News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Nissan Admits Internal Emissions-Test Results were Falsified. Parent comment

Re:Nissan Admits Internal Emissions-Test Results were Falsified by cornellwright on Monday July 09, 2018 @12:10PM (#17491280)
The other thing I'd add to this is if you look at the VW and other scandals, you'll see "rogue engineers" are the first ones executives will try to throw under the bus. Ethics aside, you're taking a huge risk in order to inflate someone else's bonus.

In the end if things go sideways the company won't have your back. That boss who told you to cheat (verbally of course) will suddenly have "no recollection" of the conversation.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Nissan Admits Internal Emissions-Test Results were Falsified by cmiles74 on Monday July 09, 2018 @01:02PM (#17491680)
Yes, I don't think this is the way it actually played out. As you mention, why would such a "rogue engineer" take such a risk for someone else? And why would that person risk sharing their culpability with a "rogue engineer" when I am sure they could phrase things in a way that sounds more innocent and reasonable.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Nissan Admits Internal Emissions-Test Results were Falsified by rusk on Tuesday July 10, 2018 @06:19AM (#17496799)
> why would such a "rogue engineer" take such a risk for someone else?

It's well documented that people will often defer to authority, even if it's to do something they feel uneasy about [0]

Indeed, in my own experience as a younger engineer I had a manager sitting over my shoulder once dictating what I should but into an estimate, under my name. Indeed it was fairly innocuous stuff, and I'm sure he meant well, but still ...

In a business environment where you have all sorts of contractors, graduates, people floating through and a management culture of "getting things done" there are so many ways that this kind of thing can happen.

[0] https://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Nissan Admits Internal Emissions-Test Results were Falsified by cornellwright on Monday July 09, 2018 @04:00PM (#17492982)
Sure, it won't be phrased that way and so obvious when presented. But I guess that's my point: Have a conscience, pay attention, and don't build anything illegal or unethical. Management may be sanctioning it now, but they won't have your back once the music stops.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Nissan Admits Internal Emissions-Test Results were Falsified by dorgo on Monday July 09, 2018 @02:31PM (#17492343)
As a rougue engineer I would expect at least an increase in my bonus which is proportional to the one of my chef. There is little reason to be a roughe engineer otherwise.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Nissan Admits Internal Emissions-Test Results were Falsified by jellicle on Monday July 09, 2018 @02:47PM (#17492463)
The usual reason is something like "you'll get fired if you don't".
[ Parent | on HN ]