Description
Book SynopsisComputing technology is constantly evolving and changing, developing and consolidating its position as a vital component of our lives. It no longer plays a minor part in society it is embedded in, and affects, all aspects of life, from education to healthcare to war. Dealing with the implications of this is a major challenge, and one that can impact upon us, both personally and professionally. As a consequence, it is vital that all in the computing industry make wise decisions regarding their conduct.
Using case studies and discussion topics drawn from entertaining real world examples, Pandora's Box examines the background of a wide range of vital contemporary issues, encouraging readers to examine the social, legal and ethical challenges they will face in their own careers.
Written in an engaging style and packed with international examples, this book addresses topics which have come to the forefront of public consciousness in recent years, such as online crime, pir
Trade Review
'I.T. has triggered complex social, political, economic and ethical issues that need urgent action if we are to survive the coming decades of unprecedented technological change. This book is a must-read for all those who want to understand the issues or, more important, want to help in their resolution.' -James Burke 'This book provides a breath of fresh air in the subject... with numerous examples. Further, it provides a nice link between ethical behaviour, professionalism and the law' -Karl Jones, Liverpool John Moores University 'I found this an excellent read, covering a wide range of essential social and professional issues for computer scientists. There is a good balance between ethical material and technical material, and it would be suitable for a layperson. An entertaining and thought-provoking book' -Dr. Carron Shankland of the University of Stirling
Table of Contents
Foreword xxi
Preface xxv
1 Introduction 1
Lessig’s Four Modalities Analysis 6
Prophet and Loss: Failing to Foresee the Future 7
Information System Partition 8
The Law is an Ass 10
Globalization 12
The Digital Divide 13
Servant or Master: Computers Making Decisions 15
Discussion Topics 17
Can Laws Be Immoral? 17
Genetically Modified Food, Technologically Modified Humans 17
The Haves and the Have-nots 18
Related Reading 19
2 Emergence and Convergence of Technologies 21
Introduction 21
Emergence 23
The Rise of Print Media 23
The Rise of the Telegraph and the Telephone 24
The Rise of Broadcast Media 28
The Rise of the Computing Industry 31
The Rise of the Content Industry 33
The Rise of the Internet 35
Convergence 39
Content Producers and Distributors 39
Platform Producers and Content Producers or Publishers 41
Corporate Production vs Individual Creativity 43
Market Sector Integration 44
Digitization 48
The Big Challenges Ahead 55
Discussion Topics 56
Fit for Purpose? 56
E-Tax 56
Competing with Free Beer 58
Related Reading 60
3 Digital Entertainment 61
Introduction 61
The Effects of Digital Entertainment Technology 64
Digital Entertainment—Friend or Foe? 64
The Toy Town Divide 64
Boys and Girls Come out to Play: Stereotyping 66
Health-Related Issues 69
Curse of the Couch-Potato Children 69
Physical Problems 71
Digital Equipment—Part of the Modern Family 72
Does Television Cause Adverse Social Behaviour? 74
Creating Monsters—Do Computer Games Make People Violent? 76
Do Computer Games Fuel Addiction and Gambling? 80
Power to the Player—Benefits of Computer Games 84
Harnessing the Power of the Brain 84
Education and Learning 86
The Silver Gamers 88
Game Development Grows up—the Hidden Agenda 88
Discussion Points 91
Should Computer Games Be Regulated? Rated? Censored? 91
Couch-Potato Syndrome 92
Online Gambling: Menace or Natural Progression? 93
Related Reading 95
4 Censorship and Freedom of Speech 97
Introduction 97
Reasons for Censorship 100
Censorship by States 101
Censorship of Speakers by Governments 107
Censorship of Listeners by Governments 109
Censorship by Private Actors 111
Censorship of Speakers by Private Actors 111
Censorship of Listeners by Private Actors 113
Technology for Expression 114
Technological Developments with Expressive Power 114
Censoring Internet Content 115
Client–Server and Peer-to-Peer Architectures 124
Conclusion 125
Discussion Topics 126
Yahoo! France Nazi Memorabilia 126
ISP Liability for Content 127
BT and the IWF 129
Related Reading 130
5 Sex and Technology 131
Introduction 131
The Nature of Sexual Material 132
One Man’s Art. . . 132
The Medium and the Message 133
Use of Technology to (Re)Produce Sexual Material 133
Techno-Sex 134
Anonymity: Reality and Illusion 144
Anon Servers 146
Online Sex and Real Relationships 147
The Future of Online Sex: TeleDildonics? 148
