PANEL 10 PRIVACY AND ACCURACY ISSUES FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN THE 1990s AND BEYOND

Abstract

As the power and interconnectivity of technology advances, ethics increasingly becomes a thorn wedged in the side of information systems. The dilemma between protecting individual rights and promoting the "common good" (societal or commercial) applies to our field, perhaps more than others, as it is the technology under our purview that makes collection and dissemination of personal data so easy. Computer networks enable the flow of vast amounts of data among corporate and governmental entities, both domestically and across borders. Decisions from credit approval, to hiring, to criminal justice, to simply the impression one makes on others may be based in part or entirely on computerized files. Such decision making often is sensible, practical and responsible; yet cases of errors and abuse exist. Few agree upon how to safeguard data accuracy and an individual's right to privacy in a cost-effective manner, much less to which degree such concern is even warmnted. Both corporate and national cultures contribute to protection policies. Show more