This essay was written in response to ethical dilemmas discussed in class and how a code of ethics would apply to the situations

A code of ethics serves as a “moral compass” to help individuals and originations make the right decisions when the correct choice may be ambiguous or difficult. In everyday life, ethics are used in situations as simple as choosing to shop at a store with low prices or at one where its employees have better working conditions. In professional settings it may not be as easy: be first to market with a new app that has glaring security and privacy holes with the intention to patch it later or delay the launch and risk first to market status to fix all the critical security and privacy bugs. As individuals, it’s easy to just say delay, but we also must remember a company exists to make money and has obligations to pay its employees which use their income to support themselves and their families.

In our recent class discussions, we explored a series of compelling ethical dilemmas that underscore the complex interplay between business decisions and ethical considerations. One notable example is Ford's launch of the Pinto in the 1970s, which revealed a stark disregard for safety standards, prioritizing competitiveness in the subcompact car market over consumer safety. Similarly, Volkswagen's decision to modify the software in its cars' Engine Control Units (ECUs) to cheat on emissions tests placed profit above environmental responsibility and public health. In contrast, Amazon's stance on user privacy, requiring a court order before releasing user data to law enforcement, highlighted a commitment to ethical principles in the face of a criminal investigation. In all cases, when reflecting on the decisions made, is very easy to see the obvious right choice, but when “in-the-moment”, the decision is not always so obvious and using the IEEE code of ethics (or similar) helps guide individuals and corporations to make the right decisions.

In the context of the Amazon Echo case study, Amazon exemplified integrity, honesty, and responsibility by insisting on a legal court order before releasing user data to law enforcement. Demonstrating a firm commitment to user privacy, Amazon upheld its privacy agreement, transparently communicating its data use policies to users, and established a legitimate procedure for law enforcement requests, thereby preventing potential misuse. As 'gatekeepers' of critical evidence in a criminal case, Amazon faced considerable pressure from law enforcement to disclose user data. However, by standing firm, Amazon not only protected individual privacy rights but also set a significant precedent, underscoring the importance of balancing law enforcement needs with safeguarding personal privacy. This decision highlighted the critical role of ethical standards in guiding corporate actions, particularly in situations where the implications extend far beyond a single case and touch on broader concerns of privacy and governmental overreach.