We are living in an age where technology is capturing and processing the details of everything we do through our interconnected devices in real time. 

Sustainability is another issue that affects all of us. Global warming is causing an increase in the density, strength, and location of ferocious tornadoes, uncontrollable wildfires, and sea level rise that can lead to catastrophic floods, tsunamis, and larger numbers of disastrous hurricanes. Lack of access to clean water, proper sanitation, and food security most directly affect those in developing countries. Technology can help alleviate and even remedy some of these concerns.

Ethics are particularly important in the use and administration of information systems since they deal with sensitive personal and corporate information and misuse can impact the lives and well-being of so many. Any discussion about data collection and digital devices raises ethical questions that might include:

Does the availability of data justify their use?

Should shoppers be able to keep their buying habits private?

Can people keep their entertainment, online gaming, and other legal activities confidential?

Do media have the right to publish or post highly private text messages of politicians and celebrities?

Tech Note 14.1 presents a comprehensive set of ethical principles widely used by organizations worldwide to govern ethical behavior in the workplace. Even though companies have ethic codes of conduct standards in place, often times we see bad behavior. For example, read in chapter 14 about unethical behavior such as Volkswagon and a former Goldman Sachs programmer, and all the things going on with Mobile Apps as shown in table 14-1.