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report:eth [2026/04/01 10:02] – [6.2 Engineering Ethics] team5report:eth [2026/06/14 14:44] (current) – [6.4 Environmental Ethics] team5
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 ==== 6.1 Introduction ====  ==== 6.1 Introduction ==== 
-This chapter examines the ethical, deontological, and legal dimensions of the Connect installation. It evaluates the project's impact on public transport users, ensuring that the design choices align with principles of privacy, inclusivity, and social responsibility.+This chapter examines the ethical, deontological, and legal dimensions of the CONNECT and share installation. It evaluates the project's impact on public transport users, ensuring that the design choices align with principles of privacy, inclusivity, and social responsibility.
  
 It covers: It covers:
  
-- Engineering Ethics: An analysis of passenger interaction and consent, focusing on data privacy (the non-collection of personal data in Phase 1 versus audio storage in Phase 2) and accessibility concerns.+- Engineering Ethics: An analysis of passenger interaction and consent, focusing on data privacy (the non-collection of personal data in Phase 1 versus message storage in Phase 2) and accessibility concerns.
  
 - Sales and Marketing Ethics: An evaluation of the project's funding models (public interest versus commercial sponsorship), highlighting the need for transparency and the protection of user-generated content from commercial exploitation. - Sales and Marketing Ethics: An evaluation of the project's funding models (public interest versus commercial sponsorship), highlighting the need for transparency and the protection of user-generated content from commercial exploitation.
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 - Summary: The final conclusions detailing the specific design, material, and technical choices implemented by the team to uphold these ethical standards. - Summary: The final conclusions detailing the specific design, material, and technical choices implemented by the team to uphold these ethical standards.
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 ==== 6.2 Engineering Ethics ====  ==== 6.2 Engineering Ethics ==== 
  
