Ethics in the Information Age                      Discussion Project: Privacy Policies

Discuss whether or not the US should adopt privacy policies similar to those implemented by European countries, where privacy is considered to be a right that trumps most commercial and ‘free speech’ concerns.  For example:

·  Personal information cannot be collected or shared without consumers’ permission, and they have the right to review the data and correct inaccuracies.
·  Companies that collect and process data must register their activities with the government.
·  Personal information cannot be shared by companies or across borders without express permission from the data subject. 
·  Checkout clerks cannot ask for shoppers’ phone numbers or other persoanlly identifying information.
-   Employers cannot read workers’ private e-mail.
·  Credit reports keep track only of borrowers who have defaulted on a loan, other information about your debts and how you have paid them is considered private.
·  Publications can be sued for publishing information about sexual behavior, even if true.

  Try to:

1) assemble arguments for each side of this question and

2) think of possible answers to those arguments

Then:

3. Decide which side of this question has the strongest reasons in its favor.