Although some new policies have already been formulated to deal with the privacy … Many of the so-called “privacy” issues raised by computers might be better understood as power issues, in that they have to do with the growing power of large bureaucracies (governmental agencies and private institutions) to affect dramatically the lives of individuals … Individuals do not have control over that information and, hence, do not know whether these agencies are basing decisions on accurate or appropriate information.
Predictor: Johnson, Deborah G.
Prediction, in context:In a 1991 article in National Forum, Deborah Johnson, author of “Computer Ethics,” writes: ”Privacy is probably the issue that has received the most public attention [in discussing ethics and networked computers] … Although some new policies have already been formulated to deal with the privacy intrusions made possible by computers, more will be necessary in the future. The issues are particularly complex because ‘privacy’ is an elusive concept. Just what we mean when we talk about ‘privacy’ and why we value it are not at all clear, as is seen when one considers the broad variety of legal cases that fall under the rubric of ‘privacy.’ Many of the so-called ‘privacy’ issues raised by computers might be better understood as power issues, in that they have to do with the growing power of large bureaucracies (governmental agencies and private institutions) to affect dramatically the lives of individuals … Individuals do not have control over that information and, hence, do not know whether these agencies are basing decisions on accurate or appropriate information.”
Biography:Deborah G. Johnson was a respected scholar in the field of computer ethics in the 1990s. She worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and wrote “Computer Ethics & Social Values” (Prentice Hall, 1995) and “Computer Ethics” (Prentice Hall, 1994). (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1991
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Jurisdiction/Control
Name of publication: National Forum
Title, headline, chapter name: Computers and Ethics
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web5.epnet.com/citation.asp?tb=1&_ug=dbs+0%2C1+ln+en%2Dus+sid+FEA17A5A%2D2C1A%2D4363%2DA900%2DB8800C5A57D2%40Sessionmgr4%2DSessionmgr3+4053&_us=bs+%7B%22computers++and++ethics%22%7D+ds+%7B%22computers++and++ethics%22%7D+dstb+KS+hd+0+hs+0+or+Date+ri+KAAACBZA00063795+sm+KS+so+phrase+ss+SO+F1D1&cf=1&fn=1&rn=5
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney