As businesses transition from traditional models to digital-first ecosystems, the ethical landscape has become increasingly complex. This research paper examines the critical ethical issues surfacing in digital business, including data privacy breaches, algorithmic bias in AI, the digital divide, and the lack of transparency in automated decision-making. Using a secondary qualitative research methodology, the study analyzes global trends from 2022 to 2026, focusing on the tension between corporate profitability and consumer rights. Key findings reveal that while 85% of consumers prioritize data privacy, only 30% of digital businesses have robust ethical AI frameworks. The paper concludes that "Ethics by Design" is no longer a corporate social responsibility (CSR) choice but a fundamental requirement for long-term brand sustainability.
Mrs. Santoshi Girish Yelarpurkar (Mon,) studied this question.