-Connect is designed to interact with passengers in a shared public space. +CONNECT and share is designed to interact with passengers in a shared public space. 
 This raises questions about professional responsibility, user consent, and  This raises questions about professional responsibility, user consent, and 
-inclusive design. The IEEE Code of Ethics requires engineers to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public, and to protect the privacy of others [(ieee2020ethics)]. These principles works as a guidance when the team approach passenger interaction and data handling throughout the project.+inclusive design.The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Code of Ethics requires engineers to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public, and to protect the privacy of others [(ieee2020ethics)]. These principles works as a guidance when the team approach passenger interaction and data handling throughout the project.
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 **Informed interaction and passive consent**\\ **Informed interaction and passive consent**\\
 Passengers interact with the installation by gripping a handrail, which is an action they would perform regardless of the installation's presence. To ensure that passengers are aware of the installation, an informational notice is  Passengers interact with the installation by gripping a handrail, which is an action they would perform regardless of the installation's presence. To ensure that passengers are aware of the installation, an informational notice is 
-placed on the carriage door. This approach provides passive consent: passengers are informed before entering, and their engagement remains voluntary. No active sign-up or agreement is required. Since Phase 1 collects no personal data, the installation falls outside the scope of the EU General Data Protection Regulation [(gdpr2016)], which applies only where personal data is processed.\\+placed on the carriage door. This approach provides passive consent: passengers are informed before entering, and their engagement remains voluntary. No active sign-up or agreement is required. Since Phase 1 collects no personal data, the installation falls outside the scope of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) [(gdpr2016)], which applies only where personal data is processed.\\
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 **Privacy and data minimisation**\\ **Privacy and data minimisation**\\
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 does not identify who is pressing, collect biometric data, or transmit any personal information. No data is stored or logged at any point in Phase 1. This distinguishes the system from biometric sensing technologies and minimises privacy risk, in line with the principle of data minimisation established under the GDPR [(gdpr2016)].\\ does not identify who is pressing, collect biometric data, or transmit any personal information. No data is stored or logged at any point in Phase 1. This distinguishes the system from biometric sensing technologies and minimises privacy risk, in line with the principle of data minimisation established under the GDPR [(gdpr2016)].\\
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-In Phase 2, passengers may voluntarily choose to submit a message via a web platform accessed through a QR code near the exit doors. Participation is entirely optional. However, voice messages constitute personal user-generated content, and the platform must handle this responsibly in accordance with the GDPR [(gdpr2016)]. Voice messages are transcribed and reviewed through automated content moderation tools prior to being made available on the platform. Questions of data ownership and retention period should be clearly communicated to users on the platform.\\+In Phase 2, passengers may voluntarily choose to submit a message via a web platform accessed through a QR code near the exit doors. Participation is entirely optional. However, messages constitute personal user-generated content, and the platform must handle this responsibly in accordance with the GDPR [(gdpr2016)]. Messages are transcribed and reviewed through automated content moderation tools prior to being made available on the platform. Questions of data ownership and retention period should be clearly communicated to users on the platform.\\
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 **Accessibility**\\ **Accessibility**\\
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 ==== 6.3 Sales and Marketing Ethics ====  ==== 6.3 Sales and Marketing Ethics ==== 
-Although Connect originates as a student project within the European Project Semester at ISEP, it is developed and presented as a real product concept with potential for deployment in public transport systems. This framing means that ethical considerations around commercialisation are relevant. The IEEE Code of Ethics requires that engineers act in a manner that avoids +Although CONNECT and share originates as a student project within the European Project Semester at ISEP, it is developed and presented as a real product concept with potential for deployment in public transport systems. This framing means that ethical considerations around commercialisation are relevant. The IEEE Code of Ethics requires that engineers act in a manner that avoids 
 deceptive acts and maintains honesty and integrity in all communications [(ieee2020ethics)].\\ deceptive acts and maintains honesty and integrity in all communications [(ieee2020ethics)].\\
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 **Potential customer types**\\ **Potential customer types**\\
-Two types of customers have been identified. One is a municipality or public transport authority adopting Connect in the public interest represents a relatively unproblematic relationship: the installation's stated goal to reduce social isolation in public spaces aligns with the mandate of public institutions. A commercial sponsor introduces more complex considerations. If a private entity funds the installation, it is important that the sponsor's interests do not conflict with or overshadow the project's original purpose. Passengers should not be exposed to undisclosed commercial influence.\\+Two types of customers have been identified. One is a municipality or public transport authority adopting CONNECT and share in the public interest represents a relatively unproblematic relationship: the installation's stated goal to reduce social isolation in public spaces aligns with the mandate of public institutions. A commercial sponsor introduces more complex considerations. If a private entity funds the installation, it is important that the sponsor's interests do not conflict with or overshadow the project's original purpose. Passengers should not be exposed to undisclosed commercial influence.\\
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 **Transparency toward passengers**\\ **Transparency toward passengers**\\
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 **Data and commercial interests in Phase 2**\\ **Data and commercial interests in Phase 2**\\
-In Phase 1, no user data is collected, which eliminates the risk of data monetisation. In Phase 2, voice messages are submitted voluntarily by users and constitute personal data subject to the GDPR [(gdpr2016)]. A commercial sponsor must not have access to this content for marketing purposes. The team's position is that user-generated content in Phase 2 belongs to the platform and is used solely for the purpose of the installation, and not for commercial exploitation.\\+In Phase 1, no user data is collected, which eliminates the risk of data monetisation. In Phase 2, messages are submitted voluntarily by users and constitute personal data subject to the GDPR [(gdpr2016)]. A commercial sponsor must not have access to this content for marketing purposes. The team's position is that user-generated content in Phase 2 belongs to the platform and is used solely for the purpose of the installation, and not for commercial exploitation.\\
 ==== 6.4 Environmental Ethics ==== ==== 6.4 Environmental Ethics ====
  
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 **Enclosure material**\\ **Enclosure material**\\
-The electronics enclosure is 3D printed using Nanovia PA Rail, a composite polyamide filament certified to NF EN 45545-2 for use in railway environments[(nanovia_pa_rail)]. The material was selected for its fire safety properties, because it is non-flammable, low smoke, and low toxicity characteristics[(nanovia_pa_rail)]. It is a petroleum-based polymer, which is not  biodegradable, and end-of-life disposal should be handled accordingly. We were initially planning on using PLA (polylactic acid), which would be biodegradable, but the safety requirements of the deployment was considered more important.\\+The electronics enclosure is 3D printed using Nanovia PA Rail, a composite polyamide filament certified to NF EN 45545-2 for use in railway environments [(nanovia_pa_rail)]. The material was selected for its fire safety properties, because it is non-flammable, low smoke, and low toxicity characteristics [(nanovia_pa_rail)]. It is a petroleum-based polymer, which is not  biodegradable, and end-of-life disposal should be handled accordingly. We were initially planning on using PLA, which would be biodegradable, but the safety requirements of the deployment was considered more important.\\
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 **Electronic components**\\ **Electronic components**\\
-The system uses a WEMOS C3 Mini microcontroller (ESP32-C3-based), WS2812B addressable LED strips, MCP2551 CAN bus transceivers, and velostat pressure-sensing sheets, which are all electronic components. Their manufacture involves energy processes and can involve rare materials. As the system contains electronic components, it falls within the scope of the WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU), which requires that electronic waste is collected and processed through certified facilities rather than disposed of as general waste [(weee2012)].\\+The system uses a WEMOS C3 Mini microcontroller (ESP32-C3-based), WS2812 addressable LED strips, MCP2551 CAN bus transceivers, and velostat pressure-sensing sheets, which are all electronic components. Their manufacture involves energy processes and can involve rare materials. As the system contains electronic components, it falls within the scope of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive (2012/19/EU), which requires that electronic waste is collected and processed through certified facilities rather than disposed of as general waste [(weee2012)].\\
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 **Phase 2 infrastructure**\\ **Phase 2 infrastructure**\\
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 ==== 6.5 Liability ==== ==== 6.5 Liability ====
  
