Who is to Blame for Data Pollution? on Individual Moral Responsibility With Information Technology

Abstract

Examines three moments in the information technology process — data acquisition, processing, and dissemination — and considers the problems of assigning individual moral responsibility for data pollution or distortion as it might arise under each situation. Argues that a “paradox of information technology,” in which more information leads to less control, undermines the application of abstract ethical principles and forces a turn to casuistic morality. Applying, for instance, from medical ethics, the regional principle of informed consent reveals the need to place serious limitations on the development of information technology.