Regulating Sex in Cyberspace 149
Not in Front of the Children: Protecting Children from Sex Online 152
Restricting Access to Broadcast Media 153
Surfing to a Naked Beach 154
‘Satisfy Her in Bed’: Sex Spam to Minors 157
Online Friendships 159
Child Pornography 161
Types of Material 162
Prohibition, Harm, Possession and Distribution 166
Jurisdictional Anomalies and Conflicts 168
Discovery, Defence and Mitigation 169
Discussion Topics 171
Freedom of Speech vs Censorship of Sexual Material 171
The Toby Studabaker Case 172
Related Reading 173
6 Governance of the Internet 175
Introduction 175
The Internet Protocols 176
The Origins of the Internet 178
Early Arguments 181
The Root of All Evil 185
Commercialization 185
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers 186
ccTLDs 188
Alternative Root Servers 188
Commercialization, Ownership and Corporate Identity 189
Trade Marks 189
Trade Marks in Domain Names 191
The Uniform Dispute Resolution Process 196
The Nominet Dispute Resolution Process 198
Criticisms of Dispute Resolution 199
Do Trade Marks Matter in Domain Names or in URLs? 203
The Future of Internet Governance 204
ICANN, DoC, EU and ccTLDs 204
Wiring the World: Who Really Owns ‘The Internet’? 205
Discussion Topics 206
Should Trade Marks Be Valid in Domain Names? 206
What Governance Should ICANN Have? 207
How Many Top-Level Domains Should There Be? 208
7 Privacy and Surveillance 211
Introduction 211
Cryptography and Steganography 212
Definition of Privacy 214
Communication Technology and Eavesdropping 215
Ways to Eavesdrop 215
Identity of Eavesdropper 217
Legality of Eavesdropping 218
The Whole Is Greater than the Sum of its Parts 220
Data Protection 222
Data Protection Issues in EU Law 223
Data Protection Issues in US Regulation 227
International Movement of Data 229
Data Protection, not an Impediment to Life 230
Big Brother is Watching You: Automated CCTV Processing 231
Privacy After 9/11 234
Technological Privacy and Surveillance 235
Discussion Topics 237
Leaving Little Trace: Anonymity in the Digital World? 237
Availability of Cryptography and Steganography 238
Data Retention by ISPs 239
Related Reading 241
8 Information Age Warfare 243
Introduction 243
History of Warfare 245
The Technology of War 248
War News 249
Cyber-Wars 250
Satellites—the View from Space 253
Star Wars Technology 254
Network-centric Warfare 255
The Battlefield 258
Robo-Soldier 258
Man or Machine? 259
The Unseen Enemy 260
Mobile Phones as Weapons 261
War Games 261
Information Dominance 263
Intelligence Gathering and Surveillance 265
Discussion Topics 267
Working for Arms Manufacturers 267
Cyberterrorism: Real Threat or Virtual Bogeyman? 268
Overall Benefit or Drain on Resources? 269
9 Technology and the Human Body 273
Introduction 273
Health Information Systems 275
Treatment 276
Electronic Patient Records 276
E-booking 278
E-prescribing 279
Intranets, the Internet and Call Centres 280
Factors for Success 281
Power to the Patient 283
The Internet and CDs 284
Television Programmes 286
Digital Television 287
Self-Diagnosis Kits 288
Online Pharmacies 290
Online Body Trafficking 291
Techno-Medicine 292
Telemedicine 293
Training and Supporting Nurses and Doctors 294
Virtual Therapy 297
Robots in Hospitals 298
Smart Monitoring 301
Computer Modelling 305
Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation 308
New Medical Technologies 309
Implants for Diagnosis and Healing 310
Implants and Prosthetics for Replacement and Reconstruction 311
Digital Flesh and Cyborgs 315
Discussion Topics 318
The Longevity and Social Justice Debate 318
Suggested Positions 319
Owning the Code of Life 319
What Is a Human? 320
Related Reading 321
10 Professionalism in IT 323
Introduction 323
Conduct 327
Practice 333
Whistleblowing 334
Vulnerability of E-mail 335
‘Illegal’ espionage 337
Consequences of ‘Whistleblowing’ 337
Due Diligence 338
Personal Responsibility 340
Discussion Topics 340
Self-Incrimination 340
Responsibility for DDoS Attacks 341
Whistleblowing Insecurity 343
11 Online Crime and Real Punishment 345
Introduction 345
A Brief History of Crime and Computers 347
Computer Fraud 348
Malware 351
A Taxonomy of Malware 351
Problems Caused by Malware 352
Malware Authors: Who, How and Why? 359
Hoaxes and Life Imitating Art 362
Computer Security: Cops and Robbers, Poachers and Gamekeepers 363
Historical Roots of Cracking 364
Who are the Crackers? 366
Vulnerability, Risk and Threat 370
Closed vs Open Security 373
Walking the Tightrope: Social Pressures on Security 379
How Much Security Is Necessary? 382
Poachers and Gamekeepers 386
Laws Against Computer Misuse 387
UK Computer Misuse Act 388
US Sequence of Laws 391
Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime 393
The Growing Problem of Computer Crime 395
