With the feedback on my proposed topic and the cursory research I have done, there really is one primary question:
How should an organization that interacts with the American public define “digital ethics”?
Ideally, I would like to learn:
- what is the current definition and gaps in the digital ethics field
- how advanced is public and private sector organizations awareness of this topic
- the extent to which this topic is considered when these types of organizations make decisions around collection and use of data, leveraging digital capabilities and transparency with external communications
As digital ethics is such an emerging field, I believe that organizations will be keen to have clarity on what exactly is digital ethics and, therefore, how it could impact their operations moving forward.
With the increasing pace of digitization in every aspect of society, the question of how data is being used or technology is being applied will become more common place in the daily life of the “average” (for lack of a better term) American. Should individual know that when purchase a DNA testing kit to find out if they are really 50% Irish, they are potentially giving the government access to their most individual data? Should local police departments be aware that most facial recognition software is developed by Caucasian males and as a result, there is a higher misidentification rate for people of color? Should there be a warning label with digital games that intentionally leverage algorithms to get higher usage rates with their customers? Are automotive insurance customers aware that while those “safe driving” apps may help save them money, there is also a potential to increase their rates as all of their personal driving habits are now being provided to their insurer?
Ethical questions are almost never easy to answer and define. With the rapid growth of technology in so many facets of modern-day society, answering my research question will be a step towards improving understanding of the digitization guardrails.
It may be that your investigation will need to start at a more basic question: what are digital ethics, and how are they practiced in various settings (corporate, governmental, nonprofit)? I’m not sure you’ll find grounds to identify a definition that should be implemented by corporations. Instead, I think you’ll find a variety of definitions that could be applied to one or more (or all) fields where data is collected. The issue with “digital ethics” is that it contains two ultimately contested terms: “digital” and “ethics.” By contested, I mean that we don’t have firm meanings accepted by all for these terms. Does digital mean “data”? If so, does it only refer to PII (personally identifying information)? Does it apply to more than just data users provide, or to data collected through ambient means via online activity? Does it include digital technologies, meaning the use of cloud computing and of digital technologies like phones and computers? And then there’s “ethics.” Is this a universal term, or something that’s culturally nuanced? Does it apply equally across all industries, or are there some sectors where ethics are tighter or looser?
In short, you may end up bogged down by definitions in your research. Which may suggest that your goal should be to define “digital ethics” in a meaningful way that’s broadly applicable across industries. Perhaps that work has already been done — that’s what your research would tell you. But I think your focus on digital ethics alone could be your project. “What are digital ethics in industry?” is itself a pretty challenging question that would be fruitful to explore.