Edward Snowden is a well-known name recognized by masses, he is most notable for exposing government surveillance operations. A myriad of these programs were run by the NSA (National Security Agency) and were kept classified, so it led to him being charged with a serious offense. The Edward Snowden case can be perceived as quite controversial, stirring up an influx of opinions. The most debated is whether he is a traitor or a hero. In all of this, technology plays a major role. Information Technology can be perceived as a catalyst for many ethical issues, especially in the case previously stated. It has its relative merits, and its connection to ethical issues has to do with how technology is being used. Technology is very versatile and can
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In the program Prism, sites like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo were being used to track online communication, for example in people’s emails. This case is IT related because the NSA was using their programs to monitor people, and gather personal information. They used technology to spy on people. Programs such as Prism were used to track people and identify any ongoing suspicious activities. So they were used as tools to monitor potential terrorists, the NSA claims these programs were used for security measures. This brings up an ethical issue because eavesdropping on millions of people can be seen as a violation of privacy. Rights such as privacy are alluded in the U.S. Constitution under the 4th Amendment, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures”. Can these programs be seen as an unreasonable search? It is clear that the NSA went against that right, but it is controversial whether it was for the greater good. In the case of Edward Snowden, he violated laws and participated in larceny because those files didn’t belong to him. He had three charges, two falling under the Espionage act of …show more content…
He felt he had a moral obligation to tell society what he and others working for the NSA were doing. This exchange of information has been ongoing since after the event of 9/11. His intention was to alert the public of his knowledge since he believed the NSA was taking it too far. In doing this, he acknowledged the consequences and new there would be serious repercussions. What he did can be related to the Kantian Theory, because he isn’t acting in his own interest, but for societies. An impact of Snowden's actions are, that now more people know that what they do or say on technology is private. This engenders them to possibly be wearier. While Snowden is doing this for the people, he did have an obligation to the government and was sworn to secrecy. He is challenging the government which is very risky. The government is very powerful and can ruin or even end his life. Although Edward Snowden is doing this for the people, he did have an obligation to the government and was sworn to secrecy. An ethical issue, which was previously discussed. He is challenging the NSA which is run by the government, and that is risky. Since the government is very powerful and can ruin or even end his
In the program Prism, sites like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo were being used to track online communication, for example in people’s emails. This case is IT related because the NSA was using their programs to monitor people, and gather personal information. They used technology to spy on people. Programs such as Prism were used to track people and identify any ongoing suspicious activities. So they were used as tools to monitor potential terrorists, the NSA claims these programs were used for security measures. This brings up an ethical issue because eavesdropping on millions of people can be seen as a violation of privacy. Rights such as privacy are alluded in the U.S. Constitution under the 4th Amendment, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures”. Can these programs be seen as an unreasonable search? It is clear that the NSA went against that right, but it is controversial whether it was for the greater good. In the case of Edward Snowden, he violated laws and participated in larceny because those files didn’t belong to him. He had three charges, two falling under the Espionage act of …show more content…
He felt he had a moral obligation to tell society what he and others working for the NSA were doing. This exchange of information has been ongoing since after the event of 9/11. His intention was to alert the public of his knowledge since he believed the NSA was taking it too far. In doing this, he acknowledged the consequences and new there would be serious repercussions. What he did can be related to the Kantian Theory, because he isn’t acting in his own interest, but for societies. An impact of Snowden's actions are, that now more people know that what they do or say on technology is private. This engenders them to possibly be wearier. While Snowden is doing this for the people, he did have an obligation to the government and was sworn to secrecy. He is challenging the government which is very risky. The government is very powerful and can ruin or even end his life. Although Edward Snowden is doing this for the people, he did have an obligation to the government and was sworn to secrecy. An ethical issue, which was previously discussed. He is challenging the NSA which is run by the government, and that is risky. Since the government is very powerful and can ruin or even end his