We’ve used Kant’s categorical imperative as one criterion for assessing ethical behavior: Act as if you would have your behavior be a universal law. As a litmus test of this principle, we’ve said that if you’re willing to publish your behavior on Facebook, then your behavior conforms to the categorical imperative.

a. Consider the inverse of that litmus test. Is it true that if you’re not willing to publish your behavior on Facebook, it is unethical? (You might find it easier to consider this question in a different but equivalent form: Your behavior is ethical if and only if you’re willing to publish it on Facebook.)

b. Considering your answer to question

a, if data brokers are unwilling to say what data they are collecting and how they are processing it, is it reasonable to conclude their behavior is unethical? Explain your answer.