Digital Ethics

This case addresses a multi-dimensional big data ethics dilemma. Ahmet Meraklı, the owner of Ereuna Research, finds himself in a tricky situation, which can lead to both a major professional accomplishment and an ethical challenge. A joint project run by Ereuna Research and Future Data, a start-up founded by an academic specialising in data science, Dr Elif Budak, had just begun to generate valuable results through what some might see as a potentially controversial process.

What ethical decisions await those dressing up for Halloween--and those reacting to racially insensitive costumes? A case study on Halloween and internet shaming. Authored by Sophia Park & Scott R. Stroud. More case studies at www.mediaethicsinitiative.org.

Smart city policy approaches have been gradually transitioning in parallel with data policy regulations. This is the case for Barcelona, which has been executing its policy framework called ‘data commons’ with the goal of further grassroots-led urban experimentations. This paper examines to what extent the new paradigm of ‘data commons’ will remain and even be reinforced, given the ongoing local elections and the volatile political and regional context of the upcoming May 2019 elections. In doing so, this paper elaborates on the steps Barcelona has been taking, given the new ‘Declaration of Cities Coalition for Digital Rights’ signed by Barcelona, Amsterdam, and New York. Nonetheless, as a result and continuation of previous published fieldwork research, by applying the Penta Helix framework from a social innovation perspective, this paper questions why several implementations are being consolidated while others actually show a tension between two different models: ‘platform capitalism’ vs ‘platform co-operativism’. In regard to the former model, permanent strikes provoked by the Elite Taxi BCN association in August 2018 in response to the aftermath of big tech companies Cabify and Uber initially cleared to operate in Barcelona by the regional government, have demonstrated the negative side-effects of ‘platform capitalism’. By contrast, Som Energia is a successful case study based on the latter innovative business model, ‘platform co-operativism’, stemming from grassroots-led urban experimentation. This paper concludes by suggesting a synthesis regarding the ongoing platform revolution at stake, in light of the need for democratic accountability.

Some companies are hoping to use AI--and the treasure trove of our social media postings--to create convincing chatbot simulations of us after we die. What are the ethical worries surrounding these "legacy chatbots" that promise to keep us close to our departed loved ones? A case study authored by Colin Frick & Scott R. Stroud. More case studies at www.mediaethicsinitiative.org

What are the ethical concerns with naming and shaming racists on sites like Racists Getting Fired? A case study on the ethics of crowd-sourced anti-racist activism online. Authored by Alex Purcell & Scott R. Stroud. More case studies at www.mediaethicsinitiative.org