71. An online retailer has experienced rapid growth over the past several years and has decided to revisit its information security policies. Among many changes, one aspect indicates that customer data can only be accessed by employees with specific privileges. Which ethical concern is addressed by this aspect of the new policies?
Answer: D
Privacy
The aspect of the new policies that restricts access to customer data to only those employees with specific privileges directly addresses privacy concerns. This ensures that sensitive customer information is protected from unauthorized access, thereby maintaining the confidentiality of personal data.
A) Human welfare
While human welfare is an important ethical consideration, it primarily focuses on the overall well-being of individuals and communities. This option does not specifically address the issue of data access and protection, making it less relevant to the context of the new policies.
B) Proportionality
Proportionality refers to the ethical principle that actions should be proportionate to their consequences. Although this principle is important in many ethical discussions, it does not directly relate to the specific measures taken to control access to customer data within the retailer's security policies.
C) Justice
Justice involves fairness and the equitable treatment of individuals. Although the new policies may contribute to a fairer treatment of customer data, the primary ethical concern being addressed is not justice itself, but rather the protection of individual privacy which is paramount in data handling.
D) Privacy
This option is correct as it specifically pertains to the protection of personal information. By limiting access to customer data based on employee privileges, the retailer is actively working to safeguard the privacy of its customers, which is essential in maintaining trust and compliance with data protection regulations.
Conclusion
The new policies explicitly focus on privacy by restricting access to customer data, thereby ensuring that only authorized personnel can view sensitive information. This measure is crucial in protecting customer confidentiality and aligns with ethical obligations regarding data protection. Other options, while relevant in broader ethical discussions, do not address the specific concern of data access and privacy.