Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

Professor Andy Miah, University of the West of ScotlandFellow, Foundation for Art and Creative Technology (FACT), LiverpoolFellow, Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, USA

Pervasive media studio, UWE, bristol, 2010.03.05

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

Deciding what ethical principles should govern the practice of pervasive media design, it is first necessary to understand:

1.how ethical systems operate2.what kind of ethical governance is appropriate to design3.what are the distinct ethical parameters of pervasive media.

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

How do ethical systems operate?

a)Codes of ethicsb)Spheres of moral concern

Are there moral concerns about pervasive media design?

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

Are there moral concerns about design in pervasive media?

a)Direct (physical, psychological)b)Indirect (social, affecting normative expectations)

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

DIRECT HARMS of Design in Pervasive Media

a)Physical (how the device may give rise to injury)b)Psychological (how the device may lead to behavioural tendencies that may be considered detrimental to well-being)

Can designers be held accountable?Eg. repetitive strain injury; addictive tendenciesCould future designs incorporate more risky functions?Eg. swiss army knife with built in gps and phone, or stun device?

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

Product Liability

Defective design: The product is inherently dangerous as a result of poor or inadequate design. Whilst some designs are clearly inadequate others can produce complex and difficult legal argument.

Defective manufacture: This is usually as a result of a quality control failure when a product or batch does not conform to the usual specification. Manufacturers are often strictly liable for product liability as a result of defective manufacture and a consumer may, in certain circumstances, find it unnecessary to prove that they were negligent.

Defective warnings: Are the warnings accurate and up to date and does the product information accurately reflect any dangers or risks associated with the product, or have they been contradicted by statements in advertising or made by sales representatives?

Negligent after sales surveillance: Companies must respond adequately when inherent defects come to light subsequent to sale of the product to warn consumers about the product's lack of safety.

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

INDIRECT HARMS of Design in Pervasive Media

Prescribing range of moral alternatives to end userEg. not being able to reuse mobile phone chargers

Harm arising from movement of informationEg. development of an application that leads to the sale of data to third parties, concerns about surveillance, data-mining, etc.

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

What kind of ethical code should govern designers?

•More like commercial producers or artists?•Where does design take place in the development of pervasive media?•There is no neatly defined ‘designer’ population.•Can regulation learn from other industries, perhaps media?•Perhaps an open source ethics is needed

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

Case Study: eBayfive basic values" of eBay's community:

1.We believe people are basically good2.We believe everyone has something to contribute.3.We believe that an honest, open environment can bring out the best in people.4.We recognize and respect everyone as a unique individual.5.We encourage you to treat others the way that you want to be treated. ("Community values," 1999).

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

How ethical is pervasive media already?Eg. Is Twitter behaving?

Modest scandals include fake hashtags and fake retweets

Larger concerns about hijacking trending tags for unrelated gain eg. HabitatUK in 2009

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

Could the designers of Twitter have avoided this?Could they do something now?

Is the community sufficiently self regulating?

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

Are there distinct ethical parameters of media becoming pervasive?

James Auger & Jimmy Loizeau, Telephone tooth implant

Is pervasive health surveillance likely to overwhelm our personal lives?

How will we be compelled towards the normalization of cybermedical surveillance?

Eg. health credits

Ethical design in pervasive media: Some principles

Conclusion: Some Principles

1.Transparency of contract and forced engagement2.Promotion of ethical culture within user community3.Child restrictions should promote cultural learning4.Promotion of end user responsibility for conduct5.Opt in rather than opt out protocols eg. web tracking6.Respect for privacy of identity (it’s not dying!)