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Ethics & Big Data

Author

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  • Herschel, Richard
  • Miori, Virginia M.

Abstract

Big Data is a digital phenomenon that enables the collection and use of massive amounts of data derived from both man and machine. This data is characterized in terms of its volume, variety, velocity, veracity, variability, and its complexity. While Big Data allows firms to rapidly capture, analyze, and exploit information, it can also enable access to data that compromises an individual's privacy. And this can happen either deliberately or inadvertently. Either way, Big Data fosters a discussion of ethical issues relative to the sharing and usage of data. Ethical debates are typically articulated within the context of ethical theories. These theories help to frame our understanding of moral issues. Their use affords insight into the context and the logic of the moral arguments being presented, thereby providing us with a rational mechanism by which to better evaluate whether an intended action or actual outcome is morally right or wrong. Four ethical theories are briefly reviewed in this paper: Kantianism, Utilitarianism, Social Contract Theory, and Virtue Theory. Each theory is than examined to show how it might be employed to examine Big Data issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Herschel, Richard & Miori, Virginia M., 2017. "Ethics & Big Data," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 31-36.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:49:y:2017:i:c:p:31-36
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2017.03.003
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Keren Naa Abeka Arthur & Richard Owen, 2019. "A Micro-ethnographic Study of Big Data-Based Innovation in the Financial Services Sector: Governance, Ethics and Organisational Practices," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 160(2), pages 363-375, December.
    2. Foecking, Nico & Wang, Mei & Huynh, Toan Luu Duc, 2021. "How do investors react to the data breaches news? Empirical evidence from Facebook Inc. during the years 2016–2019," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    3. Raza, Syed Arshad, 2021. "Managing ethical requirements elicitation of complex socio-technical systems with critical systems thinking: A case of course-timetabling project," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    4. Andrea North-Samardzic, 2020. "Biometric Technology and Ethics: Beyond Security Applications," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(3), pages 433-450, December.
    5. S. Vijayakumar Bharathi, 2017. "Prioritizing and Ranking the Big Data Information Security Risk Spectrum," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 18(3), pages 183-201, September.
    6. Adriana Gabriela ALEXANDRU & Irina Miruna RADU & Madalina - Lavinia BIZON, 2018. "Big Data in Healthcare - Opportunities and Challenges," Informatica Economica, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 22(2), pages 43-54.

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