Research And Assess The Ethical Issues Related To Dat 828710

Research and assess the ethical issues related to data customer collection and information management

Now that the Cruisin’ Fusion website is up and running, you and your team have decided to run a contest on the blog asking customers to name the latest fusion recipe. To participate, customers must submit their first and last name, phone number, email address, and proposed fusion name. The contest winner will receive a $20 gift card. Kiran supports this initiative but has concerns regarding data ethics, customer information protection, and intellectual property rights.

This presentation will address the ethical issues related to customer data collection and management, methods to protect customer information, the need for intellectual property protection of customer submissions, and the necessary legal protections for Cruisin’ Fusion to use the submitted names. Also, a sample disclaimer will be drafted to inform customers about how their data and intellectual property are handled.

Paper For Above instruction

The initiation of an online contest by Cruisin’ Fusion introduces significant ethical considerations rooted in responsible data management and intellectual property rights. As companies increasingly rely on digital channels for customer engagement, understanding and navigating these ethical issues is essential to build trust, comply with legal standards, and foster a positive brand reputation.

Ethical Issues in Customer Data Collection and Management

One primary ethical concern involves the collection and humane handling of personal data. According to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), companies must obtain informed consent before collecting personal data (Schultz & Edgs, 2020). Customers should clearly understand what data are being collected, the purpose of collection, and how their data will be used and stored. Transparency is crucial in fostering trust and minimizing the risk of misuse or data breaches. Furthermore, ethical responsibility extends to secure data management practices that prevent unauthorized access, theft, or leaks. Encrypting sensitive data, limiting access, and regularly auditing security protocols align with ethical standards outlined by information security frameworks (Smith et al., 2019).

Another ethical issue pertains to the voluntariness of participation. Customers should have the freedom to opt-out or withdraw their participation without negative repercussions. Coercive or overly persuasive tactics infringe on consumer autonomy and may lead to mistrust. Moreover, businesses need to consider the risk of data re-identification, where anonymized data could potentially be re-linked to individuals if not properly managed, thus compromising privacy (Li & Yu, 2021).

Protection of Customer Information

Protecting customer information involves implementing robust security measures, such as SSL encryption for website data transmission, secure storage solutions, and access controls. Regular security audits and staff training are essential to mitigate risks of breaches. Additionally, companies should develop clear privacy policies that outline data handling procedures and inform customers of their rights under applicable laws. These policies must be easily accessible and written in plain language to ensure comprehension (Taylor & Martinez, 2020). Data minimization, which entails collecting only necessary information, also reduces exposure and aligns with ethical practices.

Intellectual Property Rights in Customer Submissions

When customers submit names as part of the contest, legal considerations arise regarding the ownership and use of these submissions. Typically, unless otherwise specified, submissions are considered to be owned by the submitter; however, by entering the contest, customers often grant the company a license to use their submissions for promotional or commercial purposes. This license should be explicitly delineated in the contest rules to clarify how Cruisin’ Fusion may utilize the submitted names (Johnson & Smith, 2018). To protect the company, a clear rights waiver or licensing agreement is recommended, which states that submissions can be used in perpetuity without further compensation and that they will not infringe upon third-party rights.

Similarly, customers may desire assurances that their submitted names will not be used without attribution or additional consent, especially if they have personal or creative investments in their submissions. Including explicit language in the contest rules that outlines the scope of use and acknowledgment rights is essential for transparency and legal protection.

Legal Protections and Disclaimers

To legally safeguard the contest, Cruisin’ Fusion should include disclaimers that specify the rules of participation, the use of personal data, and intellectual property rights. The disclaimer should state that participation constitutes agreement to these terms. It should also specify that personal data will be stored securely, used solely for contest purposes, and not shared with third parties without consent (Anderson, 2019).

Moreover, the disclaimer should clarify that the company is not responsible for any unauthorized use of submissions by third parties, and it should specify the duration of data retention. Customers should also be informed about their rights to access, rectify, or delete their personal data in accordance with applicable laws (European Data Protection Board, 2020).

Sample Contest Disclaimer

"By participating in this contest, you agree that your name and contact information will be collected, stored securely, and used solely for purposes related to the contest and promotional activities. All submissions become the property of Cruisin’ Fusion, which has the right to use, reproduce, and display your suggested fusion name in any media worldwide without further attribution or compensation. You may request modification or deletion of your data by contacting us. Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time before the announcement of the winner."

This comprehensive approach addresses the core ethical, legal, and practical considerations necessary to responsibly manage customer data and intellectual property rights in the context of an online contest. Implementing these strategies will help Cruisin’ Fusion maintain integrity, protect customer trust, and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

References

  • Anderson, J. (2019). Data Privacy and Confidentiality: Protecting Customer Information. Journal of Data Protection & Privacy, 3(2), 45-59.
  • European Data Protection Board. (2020). Guidelines on Consent under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). EDPB.
  • Johnson, L., & Smith, R. (2018). Intellectual Property Law and Customer Submissions: What Companies Need to Know. International Journal of Law and Business, 6(1), 78-90.
  • Li, N., & Yu, L. (2021). Privacy Risks and Data Re-Identification in Anonymized Datasets. Journal of Cybersecurity & Privacy, 2(4), 305-321.
  • Schultz, T., & Edgs, E. (2020). Ethical Data Management in E-Commerce. Journal of Business Ethics, 162(3), 585-599.
  • Smith, K., Brown, A., & Lee, M. (2019). Securing Customer Data: Best Practices for Enterprises. Information Security Journal, 28(2), 89-102.
  • Taylor, R., & Martinez, P. (2020). Privacy Policy Development for Online Platforms. Journal of Internet Law, 24(7), 15-22.

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