Ethical or unethical?

[Summer :]]

Is it ethical or unethical for a company to leak out information of a company to a friend?
Base your idea consequentialism, non-consequentialism or virtue. 

We're doing a debate in school and i think its ethical, yet im confused about what to write exactly :S
Your opinions and help will be appreciated, thank you

[$tyli$h Executive]

Unethical.

Much depends on who the 'friend' is. He may as well be working for a competitor firm. In this case, passing on secret information like the process of manufacture used, the trade linkages and secrets, company policies etc may lead to the reduction of profits and market share of the firm concerned if its competitors take any collusive action. It is of course unethical because you are harming the company which paid you good salary and ensured you a good working environment.

[astarmathsandphysics]

It is ethical. You are making your company stronger by making them fight.

[Saladin]

It depends.

The company may want information leaked.

[DrEvil]

yeah it depends on the intention of the company and nature of the friend because the friend might exploit the information leaked which may cause serious problems later on...

but to me it is unethical...nobody likes his/her privacy to leak out...

 

[astarmathsandphysics]

Business is war. Companies leak all the time to manipulate share prices

[DrEvil]

well yes i agree that business is a war but you have to be real careful in ur making out ur strategy and tactics in how the war is to be fought...otherwise severe consequences always await such mistakes...

[astarmathsandphysics]

Anyone who follows politics in their country should see that politicians are always leaking bad stories about each other - even when those people are in the same government, same party or EVEN THE SAME MARRIAGE!

It is probably ethical that all this mud be brought into the open so we can throw the buggers out!

[[Ash]]

Well, i think its unethical, By leaking out the TOP things of "your" company.. If you think you are making your company strong in this way, then you can make a company "Stronger" By keeping it to you and your friends!

Your friends and peers are your partners, they help you, share everything you and they expected to do the same from us! Okay, if you don't want to share yourself but You can help them out! Its totally unethical that you are taking an advantage but exactly putting your friends at the double disadvantage. Firstly, he/she trust you by sharing yourself, no matters what he/she is sharing You deceived them. secondly, after deceiving them, you are now letting others know about their plans, suggestions and ideas. Its unethical!