SpectorSoft markets eBlaster as a way to keep track of what your spouse or child

Question

SpectorSoft markets eBlaster as a way to keep track of what your spouse or children are doing online. Operating in stealth mode, eBlaster tracks every single keystroke from instant messages to passwords entered into a computer. It also records every email sent and received and every Web sit visited by unsuspecting user. The data are sent anonymously to an IP address of the person who installed eBlaster. It could also be installed on the computers of a business.

PLEASE answer the following discussion questions:

1. Do you think it would be ethical for a business to install eBlaster to ensure that its employees are engaged only in work related activities? If so, under what conditions would using it be appropriate? If not, why not?

2. Apply the normative theories of business ethics to this situation.

Your prompt ASAP reply would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Explanation / Answer

1.
Yes, it will be ethical to install the application to the computers used in the organization, but it should be informed to the employees so that the employees can conduct only work related activities. Here, the organization makes this conduct to be ethical because it only installs the application in those computers that are being used in working hours and for the working purpose. It will help the employee to contribute more in productive activities and achieve the organizational objectives. It is within the rights of the organization to motivate the employees towards those informal and formal activities that are intended to improve the performance at work. It will also deter the employees from participating in distracting and non-productive activities. The ethical perspective of this action will be proven by the utilitarian as well as the deontological approach of ethics as a part of normative ethics.

2.
The action of implementing the application can be reviewed by the utilitarian approach of ethics that is the part of normative theory of ethics. The utilitarian approach says that the action is ethical if it benefits the majority of people. Installing the application will prevent the distractions of non-productive or non-work related activities. It will cause the improvement in performance and company will earn more profit. As a result, higher amount of bonus will be awarded to the employees. Further, the intention of the action is to drive people towards the work and prevent the distraction that is morally correct, hence the deontological approach of ethics also validate the action taken up by the company.

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