I think this post highlights a missing component of the IT ecosystem -- a professional code of ethics.
Many companies, especially large ones with lots of lawyers, have developed policies and procedures relating to what's acceptable and what's not. But most smaller companies and startups don't seem to have time to formulate these policies.
A professional code of ethics, specially with regard to privacy and user data, would be very useful.
Right now, most developers operate on a "do unto others" philosophy. While this may be good intentioned and work well a lot of the time, it's highly subjective -- as evidenced by the comments on this thread.
Many companies, especially large ones with lots of lawyers, have developed policies and procedures relating to what's acceptable and what's not. But most smaller companies and startups don't seem to have time to formulate these policies.
A professional code of ethics, specially with regard to privacy and user data, would be very useful.
Right now, most developers operate on a "do unto others" philosophy. While this may be good intentioned and work well a lot of the time, it's highly subjective -- as evidenced by the comments on this thread.