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WGU Ethics-In-Technology Exam Questions
WGU Ethics In Technology QCO1 (Page 6 )

Updated On: 28-Feb-2026
Page 3 of 15
PDF with 66 Questions

A chief financial officer (CFO) at a major telecommunications company decides to replace a high number of its customer-facing stores with artificial intelligence-enabled telecom booths. The telecom booths will enable current or new subscribers to buy or replace SIM cards or mobile phones on the go. The CFO is concerned about a major reduction in the workforce but believes this move will help grow the company's subscriber base, reduce customer churn, and increase overall company profits.

Which ethical theory does this approach represent?

  1. Deontology
  2. Care
  3. Consequentialism
  4. Virtue

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Consequentialism is an ethical theory that determines the morality of an action based on its outcomes or consequences rather than intrinsic moral duties or virtues. In this case, the CFO's decision is driven by anticipated business benefits--expanding the subscriber base, reducing customer churn, and increasing profits--while acknowledging the negative consequence of job losses.

This decision aligns with utilitarian consequentialism, which weighs overall benefits against harm and justifies actions that lead to the greatest good for the greatest number.
While the workforce reduction is a significant ethical concern, the CFO believes that the positive business impact outweighs the negative effects.

Relevant Ethical Reference in Technology:

Utilitarian Ethics (John Stuart Mill, Jeremy Bentham) ­ Prioritizing company growth and customer convenience over job losses reflects a utilitarian cost-benefit analysis.

Automation and AI Ethics ­ The ethical implications of replacing human jobs with AI are widely debated in the context of digital ethics and corporate responsibility.

Corporate Stakeholder Ethics ­ Ethical business practices should balance the needs of employees, customers, and shareholders rather than focusing solely on financial outcomes.

Future of Work Ethics ­ Ethical discussions in AI-driven automation stress responsible innovation, retraining displaced workers, and ensuring economic fairness.

Since the CFO is primarily weighing outcomes, this decision-making process reflects consequentialist ethics rather than deontology (duty-based), virtue (moral character), or care ethics (relationship- driven concerns).



How can organizations differentiate between ethical decision-making and legal decision-making frameworks?

  1. Legal decision-making frameworks provide a complete guide to ethical decision-making but go beyond to encompass decision-making tools to employ in situations where the ethical code is not clearly defined or easily applied.
  2. Ethical decision-making frameworks help an organization uphold a code of behavior generally agreed upon by the members of the larger society which the organization operates in. Legal decision- making frameworks help an organization to navigate a set of rules that convey what people can and cannot do.
  3. Ethical decision-making frameworks help an organization navigate a set of rules that convey what people can and cannot do. Legal decisionmaking frameworks help an organization uphold a code of behavior generally agreed upon by members of the larger society which the organization operates in.
  4. Ethical decision-making frameworks provide a complete guide to legal decision-making but go beyond to encompass decision-making tools to employ in situations where the law is not clearly defined or easily applied.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Organizations must understand the distinction between ethical and legal decision-making frameworks to ensure responsible governance.

Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks:

Guide organizations in upholding moral standards and values.

Help navigate moral dilemmas where laws may not provide clear guidance.

Are based on societal values and professional codes of ethics (e.g., ACM Code of Ethics, IEEE Code of

Conduct).

Legal Decision-Making Frameworks:

Provide a set of enforceable rules that dictate what is permissible and impermissible.

Help organizations comply with laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, and consumer protection laws).

Ensure legal liability is minimized.

Why Not the Other Options?

A & D: These options incorrectly suggest that legal and ethical frameworks are comprehensive guides for each other, which is false. Ethics go beyond legal rules, and legal decisions do not always ensure ethical behavior.

C: This reverses the correct roles of ethical and legal frameworks.

Thus, the best answer is B, as it correctly distinguishes the role of ethics and law in decision-making.

Reference in Ethics in Technology:

Moor, J. (1985). "What is Computer Ethics?" Metaphilosophy, 16(4), 266-275.

Floridi, L. (2013). The Ethics of Information. Oxford University Press.

IEEE Code of Ethics (2020).

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (2018).



