Topic A – The Open Library and Copyright / Topic B – COVID-19 Apps and Privacy

Essay 3 – Specific Topics

Pickoneof the following topics, and write an argumentativeessay ofapproximately1,000words(excluding the bibliography) in response tothe question posed for your chosen topic.Further instructions follow; please ensure you reviewthem before beginning to write.

Topic A – The Open Library and Copyright

The Open Libraryis an initiative by theInternetArchiveto provide a free digital library to theworld. Its collection consists of scanned books thatare available for borrowing for limitedperiods of time, in limited copies. This “controlleddigital lending” model thereby imitates how atraditional library lends physical books. Unlike digitalcollections at traditional libraries, such astheHalifax Public Libraries’ eBooks services, theOpen Library does not enter licensingagreements with publishers. They argue that becausethey use PDF scans of physical booksrather than purely digital and DRM-protected eBookfiles, such licences are not required. Themajor publishing houses disagree, and recently fileda lawsuit alleging that the Open Library is amassive copyright violation scheme:https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/1/21277036/internet-archive-publishers-lawsuit-open-library-ebook-lendingIs the Open Library’s “controlled digital lending”model unethical? Why or why not?

Topic B – COVID-19 Apps and Privacy

One of the most important techniques in containingthe spread of infectious diseases, such asCOVID-19, iscontact tracing. This involves identifyingwho has contracted the disease, andwhom they have had close contact with. To aid in this,governments, Apple, and Googlehaveco-developed contact tracing technology for smartphones.This technology is supposed to tracecontact without storing any identifying informationon device users, as is the case for theCanadian government’s contact tracing app,COVID Alert.However, there remain privacyconcerns about the use of such apps given the possibilitythat the data they collect could beshared with people outside the health system, suchas law enforcement (a concern which wasraised but ultimately dismissedin the UK). Thereare also concerns that contact tracing appscannot be effective without wide adoption, but thepossibility that governments may make theapps mandatory (as has been done inSingapore) raisesfurther privacy worries.

Would it be unethical for a national government tomake the use of contact tracing appsmandatory during the COVID-19 pandemic?Why or whynot?

Topic C – Predictive Policing

For several years now, law enforcement and intelligenceagencies have been experimentingwith new technologies to fight crime and terrorism. One range of technologies, known as“predictive policing,” has been employed by a numberof police departments. Thesetechnologies use models based on neighbourhood crimerates, arrest records, intelligenceinformation, and decisions by police analysts. Thesemodels are used to determine wherecrimes are likely to occur in order to decide whereto send additional patrols, and even to predictwhich individuals are likely to commit crimes. However,the reliability and fairness of thesetechnologies are disputed. A report found that theuse of predictive policing in Pasco County,Florida, led toa rash of police harassmentof residentswhom the computer system incorrectlyflagged as crime risks. Predictive policing systemsare also routinelycriticized for having racistbias“baked in” due to their reliance on raciallybiased historical arrest patterns.Is it unethical for a police department to use predictivepolicing tools? Why or why not?

Further InstructionsTo do well on this assignment, you must:

●Pick an answer to the question.Your essay shouldclearly indicate the position you willbe arguing for in a thesis statement in the introduction.

●Justify your answer withethicalarguments.Your essaymust present a case for whythe answer you picked is correct, rather than simplyasserting that it is. Your answermust take a stand on whether something is unethicalor not; essays that only argue forwhy something is or isn’t legal or prudential willnot receive full marks.

●Applyat leastone ethical theory.Your argumentsmust use at least one ethical theoryto defend your answer to the question. You must brieflyexplain the theory you are using,how it applies to the case at hand, and why it supportsyour answer to the question.

●Use relevant course material.The purpose of thisassignment is to engage significantlywith some of the issues we have discussed in the secondhalf of the course. In additionto using at least one of the ethical theories we discussedin Unit 2, you must useatleastone required reading from Unit 3, 4, or 5.●Considerat leastone objection or alternative perspective.In the course ofpresenting arguments for your answer to the question,you are expected to consideralternative answers or potential criticisms of youranswer. Present and evaluate thearguments that someone defending that alternativeperspective might make. Explain whythose arguments don’t work, or why your position isbetter. Try to respond to the bestpossible arguments for the alternative you consider.

●Spend the majority of your essay developing and evaluatingarguments.Do notspend too many words summarizing the facts of thecase. Briefly introduce the topic, tellthe reader what you are going to argue for, then presentyour arguments and respond toobjections.

●Write in clear, formal English, and present your arguments in an organized way.While the majority of your grade will be determinedby your arguments and responses toobjections, some of your grade is based on the qualityof your writing. Spelling, grammar,and style errors will lower your grade, as will unclearwriting or a structure that is difficultto follow.

●Follow the formatting requirements.To facilitatemarking and aid in mitigatingunconscious bias, please ensure your assignment followsthe specifications in theAssignment Formatting Checklist on Brightspace. Donot include your name anywhereon the assignment—type your Banner number in the headerinstead. Submit yourassignment electronically on Brightspace as a PDF,Word, OpenDocument Text, or RichText file. Each failure to follow formatting requirementswill incur a–0.5% penaltyto yourassignment grade.

●Do not plagiarize or engage in any other form of academicdishonesty.Unless youhave made special arrangements, your work will beanalysed by Urkund to check forinstances of plagiarism. Review the Examples of Plagiarismhandout on Brightspace.Double-check your citations and bibliography to ensurethat you do not accidentallyplagiarise any content. Additionally, collaborationon this assignment is not allowed; thisassignment assesses your individual work. It is yourresponsibility as a student to reviewand ensure that you understand theuniversity’s policieson plagiarism and academicintegrity. Don’t jeopardize your grade or your degree!

Your essay will be graded using theEssay 3 Rubric,which is posted on Brightspace. Pleasefamiliarize yourself with its criteria before youstart to write.

Writing Support

The instructor and TAs are available to consult byemail or audio/video call. We are happy tooffer feedback on ideas and outlines. If time permits,we may be able to offer feedback ondrafts.

Watch the supplemental lectures on essay writing onBrightspace for additional pointers.

If you would like additional examples or walkthroughs,ask the instructor through the WeeklyQuestions surveys.

The University Writing Centre has moved its servicesonline. Visit their website for informationon how they can help you develop your academic writingskills:https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/writing-and-study-skills.html

Other support services are listed in Section B ofthe syllabus.

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Topic A – The Open Library and Copyright / Topic B – COVID-19 Apps and Privacy

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