finished
within the next few days.
Not knowing how to solve the problem, Jean remembers that a co-worker had given
her source code from his current work and from an early version of a commercial
software package developed at another company. On studying these programs, she
recognises two areas of code that can be directly incorporated into her own program.
She uses segments of code both from her co-worker and the commercial package but
does not tell anyone or mention it in the documentation. She finishes the project on
time.
Scenario 2
Three years ago Diane started her own consulting business. She has been so
successful that she now employs several people and has many clients. Their
consulting work involves advising how to network computers, designing database
management systems and advising about security. Presently she is designing a
database management system for the personnel office of a medium sized business.
Diane has involved the clients in the design process, informing the CEO, the director
of computing and the director of personnel about the progress of the system.
Dianne has described several options to the client. Because the system is going to cost
more than they had planned, the client has opted for the less secure system. She
believes the information they will be storing is extremely sensitive. It will include
performance evaluations, medical records for filing insurance claims, salaries and so
forth. With weak security, employees may be able to figure ways to get access to this
data, not to mention the possibility of hackers from outside the company. Diane feels
the security should be much stronger. She tries to explain the risks but the CEO
decides that the less secure system will do. What should she do? Should she refuse to
build the system?
Scenario 3
Following a major change in the tax system, a software development company has
produced a new software package that incorporates the latest tax laws and calculates
taxes for both individuals and small businesses. The president of the company knows
that the program has a number of bugs. He also believes that the first company to put
this software on the market is likely to capture the largest market share. The company
widely advertises the program. When users install the software it includes a
disclaimer of responsibility for errors resulting from the use of the program.
The company expects that it will receive a number of complaints, queries and
suggestions for modifications. The company plans to use these to make changes and
eventually issue an updated, improved and debugged version. The president argues
that everyone expects first versions to have bugs and will take proper precautions. A
number of users file incorrect tax returns and are fined by the Australian Tax Office.
Scenario 4
A software consultant is negotiating a contract with a local community to design their
traffic control system. He recommends they select the TCS system out of several
available systems on the market. The consultant fails to mention that he is a major
shareholder in the company producing the TCS software.
Reference
https://www.acs.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/30964/ACS_Ethics_Case_Studies
_v2.1.pdf