Neko

D333 - Ethics in Tech


Last updated: May 4th, 2023

Essentials

Terms and Definitions:

  • Consequentialism:
    • A moral theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based on their consequences.
  • Utilitarianism:
    • A specific form of consequentialism that defines the right action as the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people.
  • Hedonism:
    • A philosophical theory that places pleasure and happiness as the primary or intrinsic good.
  • Deontology:
    • A moral theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based on their inherent moral principles or duties, regardless of the consequences.
  • Virtue:
    • In ethics, virtue refers to a moral quality or character trait that promotes moral excellence and guides one's behavior towards morally upright actions.
  • Relativism:
    • A philosophical perspective that suggests morality is relative and can vary based on cultural, individual, or societal beliefs, with no absolute or universal moral truths.
  • Protected Attribute:
    • In the context of AI bias and discrimination, a protected attribute refers to a characteristic or trait that is legally safeguarded against discrimination, such as race, gender, religion, age, disability, etc.

Differences:

  • Copyright vs. Trademark vs. Patent:
    • Copyright:
      • Provides protection to original creative works, such as books, music, software, and art, giving the creator exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display their work for a limited period.
    • Trademark:
      • Protects brand names, logos, and symbols used to distinguish goods or services of one company from others, allowing the owner to prevent others from using confusingly similar marks in the same industry.
    • Patent:
      • Grants inventors exclusive rights to their inventions, preventing others from making, using, or selling the patented invention without permission for a limited period.
  • Certification vs. License:
    • Certification:
      • A process where an individual or organization meets specific criteria or standards set by a certifying body to demonstrate competence or compliance in a particular field or skill.
    • License:
      • A formal permission or authorization granted by a government or regulatory authority that allows an individual or entity to engage in certain activities or use specific resources or technologies.

Legal:

  • Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA):
    • A United States federal law that governs surveillance activities and collection of intelligence information concerning foreign powers and agents on U.S. soil or involving U.S. citizens abroad.
  • USA PATRIOT Act:
    • Enacted in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this U.S. law grants authorities broader powers to combat terrorism, including enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and expanded law enforcement capabilities.
  • Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA):
    • A U.S. law that governs the privacy of electronic communications, such as email and phone conversations, and regulates how law enforcement can intercept and access such communications.
  • Wiretap Act (Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act):
    • A U.S. law that sets forth the procedures and requirements for law enforcement to obtain authorization for wiretaps and electronic surveillance for criminal investigations.
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
    • A comprehensive data protection regulation implemented by the European Union (EU) to protect the privacy and personal data of EU citizens and residents.
  • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):
    • A U.S. federal law that grants the public the right to request access to federal agency records or information to promote transparency and openness in government.
  • EU Data Protection Directive:
    • An older EU law (replaced by GDPR) that previously regulated the processing and protection of personal data within EU member states.
  • False Claims Act:
    • A U.S. federal law that allows individuals to file lawsuits on behalf of the government against entities that have defrauded government programs.
  • Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA):
    • A U.S. law that regulates the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and privacy in credit reporting.
  • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA):
    • A U.S. law aimed at stimulating economic recovery through various initiatives, including infrastructure projects and tax incentives.
  • Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA):
    • A U.S. law that regulates the handling and protection of consumers' financial information by financial institutions.
  • Communications Decency Act (CDA):
    • A U.S. law that seeks to regulate indecent and obscene content on the internet, particularly concerning the transmission of such content to minors.
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA):
    • A U.S. law that prohibits U.S. companies and individuals from engaging in bribery and corrupt practices in foreign countries.
  • John Doe Lawsuit:
    • A legal action where the true identity of one or more defendants is unknown or not disclosed, allowing the plaintiff to proceed with the case and identify the defendants later.
  • Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP):
    • Lawsuits filed to intimidate, silence, or harass individuals or organizations that criticize or oppose powerful entities, often impeding their freedom of speech.

Resources