Ethical issues in computer as an instrument of technology growth

Abstract

The recent technological advancement in digital computers has provided a more robust computer based operations in modern industrial society, including manufacturing, transport and distribution, government, the military, health services, education and research. This impact of modern digital computers as an irreplaceable tool for technological growth may likely increase geometrically over the next century. Also, the numerous applications of computers in all facets of life are faced with known and unknown threats as the computer is vulnerable to malfunction and misuse. This creates problems such as computer crime, software theft, hacking, viruses, and the invasions of privacy. Each of these threats has created one or more ethical issues for the computer profession. This research therefore (i) investigates some of the fundamental aspects of ethical issues (such as privacy, computer crime, software piracy, and accessibility) in computer as an instrument of technology growth and its significance for the computer professional, (ii) evaluates the influence of computer ethics on technology growth from computer professionals’ perspective and (iii) proposes solutions to ethical issues in computer through the help of practitioners who had excellent computer, information and communication technology background.