Canadian cellular company Rogers and U.S. based Sprint have both engaged in services where Wi-Fi will be installed into vehicles. They are hoping to capitalize on peoples necessity to always be connected to the internet, even while on the road.

Distracted driving has been a huge issue these past few years with cell phone use causing many accidents and the public demanding government regulation.

By installing internet connections into vehicles, these companies are encouraging distracted driving so they may profit from it.

While the possibility to make money in this market is obvious, whether the ethics behind the decision are sound is another question.

With this move, Rogers proves that their core values of their company are to maximize profits within the regulations of the law, but not to a higher, more socially responsible level.

Personally, I agree with their entry into this new market. Milton Friedman believed that the companies should work to maximize the profits of the company within the regulations of the law but no further; this laissez-faire attitude is the basis of capitalism and the realistic market with in which we operate.

The public has the option to purchase this service and therefore they are responsible for any negative outcomes, not the company selling the service.

Sources:

Fellow Sauder Student Alex Tanaka:https://blogs.ubc.ca/alextanaka/2013/09/29/rogers-and-sprint-are-bringing-wifi-to-our-cars/

Wi-Fi enabled cars pose ‘great concern’ to safety, says researcher

http://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2013/09/26/rogers_and_sprint_to_offer_highspeed_wifi_in_cars.html