In 2015, Microsoft released its latest operating system, Windows 10. Among the many changes which were made to the product included several changes to Microsoft’s security policy that made many users annoyed. Microsoft products take into account over 60% of most desktop computer systems, as well as a huge share of portable computers and other processing devices.
This creates billions of potential stakeholders, which may be unknowingly posting their information with Microsoft. Microsoft itself is a stakeholder, as it may face potential backlash from upset customers or businesses. Additionally, any business that Microsoft gives customers’ information to can also be considered a stakeholder in this case.
Individualism claims that the only obligation a business has is to maximize profits for the dog owner or the stockholders of the business. From an individualist standpoint, there is certainly nothing morally incorrect with the true way that Microsoft has to create its security guidelines. By keeping millions of users’ data stored, Microsoft might be able to sell that data to advertisers that would be interested on many peoples’ habits.
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There are most likely companies who are willing to give Microsoft a lot of money for access to that data. An individualist would say that if Microsoft could make a benefit from collecting and offering users’ information, then they should. The main element belief of utilitarianism is that a business should concentrate on doing the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. From a utilitarian standpoint, Microsoft has been deceptive to its an incredible number of customers. By hiding a clause in its end-user permit agreement that allows the business to store and distribute information about its users without them knowing, Microsoft has created a breach of trust that those customers could have got in the business.
Selling its users’ information would be unethical through a utilitarian view, and the ultimate way to take care of the presssing issue would be to remove that part from the permit agreement, and stop collecting information from users unless they consent to it. A Kantian standpoint is a company should do whatever they can to produce a revenue, so long as they may be legitimately doing this fairly and. As Microsoft’s case goes far, a Kantian would have no problem with the fact that Microsoft is collecting its users’ data, as there is certainly nothing legitimately or wrong in doing this morally. However, a concern would be had with just how that Microsoft does the collecting.
The reality that the business was collecting its customers’ data was held secret, and would not have been found out unless someone had carefully read the entirety of the end-user license agreement. Microsoft had not told their customers that they might be collecting the data, so viewing from a Kantian lens, it would be unfair to gather and distribute their clients’ information without their knowledge and consent.
Virtue theory focuses on the individual or company’s moral character. The primary question that virtue theory asks us is the right thing to do in this situation “what?” (Powerpoint 5, Salazar). While developing Windows 10, chances are that there was discussion among the business regarding whether or not they should collect users’ data and information.