BASED ON NSPE PLEASE HELP ME TO KNOW IT IS RIGHT OR WRONG. 1) Word of a massive
ID: 1867702 • Letter: B
Question
BASED ON NSPE PLEASE HELP ME TO KNOW IT IS RIGHT OR WRONG.
1) Word of a massive customer data breach, the name of the corporation involved and the name of the software engineer who discovered the data breach is leaked through social media. A major national news organization contacts the corporate public information office and is refused an interview. The national news organization then contacts the software engineer named in social media and she also refuses an interview. The software engineer involved is under no ethical obligation to discuss the data breach with the national news organization.
2) By refusing to make public statements about the data breach to a national news organization the software engineer is deceiving the public.
Explanation / Answer
As per the NSPE code of ethics,
In light of the points referenced above, it can be said that, the best course of action for the software engineer, would be to communicate the fact that the company might be involved in something illegal and corrective action needs to be taken. If the employer insists on carrying on with the unlawful activity, they should alert the proper authorities.
However, they are under no obligation to alert the media or the public.
As per Section III.3,"Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public". However, this is limited to issuing statements that misrepresent or omit material facts. But then again they are not obliged to issue statements to the media. As such a refusal to issue public statement is not deception.
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