Networking at Scale (CS 145) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: The Ethics of Cloud Computing
Module Author: Danny Belgrad

Course Level: Lower-level undergraduate
AY: 2022-2023

Course Description: “This course studies computer network topics including Layer 2/Layer 3 topology, routing, transport protocols, traffic engineering, network functions, programmable switches, and software-defined networking. Modern networks have grown to large scale (connecting millions of servers) and high speed (terabits per second) to meet the needs of cloud applications in business and society. Thus, in addition to learning the conventional concepts in networking, we will also discuss how to adapt these concepts to large-scale networks. These discussions will hopefully help deepen our understanding of networking technologies. This course includes lectures and system programming projects.”​

Semesters Taught: Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2023

Tags

• Cloud computing [CS]
• Cloud security [CS]
• Data sharing [CS]
• Free speech [phil]
• Economic rights [phil]
• Informational privacy [phil]
• Ignorance [phil]
• Moral responsibility [phil]

Module Overview

The module asks under what circumstances a cloud computing service may refuse services to a customer. We begin by breaking down this larger question into various factors that shed light on the topic, and subsequently, interrogate each factor. Then, we return to our original question and use example cases to think through the problem.

    Connection to Course Material

The students have spent time learning about cloud computing companies and services, and this module is meant to interrogate the ethics of those services.

Goals

Module Goals

1. Provide a framework to think about whether cloud computing companies may ever refuse services
2. Think about what factors might be relevant in answering this overarching questions
3. Interrogate each factor and debate our opinions in class

    Key Philosophical Questions

• Should a cloud computing company ever be able to refuse services to a customer?
• Which factors are relevant in answering that question?
• How does free speech enter into this conversation?

Materials

    Key Philosophical Concepts

• Free Speech
• Economic Reasons vs. Ethical Reasons (can an economic imperative ever justify immoral behavior?)
• Moral responsibility
• Positive vs. Negative Rights

    Assigned Readings

No readings were assigned for this module.

Implementation

    Class Agenda

1. Introduce the Module and Two Case Studies
2. Lecture & Discussion #1: Type of Merchant
3. Lecture & Discussion #2: Actions of the Customer
4. Lecture & Discussion #3: Existence of Alternative Options
5. Lecture & Discussion #4: Free Speech
6. Return to Case Studies

Sample Class Activity

We discussed why the actions of a customer are relevant in determining if a cloud company should suspend services. For example, you might think that if a customer acts egregiously, then the cloud company should suspend services. In the activity section, the students divided into groups and debated various scenarios, where cloud customers acted in different ways. Then, we returned and discussed their responses as a larger group.

    Module Assignment

No assignment for this module was given

Lessons Learned

1. The students have strong intuitions about the role of cloud computing services, and general skepticism about the ethics of large tech companies.
2. The students often made comments that strayed from the more focused arena of the discussion, i.e. instead of discussing how free speech weighed on the issue, they would answer what Amazon should be doing more generally. It is important to make the boundaries of each localized discussion very clear, and hopefully compelling and relevant.