Computer Science: An Overview: Global Edition (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson Higher Education
ISBN 10: 1292061162
ISBN 13: 978-1-29206-116-0

Chapter 4 - Networking and the Internet - Social Issues - Page 214: 7

Answer

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Work Step by Step

The ethical issue raised by designing registration software to send additional information to the developer during the registration process is primarily related to privacy and informed consent. 1. **Invasion of Privacy**: Automatically scanning the contents of a user's system and reporting other software packages found without explicit consent can be seen as an invasion of privacy. Users may not expect their personal data, beyond what is necessary for registration, to be accessed and transmitted without their knowledge. 2. **Lack of Informed Consent**: Users may not be aware that the registration software is collecting and transmitting additional information beyond what is necessary for registration. Without informed consent, users are unable to make an informed decision about whether they are comfortable with their data being shared in this manner. 3. **Security Concerns**: Transmitting additional information about a user's system, such as software packages installed, could potentially pose security risks. If this data is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties, it could lead to vulnerabilities or exploitation of the user's system. 4. **Potential for Abuse**: The developer could potentially misuse the additional information collected from users' systems. This could include targeted advertising, selling the data to third parties, or using it for other purposes not disclosed to the users during the registration process. The correct ethical stance would be to ensure transparency and obtain explicit consent from users before collecting and transmitting any additional information beyond what is necessary for the registration process. Users should have the option to opt-in or opt-out of sharing such information, and they should be fully informed about how their data will be used and protected.
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