Information ethics is a complex issue since, on the one hand, technology allows companies to use data in order to improve their operations and customer experiences, while on the other, collecting and using information arises privacy concerns. The most recent case that highlights the importance of ethical discussions regarding information management is the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica case. The latter company collected data about millions of Facebook users without their consent. The main implication is that this data could be further used by organisations that want to personalise advertisements and product offerings. However, many concerns arise from this scenario.
The main concern that became the centre of public attention after the disclosure of Cambridge Analytica’s activities was the impact that the company’s operations had on the elections in the United States. However, the issue of whether it is ethically correct to collect information about users without their explicit consent and further use it to promote products arises in this context. Organisations, for the very least, should develop and implement comprehensive and secure policies outlining the ways in which they collect and store information.
It is evident that in the contemporary world, organisations benefit from the ability to collect and use big data. However, security and intent are the main issues that require better regulation. These policies should also include protection of data regarding the companies operations and its employees. From this perspective, it is evident that organisations benefit from not disclosing the information about their operations because competitors will be able to benefit from this. In general, the issue of information management is a matter of privacy and ethical values, and companies should dedicate effort towards explicitly stating their policies regarding information collection and management.