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Rita van Haren
Jennifer Hernandez
Grant St. Martin
Cody Bryant-Zygowski 
Justin Bernard
Stacie Bernasconi
Jonna Elvin
Laurel Poff
Jennifer GuerreroWin18_Phil302 Cyberethics’s Updates
Lesson 11: Privacy, Free Speech, Freedom, and Security
Module 7, Lesson 11—Privacy, Free Speech, Freedom, and Security.
In this module we are concerned with understanding how our beliefs in human rights interact with digital technologies. Recall that human rights refer to the belief that humans have certain inalienable rights that they gain simply by being human. Maintaining human rights is a very difficult challenge in the physical world and the online world adds even more complexity to the problem. To further complicate things, digital technologies operate mostly on line and therefore internationally. There is not widespread agreement on all human rights which means that if you release an app, webpage, program into the world, one country may find it useful while others may find it a gross violation of human rights.
The Right to be Forgotten
Here is a case in point. French law recognizes “the right of oblivion,” which gives the right to those convicted of a crime and whom serve their sentence and become rehabilitated to have the right to restrict the publication of the details of their earlier conviction and incarceration. This is to allow them to reenter society and function without the stigma of their past haunting them. Similar laws are encountered across Europe but they are not found in the US. This has led to some problems involving Wikipedia, one example being a law suit leveled on Wikipedia by two former murderers to remove information that named them as the killers of a popular actor from that actors Wikipedia page. Do you have the right to have your past misdeeds forgotten? How far does this right extend? To criminal convictions or civil suits, ex love affairs or pictures you posted to the web but now regret? Let’s get up to speed on this by listing to this lecture by the Oxford philosopher Lucian Floridi who has worked with Google to help make sense of recent rulings on this right coming out of the European Union.
Rights and Computer Ethics
We are now going to read this article:
J. P. Sullins, 2010: “Rights and Computer Ethics,” in The Cambridge Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Luciano Floridi (ed) 2010.
From this article, pay particular attention to the fact that rights like free speech and privacy can conflict in ways that do not allow for a solution where both rights can be honored at the same time. It is often the case that one has to give way for the other to be expressed. Making these hard choices can only be accomplished by appealing to the various ethical theories we have studied in this class so far.
Freedom vs. Security
One of the most vexing problems of our time is the difficulty in granting rights to personal freedom while also guaranteeing collective security. The more you have of one, the less you can have of the other, regardless of that we want both at the same time.
To frame our thoughts on this problem, let’s look at the work of Yochai Benkler who argues that in some cases we have given up freedoms without even getting increased security in return. Please read this article.
In the last section of this lesson we will think about what the War on Terror has done to civil liberties in the United States and how we might recover from where history has taken us to. Please read this article: Liberty’s lost decade.
Assignment 17, Writing reflection (200-400 words), posted to the comments section below—While we have read some terrifying accounts of the use of technology to curtail liberties, we should also remember that digital technologies have a great capacity for advancing liberty and freedom of speech. Think of an example from your own life, career, or from the news that illustrates this. What is your considered opinion on the balance of freedom of speech and security?
Assignment 17:
In my personal life, I try to limit my use of social media. When I do use it, I am typically visiting Facebook or Twitter. These two sites allow people to post mainly whatever they want and have the ability to comment whatever they want. There are some regulations for content approval, but for the most part, you can pretty much say whatever you want. People can report your content for removal but until someone does, it will usually stay up on the site. Freedom of speech can go a long way. President Trump, although we cannot say for sure if it is him posting, says very offensive and out there comments via Twitter. We see the same thing on Facebook. People will argue over the current political state. Although they have the right to say what they want, it can be dangerous. Trump can say and do a lot of stupid things online to be funny, but in the end, it will do more harm to the country than good. A President of any country should not be saying comments like he does. It makes the whole country look bad, not just him. Other difficulties include people posting content blindly behind a screen thinking no one can do anything. I had a friend posting all the pictures of her at parties and behaving inappropriately. She did not think anyone important could see them. She ended up being fired from her job because of some of the pictures. The firm did not want someone like her representing the company.
ASSIGNMENT 17
I think that this topic has brought some very controversial opinions in regards to it. New advances in technology have greatly advanced liberty and freedom of speech. In my everyday life I see social media platforms used for people all around the world to speak their minds. With all of the crazy things that have been going on in the world lately, I believe that these platforms are a great place for people to come together and find others that have the same beliefs that they do. An example of this is when the most recent presidential election was happening. This was a huge time for people to use these media platforms to practice their freedom of speech. Every day I would see people voicing their agreements and disagreements with what was going on with the election. I think that the controversy comes when people start being disrespectful to other people’s opinions. No one is going to perfectly agree with everyone else’s opinion, which can create feuds over social media. I believe that freedom is a right that everyone should have, but I do think that there should be some regulations so that social media platforms do not become a war zone for opposing opinions.
