106
similar rapid pace to that of innovation in the cloud computing industry.
It is therefore essential that ethics is carefully considered to orient cloud
computing towards the good of society.
Keywords Ethics • Cloud computing • Ethical analysis • Ethics of
technology • Data ownership • Data privacy • Green computing •
Organisational ethics • Personal ethics
6.1
IntroductIon
The many benefits and risks associated with the adoption of cloud computing technology have been widely reported by computer scientists.
However, the same cannot be said in relation to ethical issues associated
with the adoption of this technology: while voices caution that cloud technologies may traverse the boundaries of what is morally desirable for individuals, business, and society, few academics with ethics expertise have
actually analysed the ethical issues associated with cloud computing.
Contributions on ethical concerns connected with this new technology
have been published mainly in computer science journals and have been
discussed at conferences with a similar audience—sometimes privileging
the explanation of technical aspects over the depth of the ethical analysis.
In light of this, the chapter aims to review selected ethical issues related
to cloud computing, arising from the nature and use of the technology
and the way in which the industry is structured, making reference to the
existing literature on the topic. Section 6.2 provides an overview on ethics
and some prominent ethical theories. It establishes the significance of ethical analysis when applied to a particular domain, such as cloud computing.
The section concludes by questioning the depth of ethical analysis conducted in relation to cloud computing. It also details how the remainder
of the chapter is organized, in accordance with recurring themes in existing literature; however, these do not take into explicit consideration particular schools of ethics when describing ethical issues associated with
cloud computing, as the literature to date has failed to do so. Section 6.3
categorizes existing literature specifically related to cloud computing in
accordance with three different and interrelated perspectives: it critically
reviews ethical perspectives related to data, it then examines the ethical
perspectives pertinent to providers of cloud computing services, and it also
explores ethical issues related to the final users of cloud computing
B. MURPHY AND M. ROCCHI
similar rapid pace to that of innovation in the cloud computing industry.
It is therefore essential that ethics is carefully considered to orient cloud
computing towards the good of society.
Keywords Ethics • Cloud computing • Ethical analysis • Ethics of
technology • Data ownership • Data privacy • Green computing •
Organisational ethics • Personal ethics
6.1
IntroductIon
The many benefits and risks associated with the adoption of cloud computing technology have been widely reported by computer scientists.
However, the same cannot be said in relation to ethical issues associated
with the adoption of this technology: while voices caution that cloud technologies may traverse the boundaries of what is morally desirable for individuals, business, and society, few academics with ethics expertise have
actually analysed the ethical issues associated with cloud computing.
Contributions on ethical concerns connected with this new technology
have been published mainly in computer science journals and have been
discussed at conferences with a similar audience—sometimes privileging
the explanation of technical aspects over the depth of the ethical analysis.
In light of this, the chapter aims to review selected ethical issues related
to cloud computing, arising from the nature and use of the technology
and the way in which the industry is structured, making reference to the
existing literature on the topic. Section 6.2 provides an overview on ethics
and some prominent ethical theories. It establishes the significance of ethical analysis when applied to a particular domain, such as cloud computing.
The section concludes by questioning the depth of ethical analysis conducted in relation to cloud computing. It also details how the remainder
of the chapter is organized, in accordance with recurring themes in existing literature; however, these do not take into explicit consideration particular schools of ethics when describing ethical issues associated with
cloud computing, as the literature to date has failed to do so. Section 6.3
categorizes existing literature specifically related to cloud computing in
accordance with three different and interrelated perspectives: it critically
reviews ethical perspectives related to data, it then examines the ethical
perspectives pertinent to providers of cloud computing services, and it also
explores ethical issues related to the final users of cloud computing
B. MURPHY AND M. ROCCHI