In Australia’s software industry, there is a set code of ethics to follow so that corporations can conduct business with honesty and integrity.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS)‘s code of ethics
The ACS has a code of ethics set to outline ethical values businesses should uphold in the industry.
Ethical issues
Ethical issues in software usually refers to one’s rights, privacy, safety or trust. Issues could result in:
- Loss of trust
- Reputational damage
- Legal action
- Even harm to victims Common issues include:
- Ineffective security practices: failing to implement strong security measures, such as MFA, passwords and code validation could result in data leaks.
- AI use in development: although could be used as a powerful assistant and tool in development, developers should question the AI’s output as it may result in negative consequences.
- Intellectual property and copyright: using someone’s code, images, or algorithms can result in legal consequences. Developers must respect licensing agreements and other copyright methods, such as giving credit.
- User privacy and metadata: data leaks with user’s private data or metadata must be addressed quickly and fixed.
- Content moderation and offensive material: if software includes communication tools (such as social media), developers have to prevent the spread of harmful content.