Online privacy concerns arise as website lists personal data - 5 views

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  #1 juliet huang on 19 Aug 09

   

  The link : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/448207/1/.html
  
  Case Summary: Red Nano is a people-search engine which allows others to find you in the public internet domain. Engineer Chua Kim Cheng tried searching for his own name under the "People Search" function at the Red Nano website and got a shock to his particulars and address listed. The addresses of residents living in the same housing block as him were also listed. Mr. Chua said that he has never given consent to SPH search, which runs the rednano search engine function. However, the authorities have clarified that there is currently no law for online privacy, although there are general guidelines for guarding the confidentiality of personal data .
  
  Additionally, there is a Model Code for companies in the private sector which provides guidelines and principles on the proper management of personal information. However, this is not compulsory for companies to adhere to.
  
  Ethical problem: No consent was given for personal information to be shared on the rednano search engine.
  
  Ethical question:
  1.) Should there be a strict law pertaining only to privacy online, and how should it be administered?
  
  2.) SPH has responded that it is not at liberty to disclose its data sources. Thus, the problem here is that while consent was not given by Mr. Chua, he could have disclosed his information unwittingly via traditional marketing tools such as filling up survey forms, lucky draws etc. While it is not ethical for SPH to share public information without consent, Mr. Chua might have already signed away his rights. Thus, we need to question who should bear the blame : the consumer himself, the marketing companies( probably SPH's data sources), or the corporation which purchases such information? Is there a caveat emptor in this situation?
  
  3.) SPH has also stated that "Its "People Search" section is an opportunity for the public to extend their visibility, socially or professionally, on the Internet. " The technology has its pros and cons. This follows that other people might not think that this issue is an ethical concern as it is beneficial for others to increase online visibility without lifting a finger. Rednano has to monitor the usage of such services and prevent abuse.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">The link : <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/448207/1/.html">http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/448207/1/.html</a> <br /> <br /> Case Summary: Red Nano is a people-search engine which allows others to find you in the public internet domain. Engineer Chua Kim Cheng tried searching for his own name under the "People Search" function at the Red Nano website and got a shock to his particulars and address listed. The addresses of residents living in the same housing block as him were also listed. Mr. Chua said that he has never given consent to SPH search, which runs the rednano search engine function. However, the authorities have clarified that there is currently no law for online privacy, although there are general guidelines for guarding the confidentiality of personal data . <br /> <br /> Additionally, there is a Model Code for companies in the private sector which provides guidelines and principles on the proper management of personal information. However, this is not compulsory for companies to adhere to. <br /> <br /> Ethical problem: No consent was given for personal information to be shared on the rednano search engine. <br /> <br /> Ethical question: <br /> 1.) Should there be a strict law pertaining only to privacy online, and how should it be administered? <br /> <br /> 2.) SPH has responded that it is not at liberty to disclose its data sources. Thus, the problem here is that while consent was not given by Mr. Chua, he could have disclosed his information unwittingly via traditional marketing tools such as filling up survey forms, lucky draws etc. While it is not ethical for SPH to share public information without consent, Mr. Chua might have already signed away his rights. Thus, we need to question who should bear the blame : the consumer himself, the marketing companies( probably SPH's data sources), or the corporation which purchases such information? Is there a caveat emptor in this situation? <br /> <br /> 3.) SPH has also stated that "Its "People Search" section is an opportunity for the public to extend their visibility, socially or professionally, on the Internet. " The technology has its pros and cons. This follows that other people might not think that this issue is an ethical concern as it is beneficial for others to increase online visibility without lifting a finger. Rednano has to monitor the usage of such services and prevent abuse.</div>

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