COMPSCI4038 Professional Skills & Issues 2021
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Professional Skills & Issues (H)
COMPSCI4038
2021
1. Consider each of the following scenarios. Identify and briefly explain the professional, legal, ethical, and/or social issues raised by each scenario.
Note: Your answers should be short (50– 100 words for each scenario). The word count guidance is only indicative, and candidates can write more or less than the stated word count guidance.
(a) Landin and McCarthy have created a successful dating platform that matches individuals through an algorithm. The application requires individuals to provide data on their sexual orientation, political views, gender, genetic history, criminal record, mental health, salary, ethic group and location. The application only seeks consent for location as the initial version of the application only displays individuals who are close in proximity. Landin is concerned that a Freedom of Information request may be used to reveal the sexual orientation and political views of some users. McCarthy is also concerned about Freedom of Information requests and being accused of defamation. McCarthy is concerned such requests may reveal email conversations he has had with Landin as well as some friends outside the company about the criminal histories of some users.
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(b) Strachey and Wilkes are founders of a successful start-up company in the United Kingdom. The pair sell and distribute payment software over the Internet for small businesses that is considerably cheaper than its competitors. The graduate software engineers noticed that many solutions state they are fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The pair of graduates made similar claims to competitors about their solution despite neither knowing much about the standard. The pair also emphasise their commitment to the environment, ethical software development and adherence to the ACM Code of Ethics in all product marketing. The start-up company recently received a complaint from a client that the primary account number (PAN) of customers is displayed on customer receipts and stored without any truncation. Strachey and Wilkes state they appreciate the feedback, and the company will introduce features over time for clients to decide on truncation rules. The client states PCI DSS is the law, and the software is not fit for purpose as it does not comply with the law in terms of truncation. Strachey and Wilkes argue there is nothing wrong with their offering, the solution is fully complaint with PCI DSS and no refund will be offered.
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(c) Keller, Perlman and Feinler are leaders of a successful software development firm in the United Kingdom and are looking to expand. The pair are concerned that the company website is not compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and this may dissuade some applicants. Keller argues that the trio must resolve the issue as soon as possible as under the law, private companies must comply with WCAG. Perlman argues that many companies must be in a similar situation, and they should hire some software engineers that have lived experience of specific disabilities. Keller agrees and suggests requiring applicants to confirm they have a disability and write a short story oftheir experience to ensure the application process is efficient. Feinler raises concern that such an application approach could be against the law as it would be perceived as discriminatory. Perlman argues that such discrimination is permitted as the company has reasonable justification for their actions.
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(d) Conway and Adleman have developed a successful smartphone application that allows individuals to securely store files using technologies that they have developed and marketed as SecureSave. The pair have publicly documented all technical aspects of SecureSave to support others in scrutinising the system. Conway and Adleman earn money from the smartphone application that utilises the technology. While the application is initially free to use for all individuals, frequent users are locked out of the application and their files until they enrol in a subscription. Conway and Adleman do not mention this in advance to individuals as the pair believe it may dissuade individuals from using the application. Adleman argues he is more concerned about customers reverse engineering the product and sharing how to compromise the software. Conway dismisses such a concern and argues that the pair do not need to worry about reverse engineering as SecureSave is a company trade secret. Conway argues they can seek legal routes against any customer that reverse engineers the product. Furthermore, Conway argues in the worst case, if a reverse engineered solution becomes public, the pair can go through the expense of obtaining a patent.
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2022-07-30