Introduction

In commercial contexts, ethics and lawtwo separate ideasare frequently confused. Law is a set of laws and regulations that the state enforces, whereas ethics are ideas or ideals that serve as a guide for action. The idea of corporations assuming accountability for their effects on society and the environment is known as corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Analysis

Mountain Top View has undergone a data breach in this instance, which poses moral and legal concerns. The moral question is whether it is the company's duty to notify consumers whose information has been obtained. If any laws, including those governing data privacy or security, were broken as a result of the breach, it would be a legal concern.

In this case, the corporation, its clients, and any regulatory agencies in charge of upholding data security and privacy rules are all significant stakeholders. The consequences of the breach may include harm to the business's reputation, a loss of consumer confidence, and legal repercussions.

Recommendation

Our recommendation is that Mountain Top View has a moral and legal duty to notify clients whose information was compromised. Refusing to disclose information to clients that could have an impact on their security and privacy is unethical. Also, a number of data privacy and security legislation, like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), mandate that organizations inform anyone affected by a breach.

We advise Mountain Top View to implement a decision-making framework for ethical issues in order to prevent such moral conundrums in the future. Because it takes into account the effects of a decision and seeks to optimize overall well-being, the utilitarian framework is a wise choice. Mountain Top View may make more moral and responsible judgments if it takes into account how choices may affect all parties involved, including clients, staff members, and the business overall.

Framework or Ethics Test

As a moral yardstick or guideline for employees, we advise utilizing the utilitarian framework. The utilitarian framework aims to maximize general well-being while taking into account how decisions will affect each stakeholder. The capacity to take into account how decisions will affect each stakeholder, the emphasis on total wellbeing, and the adaptability to various circumstances are some of its benefits. It could defend activities that violate people's rights or fail to take the long view, among other possible drawbacks.

Because it highlights the value of taking into account how decisions will affect all stakeholders, including clients, staff, and the business as a whole, Mountain Top View is a good fit for the utilitarian framework. Employees may make more moral and responsible judgments by applying this paradigm, even when there may be conflicts of interest.

To illustrate how Steve would have utilized the utilitarian framework to direct his decision-making and actions in the hypothetical data breach situation, examine the possible repercussions of not telling consumers of the incident. Customers' confidence might be lost, the company's brand could be harmed, and there may be legal repercussions if consumers are not informed. By educating customers, Mountain Top View can uphold its reputation and safeguard the privacy and security of its clients, thereby maximizing general wellbeing.

Conclusion

In today's commercial environment, technological advancements have both legal and ethical ramifications. Businesses must be mindful of possible ethical difficulties, such as data privacy and security, as technology develops and take precautions to reduce these risks. In order to avoid fines and safeguard the security and privacy of their consumers, firms must also assure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Select a test or framework for all employees in this company to use based on the information above Demonstrate how it can be used when faced with an ethical dilemma.

1. Test or framework
   1. Select a test or framework option from among those described in the textbook.
   2. Name the option you selected and describe the test or framework, including its advantages and potential shortcomings.
   3. Explain why the test or framework that you selected is appropriate for this company; justify your selection.
2. Apply the test or framework to the scenario to demonstrate how Steve could have used it to guide his decision making and actions.