Nivedita's Blog

 26th July 2025

Task -1   

• Ethical issue in the use of ICT    

Ethical issues in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) span a wide range of concerns, including data privacy, intellectual property rights, access rights, and the potential for misuse of information. These issues arise from the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing reliance on digital systems, requiring careful consideration of both individual and societal impacts.    

• What are different types of ethical issues ?

Ethical issues encompass a wide range of situations where decisions must be made based on moral principles and values. Common types include discrimination and harassment, unethical accounting practices, data privacy concerns, and conflicts of interest. These issues can arise in various settings, including the workplace, personal relationships, and broader societal contexts.

1. Workplace Ethics:

• Discrimination and Harassment:
  Treating employees unfairly based on factors like race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, or creating a hostile work environment through unwelcome or offensive behavior. 

• Unethical Accounting Practices:
  Fraudulent financial reporting, misrepresenting financial data, or engaging in insider trading. 

• Abuse of Leadership:
  Using a position of power to exploit or manipulate others, or creating a toxic work environment through bullying or intimidation. 

• Conflicts of Interest:
  When an individual's personal interests clash with their professional responsibilities, potentially leading to biased decisions or actions. 

• Data Privacy:
  Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, especially in the context of digital technologies. 

• Employee Theft:
  Stealing from the company, whether it's physical items, intellectual property, or company time. 

• Social Media Ethics:
  Using social media responsibly, avoiding harassment, and maintaining professional boundaries. 

• Nepotism:
  Favoring relatives or close friends for promotions or job opportunities, regardless of their qualifications. 

2. General Ethical Issues:

• Truth vs. Loyalty:
  Deciding between being honest and maintaining loyalty to a person or group. 

• Short-term vs. Long-term:
  Weighing the benefits of immediate gratification against the potential consequences of actions over time. 

• Individual vs. Community:
  Balancing individual needs and desires with the well-being of the larger community. 

• Justice vs. Mercy:
  Deciding between upholding the law or showing compassion and understanding. 

3. Ethical Dilemmas:

• Deceptive Advertising: Making false or misleading claims about products or services. 

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• Unrealistic Goals: Setting unattainable targets that pressure employees to cut corners or compromise ethical standards. 

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• Toxic Workplace Culture: Creating a hostile environment characterized by bullying, disrespect, or lack of support. 

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4. Broader Societal Issues:

• Public Health:
  Ethical considerations related to disease prevention, healthcare access, and resource allocation. 

• Environmental Ethics:
  Issues related to pollution, resource depletion, and the impact of human activity on the planet. 

• Research Ethics:
  Ensuring integrity, honesty, and respect for participants in research studies. 

SONY.SAMBANDH.COM CASE STUDY

India saw its first cybercrime conviction in 2013. It all began after a complaint was filed by Sony India Private Ltd, which runs a website called www.sony-sambandh.com, targeting Non-Resident Indians. The website enables NRIs to send Sony products to their friends and relatives in India after they pay for it online.

The company undertakes to deliver the products to the concerned recipients. In May 2002, according to the cybercrime case study, someone logged onto the website under the identity of Barbara Campa and ordered a Sony Colour Television set and a cordless headphone. She gave her credit card number for payment and requested the products to be delivered to Arif Azim in Noida. The payment was duly cleared by the credit card agency, and the transaction was processed. After following the relevant procedures of due diligence and checking, the company delivered the items to Arif Azim.

At the time of delivery, the company took digital photographs showing the delivery being accepted by Arif Azim. The transaction closed at that, but after one and a half months the credit card agency informed the company that this was an unauthorized transaction as the real owner had denied having made the purchase.

The company lodged a complaint about online cheating at the Central Bureau of Investigation which registered a case under Section 418, 419 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code. The matter was investigated, and Arif Azim was arrested. Investigations revealed that Arif Azim while working at a call centre in Noida gained access to the credit card number of an American national which he misused on the company's site.

The CBI recovered the colour television and the cordless headphone, in this one of a kind cyber fraud case. In this matter, the CBI had evidence to prove their case, and so the accused admitted his guilt. The court convicted Arif Azim under Section 418, 419 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code - this being the first time that cybercrime has been convicted.

The court, however, felt that as the accused was a young boy of 24 years and a first-time convict, a lenient view needed to be taken. The court, therefore, released the accused on probation for one year. The judgment is of immense significance for the entire nation. Besides being the first conviction in a cybercrime matter, it has shown that the Indian Penal Code can be effectively applied to certain categories of cyber crimes which are not covered under the Information Technology Act 2000. Secondly, a judgment of this sort sends out a clear message to all that the law cannot be taken for a ride