Introduction
Media technology ethics aims to ensure that media technologies may or may not harm the user. Media technologies should be used positively, without any violation. It is essential to understand the concept of media technology ethics and its applications because this will help one decide whether they can use social media applications as an outlet for communication or information sharing. This essay will not attempt to attack any platform for its misuse and abuse by its members but rather discuss the ethics involved in their workings and what should be done to protect users’ privacy.
Critical Analysis
Trottier’s article (2012) focuses on the idea that social media applications are inherently unethical and lack privacy by design. The author argues that these programs collect large amounts of personal information about users, which can be used to manipulate them and their behavior. This manipulation can lead to a loss of identity and privacy (Trottier, 2012).
Brey (2009) addresses this issue from the perspective of cultural relativity. The author states that there are different values associated with information ethics depending on where one lives (Brey, 2009). These values make it difficult for individuals to have an ethical understanding of how information is collected and used by others in their community.
Companies use the information to gain an edge over competitors. This action is done by collecting data on users’ behaviors, habits, and preferences to create customized marketing packages for each individual (Brey, 2009). Social media apps like Facebook violate individuals’ rights by using their personal information without their consent or knowledge (Kapczynski, 2020).
The author cites examples such as Facebook posting users’ pictures on Instagram Stories minutes after they have been taken while they are in public places. Social media platforms constantly monitor users’ posts and comments, even if they do not participate in conversations directly (Kapczynski, 2020). This monitoring can be done through automated software that reads users’ posts and automatically tags them with keywords based on predetermined criteria such as location.
Application of the Arguments
Information ethics is not just a matter of cultural norms and practices but a matter of socialization. Brey (2009) argues that many factors affect how people behave regarding privacy and data collection, including political and economic considerations. For example, in times of war or economic depression, governments will want more information on their citizens to better monitor them for possible dissent against the government or other threats (Brey, 2009). Another factor that affects how people behave concerning privacy and data collection is economics.
The issue of data mining and information privacy is known to be culturally relative. There is a difference between how cultures view privacy and how people in one culture view privacy. For example, in one culture, a person’s privacy is essential to their identity and worth protecting (Brey, 2009). In another culture, however, it is not as important, and any actions that violate another person’s privacy may be seen as problematic in one culture but not another. Data mining is culturally relative because it depends on who owns the data and how they use it.
Conclusion
There is a strong need for social media users to protect themselves when using these applications. They must look at the privacy settings and ensure that they are activated and followed. In addition, users must promote ethical behavior through social media applications. This goal can be accomplished by identifying organizations with clear privacy guidelines on their social media platform. These companies will have to put measures in place to prevent privacy violations.
References
Brey, P. (2009). Is Information ethics culturally relative? Social Implications of Data Mining and Information Privacy: Interdisciplinary Frameworks and Solutions (pp. 1-14). IGI Global.
Kapczynski, A. (2020). The law of informational capitalism. Yale Law Journal, 129(5), 1460-1515. Web.
Trottier, D. (2012). Interpersonal surveillance on social media. Canadian Journal of Communication, 37(2), 319-332. Web.