lOMoAR cPSD| 62301842
WGU D842 TASK 2: PRIVACY AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN AI AND
SOCIAL MEDIA | VERIFIED STUDY | 2026 UPDATES | 100%
CORRECT
A. Using an AI chatbot tool, generate a response to two of the prompts found in the topic list.
Provide a copy of each generated response in your submission.
A1) Hey Gemini what are some potential privacy and ethical issues with associated with
using social media?
As we move through 2025, the relationship between social media, privacy, and ethics has
become increasingly complex. The rise of sophisticated AI and new global regulations
has shifted the conversation from simple "oversharing" to deep structural concerns about
how our digital identities are managed.
Here is a breakdown of the primary issues today:
1. Privacy Concerns: The "Data as Currency" Problem
The most persistent privacy issue is that most social media business models treat user data as the
product.
• AI Scraping & Training: A major 2025 concern is that your photos, posts, and videos
are frequently "scraped" by AI companies to train large models without your explicit
consent or compensation.
• Shadow Profiling: Platforms collect data on you even if you don't have an account, or
they track your behavior across other websites using "pixels" and cookies to build a
hidden profile of your habits.
• Involuntary Data Sharing: Many apps request broad permissions—access to your
contacts, microphone, and precise GPS location—often collecting more than is necessary
for the app to function.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 62301842
• Data Persistence: Once information is uploaded, you lose control over it. Even if you
delete a post, it may already be stored in third-party databases or web archives.
2. Ethical Issues: Impact on Society & Individuals
Ethical concerns focus on the intent and impact of how these platforms are designed.
• Algorithmic Manipulation: Algorithms are often designed to maximize "engagement,"
which frequently means prioritizing polarizing, sensational, or outraging content. This
can lead to filter bubbles and political polarization.
• Digital Wellbeing & Mental Health: The use of "variable rewards" (like likes and
infinite scrolling) is ethically questioned for its addictive nature, particularly its impact on
the self-esteem and attention spans of younger users.
• Misinformation & Deepfakes: The ethical responsibility of platforms to "gatekeep"
truth is a hot topic. With AI-generated deepfakes becoming indistinguishable from reality,
the spread of false narratives can influence elections and public safety.
• Bias and Discrimination: AI-driven moderation tools or ad-targeting systems can
inadvertently bake in racial, gender, or socioeconomic biases, leading to certain groups
being unfairly censored or excluded from opportunities (like job ads).
3. Emerging Security Risks
Privacy and ethics often collide in the realm of security:
Social Engineering: Cybercriminals use the personal details you share (pet names, high
school, birth year) to guess security questions or craft highly personalized phishing
attacks.
Doxing and Harassment: Publicly available information can be used by "bad actors" to find
your home address or workplace, leading to real-world stalking or harassment. (Google,
2026)
A2) Hey Gemini what are some potential privacy and ethical issues associated with using
smart watches?
Smartwatches offer incredible health and convenience benefits, but they also create a
"digital shadow" that records some of our most intimate data. As of 2025, the
conversation around these devices has shifted from simple data security to complex
questions about how this data defines our rights in the real world.
Here is a breakdown of the primary privacy and ethical issues associated with smartwatches:
WGU D842 TASK 2: PRIVACY AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN AI AND
SOCIAL MEDIA | VERIFIED STUDY | 2026 UPDATES | 100%
CORRECT
A. Using an AI chatbot tool, generate a response to two of the prompts found in the topic list.
Provide a copy of each generated response in your submission.
A1) Hey Gemini what are some potential privacy and ethical issues with associated with
using social media?
As we move through 2025, the relationship between social media, privacy, and ethics has
become increasingly complex. The rise of sophisticated AI and new global regulations
has shifted the conversation from simple "oversharing" to deep structural concerns about
how our digital identities are managed.
Here is a breakdown of the primary issues today:
1. Privacy Concerns: The "Data as Currency" Problem
The most persistent privacy issue is that most social media business models treat user data as the
product.
• AI Scraping & Training: A major 2025 concern is that your photos, posts, and videos
are frequently "scraped" by AI companies to train large models without your explicit
consent or compensation.
• Shadow Profiling: Platforms collect data on you even if you don't have an account, or
they track your behavior across other websites using "pixels" and cookies to build a
hidden profile of your habits.
• Involuntary Data Sharing: Many apps request broad permissions—access to your
contacts, microphone, and precise GPS location—often collecting more than is necessary
for the app to function.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 62301842
• Data Persistence: Once information is uploaded, you lose control over it. Even if you
delete a post, it may already be stored in third-party databases or web archives.
2. Ethical Issues: Impact on Society & Individuals
Ethical concerns focus on the intent and impact of how these platforms are designed.
• Algorithmic Manipulation: Algorithms are often designed to maximize "engagement,"
which frequently means prioritizing polarizing, sensational, or outraging content. This
can lead to filter bubbles and political polarization.
• Digital Wellbeing & Mental Health: The use of "variable rewards" (like likes and
infinite scrolling) is ethically questioned for its addictive nature, particularly its impact on
the self-esteem and attention spans of younger users.
• Misinformation & Deepfakes: The ethical responsibility of platforms to "gatekeep"
truth is a hot topic. With AI-generated deepfakes becoming indistinguishable from reality,
the spread of false narratives can influence elections and public safety.
• Bias and Discrimination: AI-driven moderation tools or ad-targeting systems can
inadvertently bake in racial, gender, or socioeconomic biases, leading to certain groups
being unfairly censored or excluded from opportunities (like job ads).
3. Emerging Security Risks
Privacy and ethics often collide in the realm of security:
Social Engineering: Cybercriminals use the personal details you share (pet names, high
school, birth year) to guess security questions or craft highly personalized phishing
attacks.
Doxing and Harassment: Publicly available information can be used by "bad actors" to find
your home address or workplace, leading to real-world stalking or harassment. (Google,
2026)
A2) Hey Gemini what are some potential privacy and ethical issues associated with using
smart watches?
Smartwatches offer incredible health and convenience benefits, but they also create a
"digital shadow" that records some of our most intimate data. As of 2025, the
conversation around these devices has shifted from simple data security to complex
questions about how this data defines our rights in the real world.
Here is a breakdown of the primary privacy and ethical issues associated with smartwatches:
