Ethics In Technology Exam Preparation Material | WGU Ethics In TechnologyQCO1

Explanation:
A social audit is the process of evaluating a company’s ethical, social, and corporate responsibility performance. The executive team reviewed past ethical and social responsibility efforts, set new goals, and shared the results with employees and the board, which aligns directly with a social audit.
Relevant Ethical Reference in Technology:
Business Ethics and Corporate Accountability C Companies must evaluate their social and ethical impact to maintain ethical leadership.
Ethical IT Management (ISO 26000 & CSR Frameworks) C Businesses should regularly assess their ethical and social impact.
Transparency and Ethical Leadership C Sharing findings with employees and stakeholders promotes a culture of accountability.
IT and Digital Ethics C Ethical technology use involves regular review and reassessment of ethical
commitments.
Since the company reviewed its ethical and social responsibility goals and communicated them, it completed a social audit (D is the correct answer).

Explanation:
The Financial Privacy Rule of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) allows consumers to control how their personal financial information is shared through an opt-out mechanism.
Why is "Opt-Out" a Threat to Data Privacy?
The opt-out model assumes that consumers consent to having their data shared unless they take action to refuse.
Many consumers may not be aware of their right to opt-out, leading to widespread data sharing without explicit consent.
This is less privacy-protective than an opt-in model, where consumers must actively give permission before their data is shared.
Why Not the Other Options?
A. Opt-in C This would enhance privacy, not threaten it.
B. Safeguard C Refers to data security, not data-sharing policies.
D. Pretexting C Involves fraudulent access to financial data, which is a different issue.
Thus, the correct answer is
C. Opt-out, as it weakens consumer privacy protections by allowing data sharing unless the consumer takes action.
Reference in Ethics in Technology:
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (1999), 15 U.S.C. §§ 6801-6809.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guide to GLBA Opt-Out Provisions.
Nissenbaum, H. (2010). Privacy in Context: Technology, Policy, and the Integrity of Social Life.

Explanation:
The unauthorized change in the security key vault’s database led to the disclosure of confidential information, which directly impacts privacy. Privacy concerns the protection of personal and sensitive information from unauthorized access, use, or exposure.
When confidential data is leaked, it violates fundamental principles of data privacy and security, raising ethical issues about how sensitive information is managed and protected.
Relevant Ethical Reference in Technology:
Privacy Ethics (Warren & Brandeis, 1890) C Defined privacy as "the right to be let alone."
Data Protection Regulations C GDPR (Europe), CCPA (California), and HIPAA (for health data) enforce ethical handling of personal information.
Confidentiality Principle in Cybersecurity C Ensuring only authorized access to sensitive information aligns with professional ethical standards (e.g., ACM Code of Ethics, IEEE Ethics Code).
Ethical Hacking & Incident Handling C Ethical frameworks emphasize preventing breaches that compromise privacy.
Thus, this incident primarily raises concerns about privacy, making option B the correct answer.

Explanation:
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) provides a safe harbor provision for internet service providers (ISPs) and online platforms that host user-generated content.
Why DMCA Applies?
Protects ISPs from liability if their users violate copyright laws, as long as they follow takedown procedures.
Establishes a notice-and-takedown system, allowing copyright holders to request removal of infringing content.
Why Not the Other Options?
B. Copyright Term Extension Act C Extends copyright duration but does not provide ISP protection.
C. Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act C Focuses on music copyright protections, not ISP liability.
D. Leahy-Smith America Invents Act C Governs patent law, not copyright infringement.
Thus, the correct answer is A. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) as it provides safe harbor protections for ISPs.
Reference in Ethics in Technology:
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), 17 U.S.C. § 512.
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) DMCA Guide.
Litman, J. (2001). Digital Copyright: Protecting Intellectual Property on the Internet.

Explanation:
A skewed sample occurs when historical data is biased, unrepresentative, or imbalanced, leading to discriminatory AI outcomes. In this case, the AI system was trained on 20 years of national data, which likely contained historical biases against minorities in drug and alcohol disorder treatments.
Since past law enforcement and healthcare policies have disproportionately impacted minority groups, the AI inherited these biases and began making unfair, discriminatory predictions.
Relevant Ethical Reference in Technology:
Algorithmic Bias & AI Ethics (ACM/IEEE Guidelines) C AI models must be trained on diverse and representative data.
Fairness in Machine Learning (FAT/ML Framework) C Preventing bias in AI requires identifying and correcting skewed data.
Historical Bias & Systemic Discrimination C Training AI on biased past records leads to unethical and discriminatory outcomes.
Deontological Ethics (Fair AI Decision-Making) C AI developers must ensure unbiased, ethical, and fair AI outputs.
Thus, the correct answer is B. Skewed sample, as the AI model was trained on biased historical data, leading to discrimination.