Discussion Topics 396
Grey Hat Cracking Should Be Legalized 396
Web Scrapers and Robot Denial Files 397
An Immune System for the Internet 399
Related Reading 400
12 Patents and Copyright 401
Introduction 401
Intellectual Property? 402
Trade mark 402
Patent 403
Copyright 404
The Philosophical Basis of Patents and Copyright 404
Patents 406
A Brief History of Patents 406
Modern Patent Systems 407
Business Methods and Software Patents 411
General Criticisms of Patents 414
Patent-Licensing Companies 417
Copyright 419
Origins and Development of Copyright 420
The Main Provisions of Modern Copyright Statutes 424
US Case Law for Copyright 428
The Current State of Play 434
The Music Industry and Higher Education 435
The Originator’s Rights 436
Software Copyright 437
Copyright and the Architecture of Cyberspace 449
Free Culture 449
Discussion Topics 450
Is Copyright the Correct Way to Reward Artists? Does It Promote Artistic Activity? 450
Lack of Legitimate Downloads Caused the Rise of Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing 452
A New Basis for Copyright Law Is Required 453
Control and the Copyright Bargain 454
Related Reading 455
13 Unwanted Electronic Attentions 457
Introduction 457
Types of Unsolicited Communication 459
Static Visual Communication 459
Audio Communication 460
Types of Communication Media 461
Public Displays 461
Broadcast Non-Interactive Media 461
Broadcast Interactive Media 462
Telephonic Services 463
Internet Services 465
The Economics of Unsolicited Contacts 470
Sender Economics 470
Junk mail 471
Cold calling 472
Receiver Economics 474
Referral Economics 477
Social, Legal and Technological Discouragement 481
Malicious Unwanted Attentions 494
Online and Telephone Fraud 495
Electronic Stalking 496
Online Grooming 499
Discussion Topics 500
Tackling Spam at the Transport Layer 500
Opt-In, Opt-Out, Shake It All About 501
Freedom of Speech or Online Stalking 502
Related Reading 503
14 Education and Online Learning 505
Introduction 505
From the Chalkboard to the Virtual Classroom 507
Technology through the Years 507
Visual Aids to Learning 508
Audio Aids to Learning 510
Audio–Visual Aids to Learning 511
Developing E-Learning Environments 513
ICT and e-Learning in Further Education Colleges in England 515
e-Portfolio 516
Videoconferencing 517
Online Encyclopedia 518
Mobile Education (PDAs and Mobile Devices) 519
Electronic Books 521
Electronic Whiteboards 521
Online Marketing 522
Electronic Application and Admission Systems 523
Digital Library 523
Second Life 524
Web 2.0 525
Developing and Embracing e-Learning Resources 526
The Learner Perspective 527
The Teacher Perspective 529
Accessibility of Education in a Wired World 533
Cheating the System 535
Bogus Degrees 538
Discussion Topics 539
One Person’s Plagiarism Is Another’s Research 539
Overseas Education vs Distance Education 540
The Net of a Million Lies 542
Related Reading 543
15 Living and Working in a Wired World 545
Introduction 545
The Digital Lifestyle 547
Work, Skills and Roles 547
Teleworking 548
The Mobile Office: the ‘Non-Office’ Office Job 551
The New Role of the Office 552
Smarter Travel 552
Smarter Homes 555
Shopping 556
Buying Entertainment 561
The Sporting Life 562
Technology and the Individual 563
Education 563
Health 563
Crime 564
Religion 564
Communication 565
The Changing Face of Communication 565
The Global Village 573
The Digital Divide 574
The Digital Divide in the Industrialized World 577
E-Government 578
The Digital Divide Between the Nations 579
Discussion Topics 580
The Language of the Digital Age 580
Digital Relationships 581
Digital Divides 581
Related Reading 582
Appendix—Ethical Analysis 583
Introduction 583
Traditional Western Moral Philosophy 584
Rationalism 584
Locke vs Hobbes 585
Hume and Human Passion 587
Kant and the Categorical Imperative 587
Legality and Morality 587
Modern Ethical Theory 589
Utilitarian Ethics 589
Relativistic vs Universal Utiliarianism 590
New Utilitarianism: Singer 591
Computer Ethics 591
Metaphysical Foundations for Computer Ethics 593
Informed Consent Theory in Information Technology 594
Ethical Decisions: Using the Back of the Envelope 594
Information Ethics: ICT Professional Responsibility in the Information Environment 595
The Good Computer Professional Does not Cheat at Cards 596
Conclusion 596
Discussion Topics 597
General: The Death Penalty 597
ICT: Artificial Sentience Rights and Wrongs 598
General: Is Religion an Excuse for Discrimination? 599
ICT: Search Ethics 600
General: Lying to Tell the Truth? 601
ICT: Gender Presentation Online 601
General: Fair Fines 602
ICT: Should Internet Access be a Human Right? 603
General: Prediction of Harm 604
ICT: Programmer Responsibility 605
Related Reading 607
Index 609