-Because Connect is installed in a public transport environment and involves direct physical contact by passengers, liability is a relevant concern. The following considerations apply to both phases of the project.\\+Because CONNECT and share is installed in a public transport environment and involves direct physical contact by passengers, liability is a relevant concern. The following considerations apply to both phases of the project.\\
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 **Physical safety (Phase 1)**\\ **Physical safety (Phase 1)**\\
-Passengers grip handrails that contain embedded velostat sheets, wiring, and LED components. The materials must be safe for repeated physical contact and must not create electrical hazards. The electronics enclosure is designed to contain all active components, and the handrail surface presented to passengers should be free of exposed components. The General Product Safety Directive requires that all products placed in public use are safe and do not pose excessive risk to users [(gpsd2001)]. The Low Voltage Directive establishes safety standards for electrical equipment and applies to the electronic components used in the installation [(lvd2014)]. Responsibility for  ensuring compliance lies with the team as designers, in coordination with the metro operator as the host environment.\\+Passengers grip handrails that contain embedded velostat sheets, wiring, and LED components. The materials must be safe for repeated physical contact and must not create electrical hazards. The electronics enclosure is designed to contain all active components, and the handrail surface presented to passengers should be free of exposed components. The General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) requires that all products placed in public use are safe and do not pose excessive risk to users [(gpsd2001)]. The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) establishes safety standards for electrical equipment and applies to the electronic components used in the installation [(lvd2014)]. Responsibility for  ensuring compliance lies with the team as designers, in coordination with the metro operator as the host environment.\\
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 **User-generated content (Phase 2)**\\ **User-generated content (Phase 2)**\\
-The introduction of a voice message platform in Phase 2 raises the question of liability for user-generated content. Passengers may submit messages that are harmful, offensive, or distressing to other users. The team addresses this through automated moderation: voice messages are transcribed using OpenAI's Whisper API and reviewed via OpenAI's Moderation API before being made available on the platform. The platform must also comply with the GDPR regarding storage, access, and retention of voice data [(gdpr2016)]. While automated moderation reduces risk, it does not eliminate it entirely. The team should establish clear terms of use accessible via the platform, defining what content is not permitted.\\+The introduction of a message platform in Phase 2 raises the question of liability for user-generated content. Passengers may submit messages that are harmful, offensive, or distressing to other users. Messages are reviewed through LLM content moderation API prior to being made available on the platform. The platform must also comply with the GDPR regarding storage, access, and retention of data [(gdpr2016)]. While automated moderation reduces risk, it does not eliminate it entirely. What kind of content that is not permitted need to be defined clearly for the user.\\
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 **Sponsor and operator responsibility**\\ **Sponsor and operator responsibility**\\
 If the installation is commercially sponsored or operated by a transit authority, the distribution of liability between the team as designers, the sponsor, and the metro operator should be clearly defined prior to any deployment. This is particularly relevant for Phase 2, where the platform  If the installation is commercially sponsored or operated by a transit authority, the distribution of liability between the team as designers, the sponsor, and the metro operator should be clearly defined prior to any deployment. This is particularly relevant for Phase 2, where the platform 
-hosts user content over time.\\+hosts user content over time. The data stored need to be separated from commercial interests.\\
 ==== 6.6 Summary ==== ==== 6.6 Summary ====
  
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