Sample by My Essay Writer
Various telephone technological advancements have added to the already vast array of ethical issues that society struggles with every day. To better guide the actions of the populace, government and other institutions have set out guidelines that help address gray areas in people’s dealings with technology and the temptations many people feel towards unethical treatment of telephone advancements. While advancements have taken shape in many forms of technology, this paper will focus on the issues arising from the advancement of telephone technology. This will provide a more focused essay – naming a few random advancements in technology wouldn’t do justice to its vastness. I will discuss two main acts that were set in place due to telephone technology advancements: the Do Not Call Implementation Act and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. These documents aim to provide protection to the public from unethical abuse of technology.
The Do Not Call Implementation Act was set out in 2003 as a guideline to which people can be protected from organizations looking for either money or participation of another kind – such as a survey – from the general public. These organizations, which are still in existence, call people who are listed in the phonebook or who are on another list. Advances in technology have fueled the ability for companies to solicit to a large audience without the dedication of a lot of time and money. The act now provides protection to people not wanting to be solicited. Each of these people can now add their name to a do-not-call list. A company calls anyone who is on the list is subject to a fine. The act states that the money collected from the fines will be dedicated to paying for the do-not-call registry (The United States, 2003).
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, set out in 1991, amends the Communications Act that was initiated in 1934. This act governs the conduct of telephone solicitation, restricting the use of automatic dialing systems. So while the Do Not Call Implementation Act allows people complete protection from solicitation, this 1991 document helps control the very technology in which organizations are allowed to use. This technology includes automatic dialing systems, SMS text messages and artificial or prerecorded voice messages. Three of the rules include: the solicitor can’t call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., and the name of the solicitor and the name of who the person represents must be disclosed. Contact information must also be provided (Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 1991).
As the reader can see in this essay, telephone technology advancements have given companies options when trying to market themselves. However, the advancements – though many wouldn’t call them that – provide room for the abuse of these services. Without a government to execute criminally enforceable legislation, people are at risk of being taken advantage of for the profits of various organizations. The reader can assume that telephone technology advancements will continue and, as it does, further legislation will need to be put into place so individuals that make up society are allowed to live without being harassed by organizations that don’t have the public’s best interest at heart.
References List
The United States Government. (2003). Congressional Record Vol. 149 (Public Law 108-10)
Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (1991) Restrictions on the use of Telephone Equipment
(Sec. 227)
