Information Ethics

Information ethics is an applied branch of ethics that examines the moral values, principles, and responsibilities individuals, institutions, and societies must adhere to when using information and communication technologies. The term “ethics” is derived from the Greek word ethos (character) and aims to distinguish right from wrong, good from bad, and to foster fair and responsible behavior.

Information ethics is the application of these general ethical principles to the processes of digital information creation, storage, sharing, and use. It encompasses both formal and informal rules that determine how individuals should behave toward each other, systems, and society in digital environments.

Information ethics is not merely a technical discipline but also a field with social, legal, and philosophical dimensions. In this sense, it is a value system that seeks to ensure individuals act truthfully, honestly, respectfully, and fairly in digital environments.

Concepts of Ethics and Information Ethics

Ethics addresses the principles that guide individual behavior, sustain social order, and define appropriate conduct. Ethical behavior is shaped by principles of honesty, impartiality, responsibility, respect, and justice.

Information ethics adapts these principles to the dynamics of the digital world. In computer, network, and internet environments, the foundation lies in the correct, secure, honest, and responsible use of information. Ethical behavior presupposes that information technologies should be used not solely for personal gain but for social benefit and public service.

Within the scope of information ethics, the behaviors of users, developers, managers, and service providers are evaluated within an ethical code system. These codes help individuals understand which actions are considered right or wrong.

Emergence and Importance of Information Ethics

The concept of information ethics emerged in the second half of the 20th century with the widespread adoption of computer technologies. As societies transitioned from industrial to information societies, increased access to information, data sharing, and communication opportunities brought forth new moral challenges.

During this period, information became both an economic and a social power resource. However, the misuse, abuse, or unauthorized use of information began to threaten individuals’ privacy, security, and freedom. This situation rendered information ethics a necessary concept.

Information ethics guides not only individual behavior but also that of states, institutions, and businesses. Areas such as information security, protection of personal data, software licensing, combating cybercrime, social media use, and artificial intelligence systems fall within the scope of information ethics.

Key Ethical Issues in Information Technology

The rapid advancement of information technologies has introduced new ethical challenges. These issues have generated novel dilemmas that affect individual behavior in digital environments and impact social order and safety. Key ethical issues can be grouped under the following headings:

• Accuracy and Reliability of Information: Users bear responsibility for the accuracy, currency, and reliability of information shared online. Spreading false information or engaging in deliberate manipulation is unethical.
• Privacy of Private Life: Unauthorized collection, sharing, or sale of personal data constitutes a violation of the right to privacy. Individuals’ private lives must be protected with respect.
• Intellectual Property Rights: Unauthorized copying, sharing, or use of digital products such as software, music, films, and articles violates information ethics.
• Computer Crimes: Unauthorized access to information systems, data theft, development of malicious software, and electronic fraud constitute both ethical violations and criminal offenses.
• Unemployment and Social Effects: Automation, robotic systems, and artificial intelligence may lead to the disappearance of certain professions, thereby generating social inequalities.
• Health and Psychological Issues: Prolonged screen use, virtual addiction, and social isolation have become new areas of ethical debate.
• Virtual Environments and Social Relationships: Behaviors such as anonymity in virtual spaces, cyberbullying, manipulation, and hate speech contradict ethical principles.

These issues can be mitigated through conscious technology use and enhanced ethical awareness among individuals.

Ethical Principles and Rules

The principles of information ethics aim to ensure that individuals do not harm themselves or society when using information tools. Ten fundamental principles established internationally by the Computer Ethics Institute (CEI), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) form the core of information ethics:

1. Do not use a computer to harm other people.
2. Do not interfere with other people’s computer work.
3. Do not snoop into other people’s files without authorization.
4. Do not use a computer to steal.
5. Do not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Do not copy or use software for which payment has not been made.
7. Do not use other people’s computer resources without authorization.
8. Do not appropriate other people’s intellectual output.
9. Consider the social consequences of software development.
10. Use computers with respect for others.

IEEE’s professional principles for software engineers also define behavioral standards for information professionals:

• Always prioritize the public interest,
• Use the most current technological standards in product development,
• Comply with legal regulations and licensing agreements,
• Collaborate with colleagues,
• Remain open to professional development and contribute to knowledge sharing.

These principles aim to foster ethical awareness and ensure professional trust within the information technology sector.

Rights and Freedoms in Information Technology

Information ethics is directly linked to human rights. While safeguarding users’ rights to access information, freedom of communication, and privacy of private life, it also requires respect for the rights of others.

In this context, the fundamental rules to be observed in information environments are as follows:

• Computers must not be used to harm others.
• Unauthorized interference with other people’s computer work or files must be avoided.
• Computers must not be used for theft, fraud, or illegal data sharing.
• Software or content for which payment has not been made must not be copied without authorization.
• Intellectual and artistic works must be protected under copyright laws and must not be shared without the author’s permission.
• Use of computers and the internet must conform to social values and legal norms.

These principles define individuals’ digital rights and responsibilities.

Social Media and Internet Ethics

Social media ethics requires responsible behavior in online sharing, communication, and interaction processes. Because social media has the power to reach wide audiences, ethical violations can have significant consequences.

Key social media ethical rules:

• Be impartial and honest; do not share false information.
• Avoid content that contradicts societal values or contains insults or hate speech.
• Respect others’ private lives, privacy, and personal rights.
• Use clear, understandable, and respectful language.
• Avoid making misleading statements about organizations or communities.
• Obtain consent from individuals before sharing photos or videos featuring them.

Internet ethics refers to behavior in online environments guided by respect, honesty, and compliance with legal norms. Users must not abuse their freedom of access, participate in illegal content, or violate copyright laws.

Information Ethics Practices in Türkiye

Efforts regarding information ethics in Türkiye are carried out at both public and private sector levels.

• The Türkiye Bilişim Derneği (TBD) defined ethical principles that public information technology staff must follow in its 2011 Kamu-BİB XIII Final Report. The report is based on principles of honesty, confidentiality, reliability, professionalism, and public interest.
• The Türkiye Bilişim Vakfı (TBV) has developed ethical code recommendations for information professionals.
• The Ministry of National Education has made the “Information Ethics and Information Security” modules mandatory in vocational high schools and technical education programs to enhance youth digital awareness.
• Universities have incorporated “Information Ethics” courses into curricula in engineering and management departments to cultivate ethical awareness.

The common goal of these initiatives is to establish an ethical, secure, and responsible technology culture within the information sector.

Information ethics is the reflection of the foundational concepts of trust, respect, and responsibility in the information society into the digital world. Conducting processes of access to, sharing of, and production of information in accordance with ethical values ensures both individual and societal security.

Users with high ethical awareness use technology not merely as a tool but as a means to strengthen social benefit. Therefore, information ethics is not merely a technical issue in the digital age; it is a requirement of a human-centered culture.