New information technology reshapes society by creating ripple effects across ethics, social norms, and political systems, often in ways that are neither anticipated nor easily controlled.
Which of the following statement best describes the effect of new information technology on society?
New information technology triggers a ripple effect, generating unexpected ethical dilemmas, shifting social behaviors, and altering political power structures in ways that are often difficult to predict or regulate.
These effects aren’t just technical upgrades—they change how we communicate, work, and even think. Social media algorithms didn’t just connect people; they’ve reshaped public discourse and influenced elections. Governments and institutions often scramble to catch up, leading to new laws that attempt to rein in unintended consequences. As of 2026, debates over AI governance and digital privacy continue to dominate policy discussions, proving that technology’s societal impact is both profound and ongoing.
Which of the following best describes how new information systems can result in legal changes?
New information systems create legal gray areas by outpacing existing laws, forcing courts and lawmakers to interpret outdated regulations in rapidly evolving digital contexts.
Consider how ride-sharing apps like Uber disrupted taxi regulations, or how generative AI tools have forced revisions to intellectual property laws. These systems don’t just follow the law—they expose gaps that require new legislation or court rulings. Deepfake technology, for example, has pushed states to draft laws specifically addressing digital impersonation. As of 2026, over 40 U.S. states have enacted or proposed laws targeting AI-generated misinformation, showing how legal systems are playing catch-up with technological change.
Is the use of computers to assemble data from different sources to create digital dossiers of detailed information on individuals?
The use of computers to combine data from multiple sources and create electronic dossiers of detailed information on individuals is called profiling.
Profiling isn’t just about marketing—it’s used in hiring, lending, and even law enforcement. Companies like Clearview AI have faced scrutiny for scraping social media to build facial recognition databases without consent. As of 2026, the EU’s AI Act and U.S. state privacy laws like California’s CPRA impose strict limits on automated profiling, requiring companies to disclose how they collect and use personal data. If you’ve ever received eerily personalized ads after a single Google search, you’ve experienced profiling in action.
Which ethical rule states that if an action cannot be taken repeatedly?
Descartes’ rule of change states that if an action cannot be taken repeatedly without leading to a contradiction or societal breakdown, then it should not be taken at any time.
This principle is closely tied to Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative: “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.” For example, lying can’t be a universal rule because society would collapse if everyone lied all the time. In tech ethics, this rule is often invoked to argue against practices like mass surveillance, which, if applied universally, would erode trust in institutions entirely. Think of it as the “slippery slope” test: if everyone did this action all the time, would the world still function?
How has modern information technology affected society?
Modern information technology has affected society by transforming economic productivity, redefining intellectual property rights, altering privacy norms, and changing how people access and share information.
These changes aren’t superficial—they’ve redefined entire industries. Remote work, once a luxury, became standard for many during the 2020s and remains common in 2026. E-commerce now accounts for over 20% of global retail sales, up from 14% in 2019. Meanwhile, concerns over data privacy have led to laws like GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California, giving users more control over their digital footprints. Yet, these benefits come with trade-offs: misinformation spreads faster than ever, and digital divides persist between those with and without reliable internet access.
Which one of the following statements best describes an information system?
An information system consists of hardware, software, data, people, and procedures that work together to collect, process, store, and distribute information.
It’s not just about the tech—it’s about how people use that tech to achieve goals. For example, a hospital’s patient management system includes not only computers and software but also the nurses, doctors, and protocols for entering and retrieving patient data. As of 2026, organizations are increasingly integrating AI into these systems to automate routine tasks, like flagging abnormal lab results, but the core components (people and procedures) remain essential for making sense of the data.
Which of the following best describes the primary reason for implementing a new information system?
The primary reason for implementing a new information system is to create new value for the firm by improving efficiency, enabling innovation, or opening new revenue streams—all while outweighing the system’s costs.
Businesses don’t adopt new tech just for the sake of it—they do it to solve problems or seize opportunities. A retail chain might implement an AI-powered inventory system to reduce waste and improve sales, or a bank might use blockchain to streamline cross-border transactions. As of 2026, the ROI on digital transformation projects is closely tied to their ability to integrate with existing systems and adapt to future needs. According to McKinsey, companies that prioritize scalable tech implementations see 1.5x higher returns than those that treat it as a one-off upgrade.
Is due process a feature of law-governed society?
Due process is a feature of law-governed societies, ensuring laws are known, understood, and applied fairly, with mechanisms for appeal to higher authorities.
