Should I tell a client's family there is porn on his PC?

Question

Let's suppose that I'm working on a computer, brought to me by the dead owner's family - they might have asked me to recover his mail, records, etc.
Now, let's suppose I find that he had a modest collection of downloaded porn - some dirty movies, but nothing like child porn or anything that might be considered illegal.
Here's the ethical dilemma.. should I just quietly delete the files, with a reassuring nod to the departed soul, or does his family need to get ALL his files... which is what I contracted to do. ?

Oh, I know what I will do, I'm clear in my own mind there... I'm floating the question out here to see what other people feel

OK, just to close this one..

The resolution, worked out with my boss, to make it "official", was that I called the owner's family and advised them that there were some "questionable" files on the machine, and what did they want me to do?
As I expected, his mother said to just shred them, which I did.. the important point being that I'd got the client's instruction to do so, and it's documented, so I and my employers are covered.

Thanks to everyone for their inputs on this.

Answer 1

Tough question, I'd say a discreet phone call to the person who actually hired you should answert this question better than a bunch of yahoos on here. I'd let them know there was some racy files, but not exactly specify what they are, unless they ask to receive them.....in which case, give all they ask for. Lol, that is a good question

Answer 2

Well, if it is something that he understands is is not normal and he feels as though it is not normal, then you should help him to deal with it privately,. Why add embarrassment to the mix. Pornography does not make you a pedophile, it is really a means to immediate gratification. It is an area where you can become immediately successful, after a bad day, a fight with you significant other, are even being frustrated in general. Quite often the trigger for an urge, IS NOT sexual in nature. It isn't Pam Anderson, or Beyonce, that sends you into a tailspin. it is your job, or an argument. Pedophilia is something completely different, and I don't adhere to the idea that porn leads to rape either. It is an outlet for emotional distress, the problem is if you feel it is wrong and I do, it leads to more distress through guilt. so its a catch 22. Go easy, when hubby is frustrated, be his outlet, open your blouse a little. Sit on his lap, tell him you love him and that you think he's hot. It will distract him from fantasy and lead him to reality.

Answer 3

As an IT professional for nearly 20 years (wow.. I feel really old now) I have been in this situation before. I gave them what they ASKED for and let them keep the memory of the dead remain as it is. The right to know after the fact is not, in fact a right. They might take it very insulting or damaging to their emotional health in some way.

See if there is a member of the family y you can ASK first. Something along the lines of "In some instances people have files on their system that they haven't made known to the rest of the family. If these are found, what do you want me to do with them?" That shows respect for their feelings and removes any future problems for you.

Be a professional, but don't shoot yourself in the foot by telling them things they might not want ot know.

Answer 4

That's a tough one. I would say you have an ethical obligation to give the family those files. You get paid to get all the files right?? But why do they really need to know those ones and who's gonna tell them they were there so they'd know you lied and only gave them certain ones. But what if those are actually some of the files they wanted to know about and you inadvertently mislead them then your screwed in your field. Sorry not much help

Answer 5

is there anyone in the family that seems reasonable enough to ask? my thinking is that they do not want the porn, that is personal and not for anyone else to know about, least of all their family who is already grieving. they asked for his mail and records, not everything on the computer, just that which is needed. porn is definitely not in the spirit of what they wanted.
Like a priest, doctor, or attorney, you have an ethical obligation to not blab about someones personal life IMO.

if you do tell the family they will definitely not thank you for damaging the deceased's reputation.

Answer 6

First answer this question--What good would it do to tell the family now? And then ask the next question--Say it were your computer, and you were the one either incarcerated, or gone for some reason and one of your family wanted the information, would you want it given out?? Think about it.....The reason we have passwords on here is so people will not get our information. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Heres my outlook on porn. Its one thing to watch porn or look at it on the internet every now and again but to save it on your computer to the point where you have archives full of hundreds of pictures and movies its obsessive and gross. I dunno what you should do, you know the family more than i do thats up to you. Its all based upon your own morals and what u think about porn especially if hes under 18.
But being that he is dead i would say just leave it alone, his family doesnt need to remember him as a perv. If he was alive i would say to tell.

Answer 8

If you are contracted to get all his files you should do just that. I would let them know there is some sensitive files on his pc and let them decide whether or not to look at them. They might be totally aware of it and if you don't get all the files they could then sue for breach of contract

Answer 9

I say delete the files. What would be so important in the porn that the family would need to see it right?

Answer 10

Delete the porn, don't embarrass him and his family even though he is dead. Maybe just to cover yourself save a copy of it all on a dvd and if they know about it and ask for it, give it to them, if they don't ask then there is no harm done. What they do not know cannot hurt them.