Privacy and Ethical Considerations for the Use of Evolving Technology within Government

As technology evolves, we continuously integrate it into various aspects of our lives, from personal assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Home to drones, AI, and virtual reality. These technologies offer convenience and efficiency, making them attractive investments across industries. Today, it's rare to find someone without a smartphone, while traditional home phones have become almost obsolete. However, the rapid evolution of technology often outpaces our laws and ethical considerations, raising significant concerns about its use.

At all levels of government, from federal to local, technology has been integrated to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Yet, many of these technologies were initially developed for the private sector, leading to potential issues and abuses when adapted for public use. For instance, in cities like New Orleans, city-wide surveillance aims to enhance public safety. But what happens when a private company managing this surveillance implements an algorithm to predict crime? This raises critical questions about privacy, access to technology, and the data being collected. When federal agencies use private databases like Salesforce for controversial activities, it prompts us to consider who oversees these technologies and establishes ethical standards for their use.

Consent and transparency are also major concerns. Do visitors to New Orleans consent to being surveilled? Does it matter if they are accused of a crime based on predictive algorithms? These scenarios, which may seem like science fiction, are becoming our reality.

Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive laws governing the ethical use of technology by government agencies. This new and uncharted territory requires ongoing discussions about privacy, ethics, and the limitations of private companies contracted by the government. In our pursuit of technological advancement, we must prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities.

Current Issues and Considerations

Several privacy issues related to technology and government use require our attention:

• Search Engine Privacy: Should the government have the authority to subpoena your search history from Google or Yahoo? What about during a lawsuit?

• NSA Surveillance: Should the NSA be allowed to track your cell phone location for two years? If so, should this information be accessible to the public?

• Dynamic Pricing: Should personal information be used to determine the prices you see online? Some companies already use AI for this, raising concerns about discrimination based on race or gender.

• Drone Surveillance: Should companies like Google, which use drones for deliveries, be subject to the Freedom of Information Act? With extensive mapping capabilities, shouldn't the public have access to recorded data?

• DNA Collection: Should police be able to collect DNA from trash and compare it against open-source DNA websites to solve crimes? The case of the Golden State Killer highlights the ethical dilemmas of using such methods.

These examples illustrate the pressing need for clear laws and ethical guidelines. Government agencies might lack the expertise to fully understand the ethical implications of the technologies they deploy, leading to potential abuses and erosion of freedoms.

The Need for Ethical Conversations

Ethical discussions about technology are rare within tech companies. Salesforce was a pioneer in hiring an ethics officer, and Google followed with a focus on AI ethics. However, ethical considerations should extend beyond AI. Many current ethical issues arise from private companies not factoring in ethics during technology development. Implicit biases of technologists can seep into their creations, leading to unintended negative consequences.

As technology moves into the public sector, we must assume the best intentions while preparing for the worst outcomes. For example, when New Orleans adopted surveillance technology, the intention was to support police work. However, the contracted company, Palantir, used the technology to predict crimes, raising privacy concerns. Both the government and private companies should consider the broader implications of their technological initiatives.

Actions to Take

To address these issues, we need to:

• Increase Awareness: Educate ourselves about how technology infringes on our rights and advocate for change.

• Demand Transparency: Government agencies should be transparent about the technologies they use and how they are implemented.

• Foster Community Dialogue: Encourage community discussions about the impact of technology on our lives, similar to public meetings about parks, schools, and voting.

• Consider Ethical Implications: Always evaluate technology from a perspective of potential discrimination or misuse.

By involving the community in these conversations, we can ensure that technology serves us, not the other way around. We must collectively address privacy and ethical concerns to create a future where technology enhances our lives without compromising our values and freedoms.

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