i Whistleblowing Computer Professional Edward Joseph Snowden is an American comp
ID: 3712895 • Letter: I
Question
i
Whistleblowing Computer Professional Edward Joseph Snowden is an American computer professional, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee, and former contractor for the United States government who leaked classified information from the National Security Agency (NSA) to The Guardian and The Washington Post in June 2013. His disclosures revealed numerous global surveillance programs many run by the NSA (including the PRISM surveillance program) and the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance with the cooperation of telecommunication companies and European governments. Questions: a. Did the computer professional fulfill his ethical obligation by informing the news agencies? b. If you were that computer professional, how would you respond to this situation? Explain your answer using the Code of Ethics provided below Relevant Code of Ethics: I. "Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties." 2. "Engineers shall at all times recognize that their primary obligation is to protect the safety, health, property and welfare of the public. If their professional judgment is overruled under circumstances where the safety, health, property or welfare of the public are endangered, they shall notify their employer or client and such other authority as may be appropriate 3. "Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees." 4 "Engineers shall not complete, sign, or seal plans andor specifications that are not of a design safe to the public health and welfare and in conformity with accepted engineering standards. If the client or employer insists on such unprofessional conduct, they shall notify the proper authorities and withdraw from further service on the project."Explanation / Answer
As per the relevant code of ethics which are mentioned in the question. More specifically the point 4 which states,
"Engineer shall not complete, sign, or seal plans and/or specifications that are not of a design safe to the pulic health and welfare and in conformity with accepted engineering standards. If the client or employer insists on such unprofessional conduct, they shall notify the proper authorities and withdraw from further service on the project"
The key aspect which needs to be noted here is that public well being and safety are considered paramount, and if the engineer feels that any time during his work he is in part being responsible for the aggravation of the public health and safety then he must disassociate himself from the project and inform the employers/client about the potential risk.
Edward Snowden worked for the Government. This means that even if he wanted to do the right thing and wanted to lodge the protest against the unlawful massive surviellance of general pubilc, whom would he report? The Government agencies involved were the Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agencies. Their very job was to maintain the well being of public and safeguard the nation from any possible terrorist attack.
The Snowden Issue highlights, what is more important to the general public. Their privacy or the assurance of safety at the cost of losing their privacy at the hands of their Governments. You cannot draw a clear line here, The line gets somewhat blurred in this debate.
(b.)
If I was that Computer Professional, I would have taken same steps as Snowden but would have remained more cautious and honest about my intentions, with everyone. Informing the authorities about the possible risks involved with such massive violation of public trusts and privacy.
I would have leaked information more secretly, though it might not have made the same impact as it does when there is a clear source taking the responsibility.
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