Ethical and Legal Case Study

$$ Read Chapter $12"$ The Ethical and Legal implications of Information Systems" in your textbook by Bourgeois et al$.$

$$ Read the following case study and answer the questions below:

Case Study: Social Media Manipulation and Ethics

Background: TechScape, a fictitious multinational technology company, recently launched "Glimmer," a new social media platform that quickly gained millions of users globally. The platform allows users to post, like, comment, and share content, similar to other existing platforms. However, Glimmer's unique selling proposition is its personalized news feed algorithm, which curates content it deems most relevant to individual users based on their online behavior, likes, shares, and comments.

A recent internal report leaked to the public revealed that TechScape's developers had purposely manipulated the algorithm of Glimmer to increase user engagement. The algorithm prioritized controversial and divisive content because it generated more reactions and shares than neutral or positive content. As a result, many users were being exposed predominantly to content that reinforced their biases, leading to more polarization and divisiveness among its user base.

Furthermore, it was discovered that the Glimmer platform had been selling user data to third$-$party companies without clear consent from its users. This revelation further eroded the trust of the public in Glimmer and TechScape.

$$ Questions:

o Is it ethical for TechScape to design an algorithm that promotes divisive content just to increase user engagement?

o What are the potential long$-$term implications of such a design choice on society?

How should TechScape have approached the issue of data selling?

o What steps should they take now that the public is aware of their practices?

o Should there be more stringent regulations for social media platforms regarding the type of content they promote? If so$,$ how can these regulations be implemented without infringing on freedom of speech?

o Considering the societal impact of technology platforms like Glimmer, what corporate social responsibility $($CSR$)$ initiatives can TechScape employ to rebuild trust and rectify the harm they might have caused?As future professionals in the Information Technology sector, what steps would you take to ensure that the technologies you create or manage are ethically sound and socially responsible?