Internet ethics often focuses on the proper use of online resources. The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) undertook a broad overview of Internet ethics in 1989, using recommendations from the Network Division Advisory Panel of the National Science Foundation Division of Communications Research and Infrastructure. The purpose of the resulting document was to provide general web ethics guidelines, rather than to provide hard and fast rules about online use. Known as Request for Comments (RFC) 1087, the document is still considered the standard for online ethics questions.
Internet ethics focuses on the proper use of online resources, with the goal of keeping the Internet a safe way to exchange information without compromising users’ privacy.
The main area explored in the RFC 1087 Internet Ethics document is how web resources should be used. The authors were primarily concerned with unauthorized access and misappropriation of Internet resources. The document also contains statements against compromising the privacy of other Internet users. In general, the goals are to maintain the Internet as a way to promote the exchange of information without compromising the integrity of the medium or the privacy of its users.
Internet ethics include posting spoilers about movies that have just been released in theaters.
The results of the RFC 1087 Internet Ethics document were far reaching. Both free and paid email service providers have strict rules on sending spam messages, which are considered a waste of web resources. Additionally, most sites that require users to enter personal data provide registrants with a well-defined privacy policy that outlines what information the site protects and what information is shared with third parties. Sites that violate online ethics policy are often publicly called to action.
Global networks make it nearly impossible to create consistent repercussions for violating established Internet ethics, so users are encouraged to take responsibility for monitoring the websites they visit for compliance. In some countries, users can report violations to an appropriate government agency, which is then tasked with prosecuting and prosecuting the perpetrators. For example, in the United States, the federal government has created several agencies, such as the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC), to deal with Internet ethics violations. In certain cases, such as widespread online piracy, government organizations with extradition agreements will work together to terminate and prosecute offenders.
There are some critics of government interference in Internet ethics issues. These people believe that the control of Internet ethics should be left primarily to individual responsibility and community policing. The fear of many of these critics is that creating online ethics enforcement mechanisms would be prohibitively expensive and would restrict the flow of information between users.
