There is a strong
perception that with the advent of technology, the possibilities of
cyber-security breaches, hacking of personal information, and online financial
frauds would increase dramatically. Further, the introduction of deepfakes has
raised major ethical issues as it has the potential to destroy our old
deep-rooted belief that “seeing is believing”. Now, it is seemingly impossible
to believe even after seeing an act online. This would greatly infringe on an
individual’s ability for decision-making and is viewed as highly disturbing.
اضافة اعلان
So, what can the
technology industry do to survive the numerous challenges, stay relevant, and
grow as dramatically as it has been doing for the past many years? Are there
many choices besides continuously innovating, being agile, and maintaining a
dynamic balance while grappling with critical perceptions, shifting realities,
and unexpected disruptions in the global economy.
Eight Years ago
brought a sea change in the U.S. and Europe to our understanding of the impact
of nation-state disinformation campaigns on major social media platforms.
December brought the most definitive assessment yet, with a report sponsored by
the Senate Intelligence Committee using data provided under subpoena by the
major platforms. Among other things, it showed that between 2015 and 2017, more
than
30 million users shared state-sponsored Facebook and Instagram posts with their family and friends, liking, reacting
to, and commenting on them along the way.
The introduction of deepfakes has raised major ethical issues as it has the potential to destroy our old deep-rooted belief that “seeing is believing”.
Deepfake content is
increasing and fueling the spread of false information. As people become aware
that deepfake content may be produced and disseminated, frequently with
malicious intentions, they are beginning to doubt the public’s perception of
video as legitimate content. Businesses must be ready with verification tools
to ensure their legitimate content is not used improperly, for example, when
Israel launched a strike at the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City many Western
news organizations, including The New York Times, reported the Israeli military’s assertion that the blast was the result
of a failed rocket launch by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an armed group aligned
with Hamas, but the Palestinian supports dinged deep to clarify the truth and
the used many verification techniques to prove that the IDF is the one who hit
the hospital and killed more than 200 innocent civilians relying on evidence
like a tweet of a IDF general commander.
Ethical dilemmas
Businesses today
are faced with several ethical challenges. Critical decisions have to be made
to ensure we are protecting personal freedoms and using data appropriately.
Which ethical issues are the most important in 2023?
One of the primary
ethical dilemmas in our technologically empowered age revolves around how
businesses use personal information. As we browse internet sites, make online
purchases, enter our information on websites, engage with different businesses
online, and participate in social media, we are constantly providing personal
details. Companies often gather information to hyper-personalize our online
experiences, but to what extent is that information actually impeding our right
to privacy?
Personal
information is the new gold, as the saying goes. We have commoditized data
because of the value it provides to businesses attempting to reach their
consumer base. But when does it go too far? For businesses, it’s extremely
valuable to know what kind of products are being searched for and what type of
content people are consuming the most. For political figures, it’s important to
know what kind of social or legal issues are getting the most attention. These
valuable data points are often exploited so that businesses or entities can
make money or advance their goals. Facebook in particular has come under fire
several times over the years for selling personal data it gathers on its
platform.
One thing that
became evident during the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections was the
potential of misinformation to gain a wider support base. The effect created
polarization that has had wide-reaching effects on global economic and
political environments. In contrast to how information was accessed prior to
the internet, we are constantly flooded with real-time events and news as it
breaks. Celebrities and political figures can disseminate opinions on social
media without fact-checking, which is then aggregated and further spread
despite its accuracy—or inaccuracy. Information no longer undergoes the
strenuous validation process that we formerly used to publish newspapers and
books.
Ultimately, we need to create a culture of responsibility within technology. If the information technology workforce and industry giants believe they are responsible for the safe and ethical usage of technology, then we will see more governance and fair use of data.
Similarly, we used
to believe that video told a story that was undeniably rooted in truth. But
deepfake technology now allows such a sophisticated manipulation of digital
imagery that people appear to be saying and doing things that never happened.
The potential for privacy invasion and misuse of identity is very high with the
use of this technology.
Taking responsibility
Most companies
operate with a hybrid stack, comprised of a blend of third-party and owned
technology. As a result, there is often some confusion about where
responsibility lies when it comes to governance, the use of big data,
cybersecurity concerns, and managing personally identifiable information or
PII. Whose responsibility is it really to
ensure data is protected? If you engage a third party for software that
processes payments, do you bear any responsibility if credit card details are
breached? The fact is that it’s everyone’s job. Businesses need to adopt a
perspective where all collective parties share responsibility.
Unlike business
ethics, ethical technology is about ensuring there is a moral relationship that
exists between technology and users. Businesses that engage in ethical
technology have a firm moral sense of employee rights and customer protection.
Data is valuable, but the employees and customers who power your business are
undoubtedly your greatest asset.
Data is undoubtedly
something of value for businesses. It allows companies to target their
marketing strategies and refine product offerings, but it can also be an
invasive use of privacy bringing many ethical considerations to the forefront.
Data protection measures and compliance procedures can help ensure that data
isn’t leaked or used inappropriately. Ultimately, we need to create a culture
of responsibility within technology. If the information technology workforce
and industry giants believe they are responsible for the safe and ethical usage
of technology, then we will see more governance and fair use of data.
Since the way to
the solution isn’t a straight line, it is obvious that there isn’t a single
solution. However, as we move into 2023 and beyond, information technology will
become increasingly important to how we work, play, and live. The capacity of
tech organizations to prosper in the upcoming years will undoubtedly be
impacted by how they continue to support clients with their digital
transformations and how they manage and accept new technology.
Dr. Hamza Alakaleek
is a Corporate lawyer and tax consultant with post-graduate degrees in
international political economy, international business law, and law and
technology with a focus on internet of things, artificial intelligence and data
protection.
Disclaimer:
Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Jordan News' point of view.
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