Ethical Issues In E-Commerce

E-Commerces?

What Is E-Commerce

E- Commerce consists of the buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks. The use of commerce is conducted in this way, spurring and drawing on innovations in electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, and automated data collection systems. Although the use of the electronic business technologies expanding rapidly, there are many barriers that may hinder the development of e-commerce aside from cultural barriers and differing consumer preferences. One of the issues that important in e-commerce is ethical issues. Ethics is an important issue to business activities. The abundant literature on implementing a code of ethics in a business environment is the evidence of its importance. However, emphasis has been placed on the formal procedure of positive environment development and implementation, while very little attention has been given on how to implement to the individuals who must follow the code. A code of ethics theoretically restates a person’s moral ideals. Adhering to moral ideals requires integrity and courage of convictions, it is not easy to do what you know is right. It is even more difficult to follow a code of ethics that runs counter to your own values

Ethics In Electronic Commerce

Ethics is an important element in all aspects of computing, and proves to be a real problem in the development and delivery of electronic commerce systems. There are many aspects of ethics that can affect electronic commerce systems, but perhaps the most notable and worrying to both consumers and developers is that of trust. In a world where so much information is transmitted and shared electronically, ethical standards applied in general society and in different industries, are often ignored or forgotten. Ethical considerations in electronic commerce have been discussed for years, and possible solutions offered to participants who can encourage developers to consider ethical considerations and prove excellence and trust to the consumer. For example, In Hong Kong, the SAR government has enacted a set of laws to ensure the legality of electronic submission so that legal rights of users of the e-commerce system can be protected. Being honest and trustworthy is paramount in the success of any project. Steps must be taken early in the business/development cycle to secure trust among team members. This means that the use of text only chat and e-mail being kept to a bare minimum and more human forms of communication be arranged. Not only does this build up identification based trust, but also deterrence trust as well.

How E-Commerces work behind the scene.

Issues Of Privacy

The issues of privacy include the collection, storage, and dissemination of information about individuals. Internet users in many countries rate privacy as their first or second top concerns. As one of the main issues within electronic commerce procurement, privacy is becoming hot dog in both practical and academic fields. It is now commonplace to assert that privacy is becoming a very significant political issue. It is high on the political agendas of advanced industrial states. Many political candidates have been forced to develop positions on the subject. The subject is always in the media. It is debated in the corporate boardrooms, as well as in the corridors of governments. Even a small industry has grown up in offering privacy-protective technologies. Nowadays, more and more internet crimes occurred in which privacy one of the main issues is being hotly debated. For example, On Friday the 16th of November 1999, one of the UK’s largest banks and online share dealers, the Hailifax Bank plc, suspended their Internet share dealing after customers were able to gain access to other people’s accounts. Although Internet brokerages are still in their infancy and expected to have some teething problems, it is this sort of breach of security that fails those consumers who place their trust in electronic commerce businesses. Trust that your money or shares will be secure is only one aspect. With its rapid growth, the Internet has generated concerns over information privacy. Information Privacy is the interest an individual has in controlling, or at least significantly influencing, the handling of data about themselves.

Issues Of Copyright

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), copyright refers to creation of the mind, inventions, literary and artistic works and symbols, names, images and designs used in commerce. Copyrights are one of the foundations of modern society. Without these rights, the movie, music, software, publishing, pharmaceutical and biotech industries would collapse. The threat to intellectual property includes wide-scale individual theft, counterfeit brand names, and copied patented technology. The issue of copyright is causing tremendous concerns and problems in computerized world. From an economics point of view, the new approach is based on market analysis, which evaluates property rights of contents owners as well as the public’s interest in protecting certain products. Whether user interfaces should be protected is still being argued. Regardless of the ultimate decision, this situation illustrates that market analysis in a copyright infringement issue involves much more detailed study on specific product characteristics and the market. For digital products, copyright schemes based on economic analysis may prove to be more valuable than legal and technical solutions.

Issues Of Fraud

It is easy to reach millions on the Internet and to conduct different types of E-Commerce-related fraud. The success of E-Commerce depends on the protection provided to consumers and merchants. E-commerce fraud costs retailers approximately $4 billion each year, according to the most recent results of an annual survey conducted by Cybersource, a provider of electronic payment and risk management services. For example is online credit card fraud. The problem is the fear that credit card holders are personally liable for all of the charges that an online thief might rack up. The degree of concern about this problem suggests something more basic. Consumers may be reacting to the threat to their personal privacy that is implicit in online fraud. From a survey, at least half of consumers in the United Kingdom (55 percent), Canada (54 percent), urban Brazil (51 percent), and Japan (50 percent) say the possibility of online credit card fraud is a major concern.

E-Commerces are being used around the world nowadays