Can computerized data collection on individuals be justified even though it endangers the rights of individual?
---------------------------------
It can not be generalized that computerized data collection on individual is always unjustified. It mainly depends upon the purpose of data collection. Employers keep collecting data of their employees and maintain such data for their official records as well as for the purpose of assessment of the potential strengths and weaknesses of an individual and his or her possible elevation to next higher position and or the training needs if any. I don’t see any unjust in this.
Furthermore medical departments also keep a record of health and sicknesses of individuals. The purpose is such data collection is in the interest of an individual’s further course of treatment and his or her wellbeing. Especially for psychiatric patients doctor’s main job is data collection in respect of an individual’s behavior pattern that helps him treat the subject well. I can see that purpose of data collection is rather noble, there is nothing wrong in it.
In crime detection data collection is done for the criminals who endanger the population by large. Said data collection is in the interest of the nationals at macro level and the purpose is noble.
Only if data collection is done in respect of an individual by another individual with ulterior motives of knowing his or her private life and secrets or with the motive of causing unwarranted harassments or piracy, indeed such data collection is wrong and criminal.
In nutshell, collection of personal data in respect of any individual is right or wrong shall mainly depend upon the purpose of such data collection. If purpose is good; data collection is right, conversely if purpose wrong such data collection is bad. -------------------(275 Words)