Assignment 17
Technology has made life easy and fun, however, it also has it's accompanying responsibilities.
One of the examples that can illustrate technology's capacity for advancing liberty and freedom of speech is Facebook. Facebook has been the open space to really express one's deepest thoughts 'out loud' in a way. From politics to circumcision - freedom of speech is welcomed and unwelcomed on Facebook.
A specific example that I can think of is one of my friends. She is very open about her life and thoughts. Facebook has given her the freedom to really share her thoughts out loud to her Facebook friends. She strongly opposes male circumcision and voices her opinions strongly on Facebook. She will write paragraphs, share articles, post videos, anything to convince others that male circumcision is wrong and unethical. Facebook has given my friend freedom to voice these issues that are so dear to her heart, that she wouldn't have been able to before. It's different to talk about male circumcision in a group of friends, but on Facebook, she has the liberty to do so with the protection of being behind a screen, but people still knowing it's her.
I think freedom of speech and security have to be both equally important to work. We like our privacy, but sometimes, people have some of the darkest secrets that need to be exposed.
I think that privacy can be dangerous when it is used to hurt others. For example, when people are plotting to kill others. They would like to keep it a secret and conceal their privacy, but it can be dangerous to the ones around them.
Assignment #17
Within the new age of technology and digital advances there has been both positive and negatives. There is a greater capacity for advancing liberty and freedom of speech but at the same time there has been countless incidences where the liberty and freedom of speech has been restricted. One example that I can think back on is from middle school, students were granted the permission to use computers in the labs and classrooms; however, there were certain websites that were blocked for student access. These include most social media cites including YouTube. I felt that the school was trying to promote students liberty by allowing them access to the Internet but also took that liberty and freedom away when we were not allowed access on certain websites. In addition I believe that the Internet, especially social media cites really allow anyone the liberty and freedom of speech. People are pretty much allowed to post whatever they want on social media cites, some things get taken down due to people reporting the content but I feel that a majority of the time the posts stay up. Because people are able to hide behind a computer screen, or whatever technological device, I think they feel more liberated to say how they feel about a certain subject, such as politics and other controversial subjects, because there are so many other individuals out there who feel the same way. Or there are individuals who feel different and will post their opposing viewpoints as well. I think it is great that people are granted the Internet and social media cites because it allows for such a connected world; however, there is also a negative side to it and there could be a better balance of security and freedom of speech.
Assignment 17: Technology is a great way of getting information to a large amount of people in a little amount of time. This is great for when you are trying to contact someone or if there is an emergency and for overall getting information from one person to another. I think the use of twitter in the political world should be banned. We have seen with many celebrities and people we look up to are fighting with each other through twitter where everyone who has the app can see it. Donald Trump, our president is the best example for why using technology is hurting us more than gaining us. President Trump has made countless tweets that should never been posted in the first place. As a country it makes us look bad and unprofessional on his part. Everyone has the right to freedom of speech yet, if you are my president I don't want threats being made to our enemy country or about the immigrants in our country through twitter. Freedom of speech is a right we all have but there should be some regulations to it because of the harm it could cause. twitter is a place for people to tell their opinions uncensored but maybe not for our president.
Assignment #17
Technology has given us some wonderful access to the world, larger than some of us could ever have imagines. But with this access to the world also comes threats and security issues that the government needs oversight on. I believe we should be protected on the internet and that people who are doing illegal actions, such as planning threats against the united states should be regulated. But I do not think that everybody should be watched and every move they make on the internet should be watched, that is a very scary thought. I can think of one example that I learned about in another class at Sonoma State University relating to freedom of speech and employer reactions on the internet. The case was about a woman who was venting on Facebook about her employer because they had to pay additional taxes because her employer did not taking out enough withholding from her pay. The employer then fired the employees who were involved in the situation (including those who simply liked the comment). The court ruled in favor of the employees because they are entitled to freedom of speech, even online. I think as a result of speech and security, as long as comments do not cause harm or are not defamatory to another individual, employees should be allowed to discuss their dissatisfaction with their employers without any repercussions as long as it is on the employees own time, the employee should not have a right to limit freedom of speech. And an employee should not have to feel worried about losing their job for what they post on their social media accounts (or keep their accounts private).
