IfG.CC - The Potsdam eGovernment Competence Center

A set of “ethical” guidelines for the users of internet services and personal electronic devices has been developed in Tajikistan. The “Ethics Code for an e-Citizen”, presented in Dushanbe on October 11, seeks to provide the country's information and telecommunication technology (ICT) users with a moral framework for using familiar ethical standards while talking on the phone or surfing the internet.

Tajikistan Monitor has translated the document into English:

We, the members of digital information society, adopt the Ethics Code for an e-Citizen and urge [everyone] to follow in virtual space ethical standards they use in real life.

The norms of this Ethics Code apply to instances of communication via a mobile phone and on the world wide net…

1. When using information and communication technologies (ICT), public interest should prevail.
2. Positive thinking, positive communication, and positive action should prevail in virtual space, irrespective of time and location.
3. It is mandatory to follow and respect human rights and freedoms, national law, and international legal norms in virtual space.
4. Ethical standards of interpersonal communication should be upheld when using ICT; users should introduce themselves and then state the reason of their address [obrashchenie] in a brief and intelligible manner.
5. It is mandatory to follow the law and ethical standards applicable to original content when using ICT.
6. It is mandatory to respect the norms of the state language and national values in virtual space.
7. Talking on the phone and other communication devices loudly and for long periods [or "without need"] is inadmissible in public places.
8. The use of unpleasant (coarse) sounds and unprintable [necenzurniy] words in ICT, as well as playing loud music in public places is inadmissible.
9. ICT should be used in a way that does not disturb other people and is not harmful to their health.
10. Equipment [oborudovanie] and technological devices belonging to other users cannot be used without their permission.
11. Personal data is inviolable in virtual space; the use of personal data without a user’s consent [or "without a sanction"] is inadmissible.
12. It is mandatory to respect intellectual property; plagiarism in ICT is prohibited.
13. The words and information attributable to another person (user) should not be distorted and/or shortened.
14. ICT should not be used to disseminate spam.
15. The use of ICT for harassment, dissemination of offensive content [oskorblenie] and slander, provocation, triggering of panic, as well as for reasons of greed [koryst'], regionalism [mestnichestvo], and other improper reasons, is inadmissible.
16. Discrimination of users on the basis of nationality, language, religion, race, and sex in virtual space is prohibited.
17. Taking advantage [zloupotreblenie] of inadequate technological knowledge and skills of other users is inadmissible.
18. Protecting the rights and interests of minors and those in need [or "disabled"] is a priority in ICT.
19. Posting of unethical and illegal comments to information posted by other users is prohibited.
20. Every person (user) shall be held responsible for the information she or he is disseminating.
21. Every person (user) shall be held responsible for violating ethical standards in the virtual space of ICT.

The document was developed jointly by the president's office, state-run telecommunication agency, organizations representing the country's internet and mobile service providers, and several NGOs. According to Radio Ozodi [tj], a working group including representatives from these organizations will shortly put together a commentary to this brief document.

Although mainstream media in the country have largely ignored the presentation of the Ethics Code, netizens did notice the document. On Twitter, several Tajikistani users have discussed possible consequences of the adoption of this document.

---

Quelle/Source: Global Voices Online, 16.10.2013

Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit: