Scrapbook 8 - CST 373

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/15/instagram-criticised-gives-russian-censorship-demands/

Summary:
Instagram recently complied with a request by the Russian government to remove a video posted on their platform. The video posted online by an activist group purportedly showed a Russian oligarch meeting with a high-ranking member of the Russian government in a discussion on US relations. A Russian court ruled that it was a violation of the individuals involved right to privacy and as such asked instagram to take it off of their platform. Instagram complied stating that they attempt to follow any local laws or rulings regarding regulation in general.

The reason this article was chosen:
This article was chosen as it showcases how national governments may be able to still censor and regulate content they wish to restrict even in the era of the greatest flow of information ever  achieved. While the internet opens up the tool for opposition and anti-corruption activists to network and agitate online, major internet-based companies complying with censorship demands may stifle the ability of these groups to utilize the internet to project their ideas and opinions.

Credibility of sources:
The Telegraph is a well known UK-based news publication.

Ethical implications:
As the internet opens up more and more opportunities to connect people and spread differing views and opinions globally, will the censorship imposed by state actors stifle any changes for the better? Should internet-based companies attempt to oppose nations who demand censorship in pursuit of the ideal of freedom of speech, or comply and practically silence dissenters?

Scrapbook 7 - CST 373

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-07-11/china-may-be-raising-the-great-firewall-too-high

Summary:
While China is known for restricting its citizens’ access to certain information and opinions, it has historically turned a blind-eye to the use of VPNs to bypass their famous “great firewall”. In the past, this ignoring of Chinese people bypassing their restrictions was justified by the thought that only affluent and productive individuals would need use of the VPNs in order to access scientific information, news, or other knowledge inaccessible through the country’s internet infrastructure. However, China has recently decided that they will be shutting down VPNs across the country, thereby destroying one of the most popular ways to bypass the screen of state censorship.

The reason this article was chosen:
While China did blockade most of its users from utilizing much of the world-wide web, there were ways to work around the shutdown and access outside information that was not state-sanctioned.

Credibility of sources:
Bloomberg is a well known and respected media outlet regarding finances, news, and technology.

Ethical implications:
This increase in the amount of censorship that will be established over China will greatly affect the amount of information and opinion available to its people. While the middle and upper classes used to be able to access necessary information through bypassing the “great firewall”, now Chinese citizens may be even more cut-off from the rest of the world and unable to learn or broadcast dissident thought and feelings.

Scrapbook 6 - CST 373

/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-netflix-dragon-box-piracy-20180111-story.html

Summary:
Netflix and Amazon have joined a few major Hollywood studios in a lawsuit against the media streaming product Dragon Box. Dragon Box utilizes Kodi software which allows for third-party add-ons that provide easy access to free, pirated materials. While the Kodi software and Dragon Box itself are not illegal, they are accused in the lawsuit of facilitating piracy by making access to pirated material very easy for their clients. The argument is mainly based around the fact that Dragon Box was advertised as a product that would allow for users to leave subscription services such a Netflix and Hulu. Dragon Box officials have responded by saying that they can not be held responsible as the software is simply accessing readily available content online.

The reason this article was chosen:
This article was chosen as it pertains to our discussion this week on issues of copying another's work, as well as highlights the issues with the negative, albeit not direct, consequences creating certain programs can have.

Credibility of sources:
The Los Angeles Times is a long standing and well-respected news source.

Ethical implications:
Dragon Box, and other streaming services that utilize Kodi software, allow people to easily access content available online that may be pirated from its original source. Is the enabling of copyright infringement through the use of one’s product just as unethical as performing the copyright infringement oneself? Or should the fact that the pirated material is simply easily accessible to the Dragon Box’s algorithm make the unauthorized streaming of shows an unfortunate side effect of the reach of the internet?

Scrapbook 5 - CST 373

https://gizmodo.com/did-design-really-cause-hawaiis-ballistic-missile-threa-1822417863

Summary:
The recent mishap of a false incoming missile strike warning being sent to all cell phones in the state of Hawaii may have been due in part to the fault of the designer, some argue. While it was a user error that caused the accidental broadcasting of the horrifying message of an imminent attack, some argue that the recently released example of the user interface utilized shows that user error was only partially to blame, as the design was severely lacking. Designers have weighed in online stating that the bare-bones design was confusing and unclear as to what would trigger a test broadcast and what would actually broadcast the warning message, thus placing some of the blame for the incident on the initial designer and their work.

The reason this article was chosen:
This article was chosen as this week we looked into the responsibility of the programmer when working and designing products. Since we primarily focused on the ethical implications of the a designers responsibility, this article highlights a real world example in which the designer’s lack of foresight and user experience may have caused a state-wide panic.

Credibility of sources:
Gizmodo is a widely circulated and well known technology blog.

Ethical implications:
When is it okay to shrug off the blame of even obviously user-induced errors onto the design of a program. If the design is needlessly complicated for the average user, is it really the user’s fault for failing or should the designer take some of, if not all of the blame?

Scrapbook 4 -CST 373

U.S. Financial Crime Fighters Eye Overseas Virtual Currency Platforms

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-senate-moneylaundering/u-s-financial-crime-fighters-eye-overseas-virtual-currency-platforms-official-idUSKBN1F62NM

Summary:
The US has announced recently that it will begin seriously investigating virtual currency platforms, even if they are located in foreign countries. The Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which has already been combating money laundering utilizing cryptocurrency, will now spread its net much farther in the hopes of curbing many of the illegal activities which are being funded by cryptocurrencies. Already the Treasury has taken action against one of the largest Bitcoin platforms online, BTC-e exchange, which is located overseas. As American federal authorities begin cracking down on cryptocurrencies, other nations look to also regulate this wild online movement.