Here is a link to the summary of the case: https://www.employerlawreport.com/2015/10/articles/labor-relations/second-circuit-upholds-nlrb-finding-that-triple-play-sports-grille-unlawfully-terminated-employees-for-facebook-postings/
Assignment 17:
I think that this has been a battle for many years now. I think it was especially difficult when social media because such a big part of people’s lives. The age of the people on social media also changed quite a bit so that made it more difficult as well. when on social media you don’t notice, the older generation talking about people, companies, politicians poorly and with disrespect, it is more of a younger generation thing. The older generation understands that once you put something on the internet you are not going to get it back. They also understand that lots of people look at social media sites such as their boss, friend, or part of a company at all. People in a younger generation seem to be under the impression that you can simply delete something and it’s like it never happened. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, with technology the way it is and how easily everything is accessed there is no way to delete something forever with the push of a button. I believe that as technology advances our freedom of speech increases as well, I see this as a good and bad thing because of people being able to say whatever they please without thinking about it a little more. Although things are not able to be deleted now forever I think that they should be. I don’t see how something should be haunting you forever. I believe in the thought of a second chance for people and that one mistake shouldn’t stay with you forever. When we talk about people who have committed a crime I think that the swiping off the record deal should be available to some depending on the crime. I think it’s important to get people back into a normal life and with a job and steady home life or they are more likely to go down a path that will lead them to further trouble. I believe in this only once. If they are not smart enough to stay out of trouble and be appreciative of the fresh start then I do not think they deserve it again.
Assignment 17:
Technological advancements have allowed individuals the ability to express their freedom of speech. Which the launch of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, there has been an increase in people exercising their right to speak freely. These platforms have given a voice to those who wouldn’t normally speak out, and has given others a louder voice. It’s common to see individuals utilize social media to express their feelings about politics, government, and their personal life. This has been seen with President Trump, as he has been known to voice his opinion on social media. While he is the president, he has been known to speak freely on social media, which has created some debate. This is due to the fact that, he should be politically correct at all times. In other words, his voice should be censored. While social media allows individuals to exercise freedom of speech, many people still feel as though those voices should be censored. This is apparent when influential people take to social media. I feel as though many people abuse their right to speak freely on social media, and forget to be courteous of others. Social media has such a large audience, that whatever you say can become viral in a matter of minutes. With this being said, individuals should maintain a level of caution when posting on social media.
Assignment 17
One of the biggest benefits of technology and more specifically, the internet, is that when it comes to things like freedom of speech, distance and time to exercise that freedom have essentially become non-factors. It used to be that if you wanted to communicate a concern to a political representative, you had to mail them a letter, and if they were to respond, they would have to mail one back. Now, communication worldwide is instantaneous. Email, instant messaging and social media have made it possible for anyone to have their voice heard, not just privately but also publicly with the potential audience being the entire world. The scope and potential effectiveness of that freedom has increased dramatically.
Unfortunately, this technology which has provided so many benefits to good people, can also be used by those intending to cause harm, and this is part of the reason we have a debate on freedom vs security. People like Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden may very well have the best intentions for releasing the information that they did, and I don’t believe many would disagree that what they revealed was unethical and needed to change, however, at the same time, it’s possible that what they revealed and how they revealed it could have resulted in more harm than good.
What I think is the sad reality about freedom vs privacy is that there really is no perfect solution. Whistleblowers shouldn’t have to become whistleblowers in the first place. Those who observe unethical practices should be able to report to a superior and trust that they will make the necessary changes, but, if they don’t change (perhaps because they are directly responsible for those practices in the first place), then there is nowhere else to go – they are forced to take drastic measures, and a whistleblower is born. The best we can do is hope for is that the information to be leaked is done so in as responsible as considerate a manner as possible to avoid unnecessary collateral damage.
Although technology may be seen as a way to disrupt liberties and limit freedom of speech, there are many more technological platforms which infinitely promote and inflate freedom of speech in our world today. One very simple and easy example of this is social media platforms. Social media allows for people to speak up on what they believe in through either directly voicing their opinions, creating online groups and/or communities, hosting chat forums on certain topics, and posting photos of things they believe in or activities they have engaged in. Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allows for each and every user to have their own voice and their own place in the digital world, despite his/her background. It is because of twitter that I know about certain world events that I otherwise would never have heard of through conventional news sources. On the other hand, social media has been known to disrupt one's career in a negative fashion. What you have ever said through social media posts can be archived and accessed at any time from anyone. We would think that this would not entail any negative repercussions, but unfortunately a lot of what one had said 5 years ago does not apply nor does it necessarily properly reflect who that person is and what their character is like today. For example, my 6th grade MySpace is not, in any way, a proper reflection of the 20-year-old version of me today. My side-bang, duck-face selfies from elementary/middle school have absolutely zero correlation to my professional life 9 years later as an adult. Regrettably, what we put on the internet will always remain, whether it be to haunt us or encourage us. The downside to this is that future employers may be able to pinpoint old social media posts and accounts from years before – which have the potential to put one out of a job. In my opinion, the balance of freedom of speech and security definitely depends on what is being spoken upon. It is necessary and viable to exercise one's first amendment rights, but one must also take into account of what is being said and if what they are saying is/will be a good reflection of their character. What you put on the internet will be there forever.