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From daemons that conceal themselves, to apps which lie to us, every day you're impacted by software with dishonest intentions. No one starts their career building dishonest tools, but over time, the norms & incentives in specific industries (ex: infosec, advertising) can compromise the ethics of even the most principled developer. In this talk we will... Define dishonest software using examples & counter-examples Arm you with compelling arguments to convince product leadership to build ethical software Explore how engineers can advocate for the data privacy rights of others
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The video, **"Dishonest Software: Fighting Back Against the Industry Norms,"** presents an insightful talk by Jason Meller at RubyConf 2021, focusing on the ethical implications of software development and the pervasive issue of dishonest software in various industries. Meller emphasizes that while many developers enter the field with good intentions, they often find themselves contributing to dishonest practices due to prevailing industry norms and incentives. **Key Points Discussed:** - **Definition of Dishonest Software:** Meller differentiates between dishonest and merely legal software, underscoring that legality does not equate to ethicality. - **Personal Story:** He shares a personal anecdote from his time at General Electric, where his team mistakenly deleted a contractor's personal photos, believing them to be part of a cybersecurity threat. This incident highlighted the potential harm of unexamined practices in the name of security. - **Advanced Persistent Threats (APT):** Meller explains the concept of APT, particularly in the context of cyber espionage, detailing how attackers gather intelligence from a company like GE involved in defense contracts. - **Legal Oversight:** He discusses the Electronic Communication Privacy Act, which allows companies significant rights to monitor employees. He notes that such practices can be rationalized under the guise of protecting national security, but can lead to unethical outcomes. - **Informed Consent:** Meller advocates for transparency and informed consent within software design, suggesting that if a software’s function would break with full disclosure, it is inherently dishonest. - **Industry Examples:** He provides a real-world example involving a company called FullStory, which faced backlash for not adequately informing users about being tracked, leading to legal consequences. - **Advocacy for Ethical Practices:** Meller encourages engineers to leverage their skills to foster a culture of honesty and accountability in software design, stating that doing so can become a competitive advantage in the market. **Conclusions and Takeaways:** - Developers possess the ability to enact meaningful change within their organizations by prioritizing honesty over compliance. - Organizations should strive for a culture of transparency, enabling better relationships with users and clients. - It is crucial for developers to recognize the ethical dimensions of their work and act as advocates for privacy rights. Meller's talk underlines the importance of being vigilant and ethical in software development, urging attendees to reflect on their practices and the potential impact of their work on both users and society at large.
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