Ethical Issue Privacy

Question: Discuss about theEthical Issue for Privacy. Answer: Introduction Currently, ethical dilemma has become a major issue for the business organizations. An ethical dilemma refers as a situation wherever people prefer either an ethical or an unethical thing to do. In other words, nowadays, ethical dilemma has become a major area of distress for the business firms. Along with this, this research essay is helpful to exemplify a case of ethical dilemma that is linked to the information and communication technology (ICT). In addition, this research essay is also helpful to represent a terrible ICT related issue that is related to data privacy of the customers. Ethical Dilemma: Apple vs. FBI A moment ago, an ethical dilemma occurred on the platform of Apple Inc. The major issue in this case was that FBI wants to unlock the cell phones of Apple to do investigation of a terrorist. The iphones of Apple are encrypted to protect data as well as privacy of customers. In this case, the US court asked Apple Inc. to help FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) to unlock an iPhone that belongs to one of the shooters of the San Bernardino attack (Kharpal, 2016). In this case, the major reason of ethical dilemma was not relate to unlock a phone. But, the main reason of ethical dilemma was that the FBI asked to Apple Inc. to develop new software to confiscate particular security protections that the organization accumulated in its iphones to protect data and personal information of the customers. On the other hand, it is well known that, Apple Inc. did not have any issue in order to unlock a phone. In the past, Apple Inc. has unlocked lots of phones to assist the government in some other cases (Harris, 2016). In this case, Tim Cook, the chief executive officer of Apple Inc. clearly declared that the company would not amend its mobile software to facilitate the FBI to unlock phone of an activist. In this case, Apple Inc. is absolutely right on its place. The main reason behind it is that it is related to security and privacy for the customers. Apart from this, the firm is totally dedicated to protect the confidential information of its customers. In this case, FBI may notify that what information is essential from the unlocking of the iphone. But, FBI wants to develop software to disclose the information of the user. This step of FBI is unethical and also responsible to create a situation of ethical dilemma for the organization (Lichtblau Benner, 2016). Ethical Theories to Analysis a Situation of Ethical Dilemma The situation of an ethical dilemma is perilous because of it influences the success and growth of an organization in a negative way. On the other hand, ethical theories play a major role to reduce the chances of ethical dilemmas in an effective way. Business firms may adopt and implement ethical theories in order to find out the appropriateness or unfairness of actions or decisions that are performed in a particular case. Along with this, utilitarianism and deontology are the two important ethical theories that are valuable to condense a circumstance of ethical dilemma in an ethical way (Lamb, Hair McDaniel, 2014). The major classical ethical theories are portrayed as below: Utilitarianism Theory: Utilitarianism is a major classical theory of ethics. The utilitarianism theory of ethics is related to the happiness of the people. Along with this, the aim of this theory is to generate the extreme amount of contentment to the maximum number of people. The utilitarianism theory describes that; the business organizations must do the things for the pleasure of the people as well as society. In other words, the business firms pay their attention on the delight of the people in order to execute the ethical things or activities (Pollock, 2006). In the relation of given scenario, the activities or actions performed by the FBI were unethical. FBI developed new software only to get personal information of a terrorist. The action of FBI influenced the image and reputation of the Apple Inc. in a negative way. The customers provide their private information to telecommunication firms because of they have faith that the firms will not release their confidential information for the benefit of o thers. The business firms are also responsible to protect their data and information. But, FBI spoiled the image of Apple Inc. in the eyes of its customers. According to the utilitarianism theory of ethics, this case is related to the privacy of people (Lo, 2012). As a consequence, the actions or decisions of FBI are totally unethical and responsible to create an ethical dilemma for the organization. Deontology Theory: Deontology theory is also an important theory of ethics. The theory states that the actions or activities carried out by the people must be ethical or accurate (Pollock, 2016). Along with this, the sources that are used to complete these activities must also be fair. In the context of the given case scenario, the actions performed by FBI were not ethical. It is because of FBI may ask to Apple Inc, for the required information. But, FBI developed software to obtain the information of a terrorist. The software exposed all the confidential information of the customers. In this way, according to the Deontology theory, the actions performed by FBI are out of place and totally unethical (Lamb, Hair McDaniel, 2011). Conclusion/Recommendations On the premise of above conversation, it is clear that, these days, the business firms are facing the issues of ethical dilemmas that are negatively influencing the market image of the firms. Along with this, in this case, the court and FBI must understand the privacy concern of the organization. The court should ask to unlock the iphone. The court should not permit FBI to develop software to get the personal information of a user. Moreover, FBI should also comprehend the concern of the firm and should not oblige to do something that is out of the limits for an organization. In this way, these steps may be beneficial to reduce the chances of ethical dilemma in this case. References Harris, S. (2016). Apple Unlocked iPhones for the Feds 70 Times Before. Retrieved From: https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/17/apple-unlocked-iphones-for-the-feds-70-times-before.html Kharpal, A. (2016). Apple vs FBI: All you need to know. Retrieved From: https://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/29/apple-vs-fbi-all-you-need-to-know.html Lamb, C.W., Hair, J.F., McDaniel, C. (2011). Essentials of Marketing. USA: Cengage Learning. Lamb, C.W., Hair, J.F., McDaniel, C. (2014). MKTG 8. USA: Cengage Learning. Lichtblau, E., Benner, K. (2016). Apple Fights Order to Unlock San Bernardino Gunmans iPhone. Retrieved From: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/18/technology/apple-timothy-cook-fbi-san-bernardino.html?_r=0 Lo, B. (2012). Resolving Ethical Dilemmas: A Guide for Clinicians. Australia: Lippincott Williams Wilkins. Pollock, J. (2006). Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice. USA: Cengage Learning. Pollock, J. M. (2016). Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice. USA: Cengage Learning.