For each scenario, rate it on the scale (circle one number) and explain your reasoning. There is no single right answer — your reasoning matters most.
| Scenario | Ethical scale 1 = Very unethical → 5 = Very ethical | Explain your reasoning in one sentence |
|---|---|---|
| A hospital shares patient data (anonymized) with university researchers to find a cure for cancer. | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| A school app tracks how long each student spends on every assignment and shares this with parents only. | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| A company uses AI to screen job applications and the AI was trained only on resumes from the last 20 years (when most applicants were men). | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| A weather app collects your location data to give you accurate local forecasts, but also uses it to sell targeted ads. | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| A social media platform lets users delete their account, but keeps all their data for another 5 years. | 1 2 3 4 5 |
For each case, read carefully and answer ALL questions. Use evidence from the scenario in your answers.
1a. Name ONE benefit and ONE harm of this data practice:
Benefit:
Harm:
1b. Is clicking "I Agree" on the Terms of Service real informed consent? Explain.
1c. Who is most harmed by this system? Is that fair?
2a. Explain the bias cycle in your own words:
2b. If the algorithm is just using math and data, can it still be unfair? Explain.
2c. What data would you need to train a fairer algorithm? Is that data easy to collect?
3a. Were the ethics principles of consent and transparency followed? Why or why not?
3b. List two ways constant surveillance might change how students behave or feel at school:
1.
2.
3c. Should students have a say in surveillance of their own school? Write 2–3 sentences defending your position.
1. In your own words, explain the difference between something being legal and something being ethical. Use an example from this session.
2. Who do you think is most responsible for making sure data is used ethically — the government (through laws), companies (through policies), or individual users (through choices)? Explain.
Complete this sentence to make your personal data ethics commitment:
"As a data citizen, I will always ask...
"...and I will never use data to...
Pick one app or website you use regularly. Read (or look up) its privacy policy and answer the following.
My overall ethical rating of this app's data practices (circle): Very ethical Somewhat ethical Unsure Somewhat unethical Very unethical
Why: