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ethiCs GuiDe Free Apps for Data 177

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DisCussion Questions

1. Consider the decision to create a free application de- c. Does Google provide free apps in exchange for indi-
signed to harvest individual data. vidual data? Why?
a. Is this decision ethical according to the categorical 3. How hard should Google work at curating apps in Google
imperative (pages 56–57)? Play to ensure that appropriate permissions are set?
b. Is this decision ethical according to the utilitarian 4. In 2014, Symantec found that 17 percent of all Android
35
perspective (pages 92–93)? apps were malware in disguise. But a report by Google
c. How would users react if they knew their data was found that less than 1 percent of all Android devices had
being harvested in exchange for a free app? a potentially harmful application installed. 36
2. Suppose Google becomes aware that apps in the Google a. Is it ethical for Google to remove applications it con-
Play store are harvesting user data unrelated to the siders inappropriate? Consider both the categorical
function of the application. imperative and utilitarian perspectives.
a. Does it have a legal obligation to find out which apps b. Is it ethical for Google to limit permissions for certain
are harvesting data inappropriately? applications? Consider both the categorical impera-
b. Does it have an ethical obligation to find out which tive and utilitarian perspectives.
apps are harvesting data inappropriately?