assistance with the questions in bold at bottom

Ethics Prompt: Wonky Leaks 3.0

Taylor works for a Fossil Futures, Inc., a company that provides administrative support to various companies in the coal and oil industries. These companies promote use of coal- and oil-based energy, actively lobby against solar energy and electric cars and support a lobbying firm that was recently characterized by NPR as "climate change deniers." As a database administrator, Taylor has access to the entire portfolio of data that Fossil Futures administers for its customers. When Taylor started working at Fossil Futures, and as a condition of employment, Taylor signed a nondisclosure agreement promising to safeguard the confidentiality of the information of Fossil Futures and its customers. This confidential information includes not only business plans, strategies and financial information but also medical insurance claims and retirement plan information about Fossil Fuels and its employees. In addition, Taylor signed the Fossil Futures Code of Conduct in which Taylor agreed to adhere to the strictest standards of confidentiality with respect to Fossil Fuel records and data, and to comply with all applicable laws. Taylor is new to the job, doesn't really like it and is actively applying for other jobs. In addition, Taylor is strongly opposed to the "anti-green" objectives of Fossil Futures. Finally, Taylor doesn't like their manager at Fossil Futures who has demanded excessive overtime while providing no guidance and support. Taylor has a friend named Lane who belongs to the Wonky Leaks Collective, ("Wonky"), which seeks to leak confidential data of "evil" companies in an effort to disrupt their operations and punish them for their wrongdoing. Lane approaches Taylor and said, "Taylor, we have learned that Fossil Futures has records of business plans, strategies, e-mails and other records of a large number of climate change-denying companies that, for the good of the planet, need to be disrupted or better yet, stopped." Lane went on: "These companies have an aggressive anti-environment agenda that is just plain wrong and Taylor--you know this is true."

Then Lane got to the point and said, "Taylor, we want you to give us back-door access to Fossil Futures network because we want leak the records of Fossil Futures and its customers. Look, Taylor, if Wonky can leak data and other confidential records of Fossil Fuels and its customers it will be a huge win for the environment. They will be so distracted in dealing with the leaks that that won't be able to advance their evil mission." Lane continued: "And besides, Taylor, it's likely that when all those records are released that something unfavorable just has to come out about Fossil Futures or one of its customers." On the one hand Taylor agreed with everything Lane said about Fossil Futures and its customers: they were probably that most anti-green force on the planet. On the other hand, Taylor thought of the nondisclosure agreement and Code of Conduct they had signed. Taylor also knew that it was illegal to help with a data breach and could face jail time for causing a data breachwhich could ruin Taylor's career. Finally, Taylor knows that because of the way the data was structured, if there was a breach confidential medical and retirement records of Fossil Future employees and their customers would be breached. Any breach would disclose highly sensitive medical information including mental health treatment, information about people who conditions such as cancer and heart disease and those seeking gender re-assignment. So when Taylor said "No, I can't do this," Lane responded by saying that "Taylor, we have the technology to make this totally anonymous: it's highly unlikely you will be identified as being involved. In addition, Wonky can pay you $10,000 if you help us with the breach." Taylor starts having second thoughts about helping with the breach. After all, Taylor needs about $10,000 to pay for medical treatment for their child who is suffering from a lung condition that is suspected to be caused by pollution from fossil fuels.

1. "Identify and list the multiple alternatives available to Taylor;"

2. "List who are the (multiple) stakeholders who are impacted by Taylor's decision?"

3. "Evaluate the alternatives you identified in item 1 in light of the three schools of ethical thinking covered in our materials: (a) moral rights and duties, (b) justice, and (c) utilitarianism; and"

4. "Which alternative should Taylor choose? Please be sure to support your recommendation with an analysis of the ethics described in your response to part 3."