Abuses over the cyberspace – predominantly infringement of intellectual property, invasion of privacy and ‘widening’ of the digital-divide – proliferate and are hurting more and more people, socially and morally, more deeply and widely. Despite the numerous technical countermeasures, which range from password, firewall, cryptographic algorithms and audit-based techniques, the computer laws and the codes of professional conduct, cyber-citizens are still under threats of risky and liable consequences.Despite expressed desire for a secure, fair, trustworthy and courteous cyberspace, passionate words remain words while positive action is desired but no promised land is to be in sight. I felt exacerbated and wished I could do something about it. Experience tells me that “the more the professionals appreciate the ethical principles the more will their professional practice become morally sound such that people will do the right thing right”; I find my calling: to forward the cause for a safe and peaceful cyberspace, thus the formation of iEthics – The Computer Ethics Society.
iEthics is established as a not-for-profit, non-political and non-discriminatory learned association by a group of eminent ICT professionals for scholars and practitioners in pursuit of Computer Ethics. It is registered in Hong Kong*; however, it envisages itself to be an international centre of excellence for certification and assurance of ethical practice, a centre which all stakeholders will respect, and by which all will be inspired. Hence, the Society dedicates to promote and advance the highest professional and ethical standards by exploring and mapping the existing ethical theories on the contextual phenomena in cyberspace; by developing new theories where gaps are found to exist; and by fostering an open platform for scholars, practitioners and other stakeholders to share and interchange experience and knowledge of moral issues associated with the use and development of ICT-based systems in society, locally and globally, in the form of symposium, international conference, publication, and scholarship (to advance the scholarship of computer ethics for scholars and practitioners), and lecture circuit and open quiz and essay competition (to promote awareness of computer-related moral issues for other stakeholders including school children and the general public).
I welcome anyone, who subscribes to our cause, supports our actions, respect our vision and mission, and abides by our rules and regulations, to join the Society in forwarding this meaningful initiative.