Due process isn’t just a legal concept—it’s a cornerstone of democratic societies. It protects individuals from arbitrary actions by the government or other powerful entities. For example, before a company can terminate an employee for misconduct, it often must follow due process, such as investigating the claim and giving the employee a chance to respond. As of 2026, debates over due process in digital spaces (like social media deplatforming) highlight how traditional legal concepts are being adapted to new contexts. The principle ensures that power isn’t wielded without accountability.
Which of the following is an example of a divisionalized bureaucracy?
A divisionalized bureaucracy is exemplified by a Fortune 500 firm organized into semi-autonomous divisions based on products, regions, or customer segments.
Think of General Electric, which historically operated divisions like aviation, healthcare, and power. Each division acts like its own company, with its own leadership and goals, but shares corporate resources like branding and finance. This structure allows large organizations to adapt quickly to changes in specific markets while maintaining economies of scale. As of 2026, many tech giants like Alphabet and Amazon have adopted hybrid models, combining divisional structures with agile teams to balance innovation and efficiency.
Which of the following is a leading networking hardware provider?
Cisco is a leading networking hardware provider, supplying routers, switches, and other infrastructure critical for internet connectivity and corporate networks.
Cisco’s dominance in this space dates back to the 1990s, when it became the backbone of the early internet. As of 2026, the company still holds about 50% of the enterprise networking market, according to IDC. Competitors like Juniper Networks and Huawei focus on niche segments, but Cisco’s broad portfolio—spanning from data centers to IoT—keeps it at the top. Its certification programs (like CCNA) are also industry standards for IT professionals.
Is putting yourself into the place of others and thinking of yourself as the object of the decision?
Putting yourself into the place of others and imagining yourself as the object of a decision is a practical application of the Golden Rule, often linked to Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative.
This mental exercise forces you to consider whether a rule or action could be universally applied without causing harm. For example, before implementing a new data collection policy, ask: “What if every company did this to their customers?” If the result is a loss of trust or autonomy, the policy likely violates ethical principles. As of 2026, tech companies are increasingly using this framework to design AI systems, ensuring they’re fair and inclusive. It’s a way to humanize algorithmic decision-making.
Which of the following is the world’s largest collector of online user data?
As of 2026, Google remains the world’s largest collector of online user data, thanks to its dominance in search, advertising, and mobile operating systems.
Google’s data collection spans everything from search queries and YouTube views to location history and email content. While competitors like Meta (Facebook) and Amazon also aggregate vast amounts of user data, Google’s ecosystem—spanning Chrome, Android, and Google Cloud—gives it unmatched reach. As of 2026, Google processes over 8.5 billion searches daily and serves ads to over 2 million websites, making it the de facto collector and arbiter of online attention. Regulators continue to scrutinize its data practices, but its scale remains unmatched.
What is Descartes’ rule of change in ethics?
Descartes’ rule of change, also known as the “slippery slope” argument, states that if an action cannot be taken repeatedly without leading to undesirable consequences, then it should not be taken at all.
This principle is a cornerstone of ethical decision-making in tech. Consider a social media platform that starts by allowing targeted political ads. If every platform did this repeatedly, public discourse could become saturated with microtargeted misinformation, eroding democratic norms. As of 2026, Descartes’ rule is often cited in debates over AI ethics, where small, incremental deployments of unchecked algorithms could lead to large-scale societal harm. It’s a way to ask: “Where does this path end?”
Which of the following best describes Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative?
Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative argues that you should act only according to principles that could be universal laws—meaning, if everyone did it, it wouldn’t lead to a contradiction or harm.
Kant’s philosophy is a go-to framework for evaluating tech ethics. For instance, if a company considers deploying facial recognition in all its stores without consent, it should ask: “What if every retailer did this?” The likely result—a surveillance state where privacy is nonexistent—violates the categorical imperative. As of 2026, this principle is used to critique practices like dark patterns in UX design, where companies manipulate users into actions they wouldn’t otherwise take. It’s about treating people as ends in themselves, not as tools.
What kind of moral theory is utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism is a moral theory that judges actions based on their outcomes, aiming to maximize happiness or well-being while minimizing suffering for the greatest number of people.
Unlike Kantian ethics, which focuses on rules, utilitarianism is pragmatic. A tech company might justify collecting user data if the benefits (like personalized healthcare recommendations) outweigh the risks (like privacy breaches). As of 2026, utilitarianism is often invoked in debates over AI governance, where decisions about automated systems are weighed against their societal impact. Critics argue it can justify harmful actions if the “greater good” is served, but proponents counter that it’s the most practical way to evaluate policy. It’s the “ends justify the means” approach to ethics.
Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
