Ethics of Information and Communication Technologies

Abstract

Every day more than 250 million Europeans connect to the Internet, to work, learn, communicate, play and socialise. But the digital economy, which has grown rapidly around all those activities, poses new challenges to governments and regulators. Business models are likely to change significantly as Internet access allows consumers to compare goods and prices and to shop across borders. Work and play will also change dramatically, as personal interactions continue to change from word of mouth and personal meetings to include interactions unlimited by place or time. Communication and mechanisms for interacting with others have already changed beyond recognition, and this will almost certainly continue at an accelerating pace. The digital revolution has and will impact on everything people do, from their life choices to their health, their shopping, their education and the way they communicate. Most importantly, national and regional boundaries are becoming, and will continue to become, blurred as a result of the speed and accessibility of new technologies.