ThinkingAloud

Keep pressure on tech firms to compete on trust, ethics

It is time moral qualities are duly considered in discussions on technologies and their impact

ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
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When I think of tech companies, the qualities that spring to mind are fast-moving, fiercely competitive, smart and cool - but not necessarily ethical.

So it is a surprise that several of the world's largest tech firms are increasingly speaking up about their moral qualities - their trustworthiness when it comes to protecting clients' data, for instance, or their inclusive approach towards spreading the gains from the digital economy.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 10, 2018, with the headline Keep pressure on tech firms to compete on trust, ethics. Subscribe