A company is bidding on a website project for a prospective client. The company knows that the client is going to weigh the time to deliver the project as one of its primary decision factors. The client has advised all bidders that completion time should be no more than three months with a budget of S50.000.

The company knows that with its current resourcing, it cannot complete the project in less than four months. However, it is confident that it will be able to deliver within four months to a high-quality standard and 20% under the set budget. The company advises the client that it would need four months but would be able to complete the project under budget.

What is this behavior considered?

  1. Ethical and illegal
  2. Unethical and illegal
  3. Unethical and legal
  4. Ethical and legal

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The company honestly discloses its realistic project timeline to the client without misleading or misrepresenting its capabilities.

Why is this ethical?

The company does not engage in deception; it clearly states that it requires four months rather than falsely promising three.

It offers added value by completing the project 20% under budget, which is beneficial for the client.

This aligns with ethical principles of honesty, transparency, and fairness.

Why is this legal?

There is no law requiring the company to meet the three-month deadline if it discloses its timeline honestly.

Misrepresentation would be illegal, but the company truthfully communicates its capabilities.

Why Not the Other Options?

A . Ethical and Illegal: There is no violation of any law.

B . Unethical and Illegal: The company does not engage in fraud or deception.

C . Unethical and Legal: The action is not unethical since it follows principles of honesty and integrity.

Thus, the correct answer is D. Ethical and Legal because the company acts transparently while complying with business ethics and legal standards.

Reference in Ethics in Technology:

ACM Code of Ethics (2022).

IEEE Code of Conduct (2020).

Brenkert, G. G. (2008). "Marketing Ethics." Blackwell Encyclopedia of Management.



To gain access to the electronic health record of a critically injured patient, an intensive care specialist decided to circumvent privacy policies to save the patient Which decision-ma king process guided the action of the specialist?

  1. Unethical and legal
  2. Unethical and illegal
  3. Ethical and legal
  4. Ethical and Illegal

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The intensive care specialist acts with good intent (saving the patient's life) but violates privacy laws in the process.

Why is this ethical?

The doctor prioritizes the patient's life and well-being, which aligns with the ethical principle of beneficence (doing good).

The action follows utilitarian ethics, where breaking a rule is justified if it results in a greater moral good (saving a life).

Why is this illegal?

Bypassing privacy protections (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR) violates legal and regulatory standards concerning patient data.

Medical institutions require proper authorization to access patient records, even in emergencies.

Why Not the Other Options?

A . Unethical and Legal: The action is not unethical because the intention is to save a life.

B . Unethical and Illegal: The action is illegal but not unethical, as it prioritizes the patient's survival.

C . Ethical and Legal: While ethical, privacy laws are still broken, making it illegal.

Thus, the correct answer is D. Ethical and Illegal, as the doctor acts ethically but violates privacy laws in the process.

Reference in Ethics in Technology:

Beauchamp, T., & Childress, J. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (2018).

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (1996).

Tavani, H. T. (2016). Ethics and Technology: Controversies, Questions, and Strategies for Ethical Computing.



An incident handler discovers an unauthorized change in the security key vault's database file, which caused a disclosure of confidential information.
Which ethical issue does this incident pose?

  1. Property
  2. Privacy
  3. Access
  4. Accuracy

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The unauthorized change in the security key vault's database led to the disclosure of confidential information, which directly impacts privacy. Privacy concerns the protection of personal and sensitive information from unauthorized access, use, or exposure.

When confidential data is leaked, it violates fundamental principles of data privacy and security, raising ethical issues about how sensitive information is managed and protected.

Relevant Ethical Reference in Technology:

Privacy Ethics (Warren & Brandeis, 1890) ­ Defined privacy as "the right to be let alone."

Data Protection Regulations ­ GDPR (Europe), CCPA (California), and HIPAA (for health data) enforce ethical handling of personal information.

Confidentiality Principle in Cybersecurity ­ Ensuring only authorized access to sensitive information aligns with professional ethical standards (e.g., ACM Code of Ethics, IEEE Ethics Code).

Ethical Hacking & Incident Handling ­ Ethical frameworks emphasize preventing breaches that compromise privacy.

Thus, this incident primarily raises concerns about privacy, making option B the correct answer.






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