Consider the position of an advertising agency, or social media company that sells your firm advertising.

a. Suppose your company is charged based on the number of ads shown to users and the number of clicks on those ads. Does the advertising agency have an ethical obligation to find out how many of the ads it sells are seen by actual humans—not bots?

b. The advertising agency offers to sell you

“likes” for a new product line you’re launching. It tells you that buying likes is just like hiring actors for a TV commercial. You’re paying them to say they like your product. Is it ethical to buy or sell likes? Consider both the categorical imperative and utilitarian perspectives.