The following 20 real-world computing incidents that present significant ethical dilemmas.

Each
case can spark discussion around professional responsibility, privacy, fairness, and the potential
social impact of technology.

You are required to evaluate each case and provide your insights considering its professional
responsibility, privacy, fairness, and the potential social impact of technology.

1. Cambridge Analytica and Facebook Data Scandal

• Dilemma: The use of personal data from millions of Facebook users without their consent
to influence political campaigns.
• Ethical Question: Is it ethical to use data for purposes users are unaware of?

2. AI Bias in Hiring Algorithms

• Dilemma: AI algorithms used in hiring by companies like Amazon were found to be

biased against women.
• Ethical Question: How do we ensure fairness in AI decision-making?

3. Apple vs. FBI Encryption Dispute

• Dilemma: The FBI requested Apple to unlock an iPhone used by a terrorist, but Apple
refused due to user privacy concerns.
• Ethical Question: Should privacy or national security take precedence?

4. Self-Driving Car Fatalities (Uber/Waymo)

• Dilemma: Autonomous vehicles have been involved in fatal accidents during testing.
• Ethical Question: Who is responsible for decisions made by AI in life-or-death
situations?

5. Google’s Project Maven

• Dilemma: Google worked with the Pentagon on AI to analyze drone footage, leading to
internal protests over ethical concerns.
• Ethical Question: Should tech companies be involved in military applications of AI?

6. Facial Recognition and Privacy Violations (Clearview AI)

• Dilemma: Clearview AI scraped billions of images from the internet to develop facial
recognition tools for law enforcement.
• Ethical Question: Is it ethical to use public images without consent for surveillance?

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7. The Right to Be Forgotten (Google vs. EU)

• Dilemma: The EU Court of Justice ruled that individuals have the right to request
removal of personal data from search engines.
• Ethical Question: Should people have control over erasing their digital footprints?

8. Social Media Misinformation (COVID-19, Elections)

• Dilemma: The spread of misinformation about COVID-19 and elections on platforms like
Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
• Ethical Question: Should social media companies be held accountable for the spread of
misinformation?

9. Tesla Autopilot Crashes

• Dilemma: Tesla’s autopilot system has been involved in crashes, raising questions about
safety and human reliance on AI.
• Ethical Question: How do we balance the risks and benefits of semi-autonomous
technology?

10. Big Data and Predictive Policing (COMPAS)

• Dilemma: Predictive policing algorithms, such as COMPAS, were found to

disproportionately target minority communities.
• Ethical Question: How do we prevent discrimination in data-driven policing?

11. Google Street View Data Collection

• Dilemma: Google’s Street View cars accidentally collected private data from Wi-Fi
networks while mapping cities.
• Ethical Question: How should companies handle accidental data collection?

12. Therac-25 Radiation Machine Incident

• Dilemma: A software error in the Therac-25 radiation machine led to fatal overdoses of
radiation.
• Ethical Question: What responsibility do software engineers have for ensuring the safety
of critical systems?

13. TikTok and Data Privacy Concerns

• Dilemma: Concerns over TikTok’s collection and storage of user data by its parent
company in China.
• Ethical Question: How should companies handle user data when national security is at
stake?

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14. Amazon Ring and Police Partnerships

• Dilemma: Amazon Ring shared footage from home security cameras with law
enforcement, raising privacy concerns.
• Ethical Question: Should private companies cooperate with law enforcement without user
consent?

15. Facebook Algorithm and Hate Speech Amplification

• Dilemma: Facebook’s algorithms have been criticized for amplifying hate speech and
polarizing content for engagement.
• Ethical Question: Should platforms prioritize engagement over ethical responsibility?

16. Software Piracy in Developing Countries

• Dilemma: Widespread use of pirated software in developing countries due to high costs
of legal versions.
• Ethical Question: Is it ethical to enforce strict copyright laws when access is limited by
cost?

17. Amazon Mechanical Turk and Worker Exploitation

• Dilemma: Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform offers micro-tasks for minimal pay,
raising concerns about labor exploitation.
• Ethical Question: Should tech platforms ensure fair pay for gig workers?

18. Deepfake Technology

• Dilemma: Deepfakes are increasingly being used for unethical purposes, such as fake
news or revenge porn.
• Ethical Question: How should society regulate technology that can be easily abused?

19. Theranos Blood Testing Fraud

• Dilemma: Theranos misrepresented its technology and put patients' health at risk.
• Ethical Question: What are the ethical obligations of tech companies in the healthcare
space?

20. Data Breaches and Security (Equifax, Marriott)

• Dilemma: Major companies like Equifax and Marriott have suffered data breaches
exposing millions of users’ personal information.
• Ethical Question: What level of responsibility do companies have in protecting user data,
and what should the consequences be for failure?