Rules of a polite tech society

I was inspired by an article written by Nina Molina (such a great name, btw) in the Wall Street Journal titled “Yes, It’s Rude to Use Your Laptop During Meetings—and More Tech Etiquette Rules You Might Be Breaking”. She asks and answers five good etiquette questions all relevant in today’s device-driven society.

• Does sneakily snapping pictures of people’s excellent outfits or adorable pets in public make you a creep?
• Can you exclude Android users from a group chat? 
• Is it rude to type away on a laptop during a group meeting?
• How soon after entering someone’s home can you ask for the Wi-Fi password?
• Is it rude to scroll when you’re FaceTiming?

You can read her answers in the article because, well, I don’t want get busted for using copyrighted material in the WSJ.

I’d also like to add a bunch of my own ethical questions regarding uses of technology to this mix.

Wearing Smart Glasses in Private Spaces: Is it appropriate to wear augmented reality glasses or smart glasses in private settings or gatherings without explicit consent from the hosts or attendees, given the potential for recording or live streaming?

Virtual Backgrounds and Filters in Professional Meetings: To what extent should virtual backgrounds and filters be used in professional video calls? Is it misleading to use a filter that significantly alters your appearance or a background that implies you are in a professional setting when you are not?

Sharing Screenshots of Conversations: What are the ethics around sharing screenshots of private conversations or emails in group chats or on social media, even if the names are blurred out or anonymized?

Autoplay Videos with Sound in Public: Is it considerate to watch videos or listen to audio on public transport or in shared spaces without headphones, given that autoplay features can sometimes catch users off guard?

Using Devices During Live Performances: At what point does recording or taking photos during a concert, play, or live performance detract from the experience of others and disrespect the performers’ wishes?

Smartphone Use in Restaurants: Is it impolite to keep your smartphone on the table and check it intermittently while dining with others, especially if the device is not on silent mode?

Voice Assistants and Privacy in Shared Spaces: How should voice-activated devices be used in shared spaces? Is it an invasion of privacy to use them to send messages or conduct searches when others are within earshot?

Notification Management in Quiet Zones: What is the etiquette for managing notifications on your devices in quiet zones or during meetings? Is it enough to put your phone on silent, or should vibrations be turned off as well?

Public Zoom Calls Without Headphones: Is it rude to participate in video calls in public spaces without using headphones, forcing others to listen to your conversation?

Social Media Tagging Without Consent: What are the implications of tagging people in social media posts or stories without their consent, especially in potentially compromising or unflattering situations?

Fitness Trackers and Personal Boundaries: Is it intrusive to share or compare steps, calories burned, or other personal health data with acquaintances or colleagues without establishing mutual interest in doing so?

Remote Work Surveillance Software: What ethical considerations arise from employers using surveillance software to monitor remote workers? Where is the line between ensuring productivity and invading privacy?

Deepfake Content Creation and Sharing: What are the ethical implications of creating and sharing deepfake videos or images, especially those involving people from your social circles? Where do we draw the line between harmless fun and harmful deception?

Use of AI for Personal Tasks During Work Hours: Is it ethical to use AI tools for personal projects or tasks during work hours, especially if these tools are provided by the employer for work-related purposes?

Crowdfunding Campaigns on Social Media: What responsibilities do individuals have when sharing or promoting personal crowdfunding campaigns on social media? Is it appropriate to ask for financial support from a wide network of casual acquaintances?

Participating in Virtual Reality Meetings with Avatars: How should individuals choose and use avatars in professional virtual reality meetings? Are there unspoken rules about avatar appearance and behavior that should be followed?

Use of Drones in Public or Residential Areas: What are the privacy and safety concerns associated with flying drones in public or residential spaces? How does one balance the hobbyist’s right to explore with the community’s right to privacy?

Smart Home Devices in Shared Accommodations: In shared living situations, how should the use of smart home devices (like smart speakers, security cameras, or thermostats) be negotiated to respect everyone’s privacy and preferences?

Location Tracking Among Friends or Family: Is it ethical to track the location of friends or family members through apps or devices without ongoing consent? What guidelines should govern the use of such technology?

Electronic Payments and Privacy: When splitting bills or sending money electronically, is it impolite to include specific references or comments that could be deemed private or sensitive?

Automated Bots for Online Purchases: Is it fair to use automated bots to purchase limited edition items or tickets, knowing that it diminishes the chances for individuals who are manually trying to buy?

Video Game Stream Sniping: What are the ethical considerations around stream sniping (watching a live broadcast of a game to gain an unfair advantage over the broadcaster in multiplayer games)?

Online Anonymity and Accountability: How should individuals navigate the balance between anonymity and accountability in online discussions, especially in forums or comment sections?

Personal Data Collection by Apps and Services: What ethical concerns arise from the widespread collection of personal data by apps and services, especially when such data is used to personalize marketing efforts or sold to third parties?

Ethics of Content Blocking or Filtering: Is it ethical for individuals to use ad blockers or content filters to avoid seeing certain types of content online, considering the impact on content creators who rely on ad revenue?

These are all questions we are likely to ask ourselves or others at some point. How we answer them varies person-by-person and even situation-by-situation. I know some people who feel one way while at work yet another way about their personal life/info. And isn’t that a bit hypocritical in itself?

So many questions. Technology is supposed to help us answer questions, yet here we are now — all powerful in many ways — with more questions than answers.