Using the Software Engineering Code of Ethics to Assess New Technology Features

Now that you have had a chance to explore a wide array of ethical considerations that are important in our consideration of technology, your final task is to use the Software Engineering Code of Ethics to consider the current (and potential future) features and uses of your selected technology.  You will be using the Principles of the Code as your framework for your answers.  As a reminder, the following are the principles.

1. Public – Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
2. Client And Employer – Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest.
3. Product – Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.
4. Judgment – Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.
5. Management – Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.
6. Profession – Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.
7. Colleagues – Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.
8. Self – Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession.

You have been asked by your employer to introduce new features to the solution you have selected.  You know that these features will increase the surveillance capabilities of the technology, and also facilitate data sharing with third parties that should not have access to the data.  (For example, if you have focused on the health wearables, this may mean that data can be sent to employers without consent to help to modify health care offerings/premiums). (Note: You are going to need to be creative about what this feature will be and be able to explain the cost/benefit of the feature).

1. Describe the feature that you have been asked to add to your technology. What are the trade-offs at play? Clearly identify the benefits offered that are embedded in the design and the "costs" that are being either explicitly or implicitly being asked of users?
2. On the basis of the trade-offs that are being asked for, and using your ethical frame, as the software engineer, what is your degree of comfort with this technology? Why?

Define "the public interest". How does the "public interest" come into your technology and new feature.

Look at the product and feature through the lens of the 8 Principles of the Code of Ethics. Address each principle in your response.

• How does your product/feature touch on the principle? Is it at odds with the principle?
• If the feature is at odds with the principle, how could this be mitigated?

What conditions would you have around this technology to increase your degree of comfort? If the conditions could not be created, or the conflicts mitigated, what would you do? (Would you resign? Would you continue to develop the product? Would you become a whistleblower?) Justify your actions.

1. External sources (which you will need to use), must be properly formatted using either MLA or APA formatting.
2. A full reference list of the sources used in your paper must be included.