Morality and technology, or is it wrong to create and let loose a computer virus

Stories about computer-related action (e.g., placing a document about how a computer virus works on an electronic network?bulletin board) were presented to users. Data indicate that women end-users compared to men have a less libetiarian sense of what is right and wrong; as well, younger respondents are more libertarian than their older compatriots. Data also indicate that participants are less likely to endorse civil liberties and more concerned about the harm and violations of social norms when the scenario desrribes a context-spec@c situation. Researchers and policy makers may be concerned about how to maintain and protect the priwxy of individuals, and at the same time ensure moral conduct by end-users who enjoy using the electronic highway. Suggestions are made for developing theoretical models of moral judgment in the cyberspace domain. Our understanding of people’s morals regarding computer technology and information systems are limited. Are disrespectful actions judged to be moral violations, even when they are harmless, and how may end-users’ moral judgements be affected when computer technology is involved? Larws need to be developed to reduce physical harm, and social and economic reforms may be necessary to address the tide of legal violations by computer users. ’ The authors would like to thank Gregot Diirrenberger, Jonathan Haidt, Dana Hauser, Pat Hodd, Laurie Larwood, Harry Potgorewski and Ron Rice for their extensive and insightful help and suggestions made for developing and pre-testing the survey used for this study. Thanks also to Johnathan Haidt and Ron Rice for their insightful comments made on an earlier draft of this paper, as well as Robett Gray for his editorial assistance; the usual disclaimers apply. T’he authors would also like to thank Eugenia Martin for coding and entering the data. Financial support for this research project was in part pmvided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada under Contract 161-2128 and the Bums/Cleo Mowers Endowment Fund, The University of L&bridge under Contract #4-47036. Tne analysis and conclusions of this paper represent those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency. A better understanding of users’ motivations, morals and ethics is required in order to make the electronic highway a safe, equitable place. This is a prerequisite if regulatory attempts for safeguarding civil liberties against abuse and misuse are to be successful, protecting our need for privacy and freedom to use computer-mediated communication technology. Turiel, Killen and Helwig (1987) concluded from previous research investigating morality that it is useful and necessary to (1) study and explain individuals’ understanding of moral issues as they relate to general social concepts (e.g. civil liberties and justice) and (2) apply moral issues in contextual situations. This paper responds to these concerns. Stories about various actions (e.g., placing a document about how a computer virus works on an electronic network/bulletin board, using a self-made encryption device) were presented to computer users and their feelings regarding regulation and privacy issues of computer networks and bulletin boards were investigated. The conclusion summarizes the results of the survey, explores policy implications and outlines future research avenues.