The reason this article was chosen:
This article was chosen as the current fluctuations in the cryptocurrency market has spread light on this relatively new system of payment. With some of its more appealing aspects, such as anonymity during transactions, its ability to be used for malicious purposes has been well established. The question arises if and should governments begin taking action to combat the illegal activities that are being funded through the use of cryptocurrencies, and in this particular case, should said governments be able to prosecute people and companies abroad using the system? As we discussed earlier in our text this week, the lines between the virtual and real world begin to blur as even some of our most basic institutions, such as currencies, become completely virtual.

Credibility of sources:
Reuters is a well-known and long standing news organization of good repute.

Ethical implications:
As cryptocurrencies become more and more relevant to the world, will these budding ways to deal transactions become more normalized or will its use by darker elements result in government crackdowns on its use? With its ability to be used anonymously and its track record of use in illegal transactions should governments step in and attempt to stem this growing movement, and if yes, can they?

Scrapbook 3 - CST 373

https://globalvoices.org/2017/12/29/from-internet-blackouts-to-violent-attacks-south-asia-saw-new-threats-to-free-expression-online-in-2017/

From Internet Blackouts to Violent Attacks, South Asia Saw New Threats to Free Expression Online in 2017

Summary:
This article covers ways in which South Asian regimes have been cracking down on internet usage when it threatens their positions From such things as censoring media, to threatening journalists and bloggers, these states have been attacking freedom of expression for many individuals for going against the grain. India and Pakistan have been known to even cause full internet blackouts as well as partial ones, where mobile service is disconnected, in order to cut off people from communicating in troubled regions. This stops any ability for would-be demonstrators to communicate, either amongst themselves for organizational purposes or to the outside world to broadcast their conditions. While there is some hope in the future as civil rights groups combat these actions, it is possible to see more of these kinds of actions in the coming years.
The reason this article was chosen:
This article was chosen as this week we read and discussed the benefits of anonymity on the internet in making a positive difference in the world. Stating controversial statements may cause backlash and repercussions against one if those beliefs were aired publicly, by utilizing the internet’s capacity for anonymity one can safely and freely express their unpopular, but sometimes necessary, statements. When the government seems unable to curtail the use of anonymous profiles for messaging it seems that they will instead turn to outright blackouts of internet usage in order to cut off any dissent.
Credibility of sources:
Global Voices is a reporting site that attempts to translate and distribute stories from around the globe that may otherwise be repressed or not widely disseminated. They aim to make a positive impact by connecting and empowering people around the globe.
Ethical implications:
The censorship and threats used against the peoples of South Asia violates their ability to express their own, sometimes dissenting, opinions. Though there are some ways to work around these violations of the individual's right to freedom of expression, such as using VPNs to avoid tracking, actions such as government enforced internet blackouts are difficult, if not impossible, to circumvent.

Scrapbook 2 - CST 373

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/12/27/16822736/apple-battery-slowdown-iphone-6-6s-se-lawsuit

Summary:
Apple recently admitted to throttling some of the older phone’s performance when the battery has degraded with time. Company representatives claim that they are trying to decrease the chances of the phone shutting down randomly to protect its electronic parts. However, they previously had not told anyone that they were throttling the performance of their older phone models. Because of this at least five different lawsuits have recently been filed stating that people believed their phones had naturally degraded and purchased newer and more expensive models. Those suing Apple believe that the company was purposefully throttling the older models not to save the phone due to battery degradation, but instead to convince users to purchase new phones, which are much more expensive than buying new batteries.
The reason this article was chosen:
I found this article interesting as the issue that arose, whether it is necessary for Apple to inform its customers of its throttling of older products or how to fix it, brings up an interesting ethical dilemma.
Credibility of sources:
The verge is a relatively new multimedia site for news and information. Their interview with Apple is what initially broke this story and this particular article is a follow up to the backlash it created.
Ethical implications:
Is it ok for companies to purposefully throttle the performance of their older models without telling their customers? While controlling the phone’s performance in order to make the product last longer seems admirable, not informing the customer of the diminishing performance, or the solution, installing a new battery, seems unethical.

Scarpbook 1 - CST 373

https://www.news.virginia.edu/content/cool-or-creepy-human-implanted-microchips-are-here

Summary:

A company based out of Wisconsin has begun allowing employees to have RFID implants placed inside their arm to make tasks at work easier to accomplish. With this and subsequent implants the individual’s privacy may become even more compromised as aspects such as location, purchases, time spent in specific areas, and who someone is spending time with can all become logged and monitored.

The reason this article was chosen:

This article was chosen due to the issues involving monitoring and privacy, primarily in the workplace, as discussed in the chapter.

Credibility of its sources:

University of Virginia is a reliable academic source.

Ethical implications:

While the implants may cause ones’ more mundane tasks to become more easily accomplished, is the possibility to be monitored worth the afforded comfort? As this technology progresses it is not unreasonable to think that a person’s location, proximity to other implanted users, health vitals, purchases, and more could all be monitored. Would it be ok for either a business or government agency to implement these implants in order to track individuals, and to what extent should they be allowed to?