Google's ethical challenges

Question

What are the ethical dilemmas that Google faces in its operation?

Answer

Google is an organisation known world-wide for its search engine as well as its mobile operating system, Android. Braun (2016) highlights that over the past decade, Google has seen tremendous growth both in the search as well as the mobile field. Onyancha (2015) states that while on one hand Google has open sourced its mobile operating system and offers a variety of free services, the organisation uses these to collect vast amounts of data, potentially breaching individual privacy. This is the model adopted by Google to generate revenue and while some may call it an ethically troublesome, Google itself clarifies this before any user signs up for their services. An organisation that operates at a global scale across 100s of markets and is a powerful source of global searches has the ability to filter its results. This is another important dilemma that Google faces; where the organisation is often in favour of certain agendas in the global environment, this can influence individuals using this global search engine and hence has moral and ethical implications. These aspects form the basis of various ethical considerations that the organisation needs to consider when operating in various global markets and hence in order to rectify these issues, the firm needs to develop a neutral ethical and moral position, regardless of its preferences.

References

Onyancha, O. (2015)"An informetrics view of the relationship between internet ethics, computer ethics and cyberethics", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 33 Iss: 3, pp.387 – 408 Braun, N. (2016) "Google search volume sentiment and its impact on REIT market movements", Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Vol. 34 Iss: 3, pp.249 - 262