1.5 Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues

Question 1

State the data protection act (1998). Give some examples of personal data which can apply to this

Answer 1

the data protection act (1998) is a legislation that is intended to control how personal data is used by organisations and give data subject rights to their data

-name
-address
-date of Birth
-race
-religion

Question 2

What are the eight principles of the data protection act?

Answer 2

1. Personal data must be fairly and lawfully processed
2. Personal data must be collected for specified and lawful purposes
3. Personal data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive
4. Personal data must be kept accurate and up to date
5. Personal data will not be kept for longer than is necessary
6. Personal data must be processed in line with people’s rights
7. Personal data must be held securely
8. Personal data must not be transferred to countries outside the European Economic Area unless those countries have similar data protection laws

Question 3

Define personal data

Answer 3

any information relating to an identified or identifiable person

Question 4

Define data subject

Answer 4

a person who can be identified, directly or indirectly, from a data set

Question 5

Define data controller

Answer 5

determines the purposes and the way personal data is to be collected and processed

Question 6

Define data processor

Answer 6

the person or organisation that handles personal data on behalf of the data controller

Question 7

Data protection officer

Answer 7

independent person responsible for the implementation of data protection in an organisation

Question 8

Define information commissioner

Answer 8

the UK’s independent authority upholding information rights in the public’s interest

Question 9

What are some exemptions to the data protection act?

Answer 9

domestic purposes – if you only use personal data for such things as writing to friends and family or taking pictures for your own enjoyment, you are not subject to the DPA

law enforcement – the Police investigating a crime is not subject to the DPA. e.g. if someone has been suspected of a crime they can’t request to see the evidence about them

intelligence services processing – personal data processed by the intelligence services (eg MI5) is not covered by the DPA

Question 10

State the computer misuse act (1990)

Answer 10

the computer misuse act 1990 is a legislation intended to provide unauthorised access and modification of electronic data

Question 11

What are the four activities which are illegal under the computer misuse act?

Answer 11

-unauthorised access to computer materials
-unauthorised access with intent to commit further offences
-unauthorised modification of computer files
-making, supplying or obtaining anything which can be used for computer misuse

Question 12

What are some issues which arise with the computer misuse act? (5)

Answer 12

-few cases which are prosecuted under the computer misuse act, and when some trials occur, sentences tend to be lenient

-problem when trying to prove there was intent when an offence took place

-issue tracing the person who was responsible for the offence

-by the time an offender has been caught, the damage has already taken place

-needs an update

Question 13

State the copyright design and patents act (1988)

Answer 13

the copyright design and patents act 1988 is a legislation intended to give creators a wide range of material economic rights, enabling them to control the use of their material in several ways

Question 14

What are some primary breaches which are illegal under the copyright and design patents act? (5)

Answer 14

-copying an original work

-issuing the copy of the original work to the public

-renting/lending the copy of the original work to the public

-performing, showing or playing the original work in public

-making an adaptation of the original work

Question 15

What are some secondary breaches which are illegal under the copyright and design patents act? (5)

Answer 15

-importing a copy of original work

-possessing or dealing with a copy of the original work

-providing means to make copies of the original work

-permitting the use of premises for making copies of the original work

-provision of props/equipment for a performance of a copy of the original work

Question 16

State the regulation of investigatory powers act (2000)

Answer 16

the regulation of investigatory powers act 2000 is a legislation indented to give certain groups the legal right to carry out digital surveillance and access digital communication held by a person or organisation

Question 17

What rights and impacts does the regulation of investigatory powers act do on organisations/public bodies? (6)

Answer 17

-demand internet service providers(ISPs) to provide access to a customer’s communications

-allows mass surveillance of communications

-demands access to be granted to protected information

-businesses have to provide access to digital communications or data when asked for

-allowing monitoring of an individual’s internet activities

-prevents the existence of such interception activities being revealed in court

Question 18

What issues should be mentioned when talking about topics?

Answer 18

moral issues
social issues
ethical issues
cultural issues

Question 19

What are some moral issues with computers in the workforce? (3)

Answer 19

privacy issues:
-raises moral concerns about data privacy and surveillance [personal data can be used in ways that individuals did not anticipate or consent to]
-data breaches can lead to severe consequences, including identity theft and financial loss
-concerns of safeguarding computer systems from cyber threats and attacks [surveillance often entail monitoring network activity, potentially infringing on privacy]

Question 20

What are some ethical issues with computers in the workforce? (3)

Answer 20

job displacement:
-raises ethical concerns about job displacement and the potential loss of employment for workers

intellectual property:
-easier to copy and distribute information raising ethical questions about protecting intellectual property rights and fair compensation for creators
-piracy can lead to significant revenue loss for creators [accessing pirated content instead of purchasing it legally leads to creators being deprived of the revenues they deserve]

Question 21

What are some social issues with computers in the workforce? (2)

Answer 21

work-life balance:
-the use of computers in remote work settings may blur the boundaries between work and personal life, impacting work-life balance and overall well-being

digital divide:
-the increasing reliance on computers increases the digital divide, creating inequality between those who have access to technology and those who do not [this can hinder opportunities for education, employment, and economic advancement for disadvantaged groups]

Question 22

What do we mean by automated decision making?

Answer 22

the process of using algorithms and computer systems to make decisions without direct human intervention

these decisions are based on data analysis, pattern recognition, and predefined rules, enabling computers to rapidly and accurately evaluate vast amounts of information

Question 23

What are some moral issues with automated decision making? (2)

Answer 23

fairness and bias:
-can maintain biases present in the data used to train them, leading to discriminatory outcomes for specific individuals or groups
[ e.g. for a hiring system, an AI system was trained on data submitted by applicants over a 10-year period, most of which came from men
consequently, the system taught itself that male candidates were preferable and therefore rejected female candidates]

accountability and responsibility:
-when errors occur, determining responsibility becomes challenging, especially if the decision making process is obscure

Question 24

What are some social issues with automated decision making? (1)

Answer 24

impact on employment:
-may lead to job displacement, affecting the workforce and raising concerns about economic stability

Question 25

What are some ethical issues with automated decision making? (2)

Answer 25

privacy and data collection:
-may require additional data collection, which raises ethical questions about privacy and the responsible use of personal information

informed consent:
-ethical considerations arise regarding obtaining informed consent from affected individuals, especially if they are unaware of the decision making process

Question 26

What is AI (artificial intelligence)?

Answer 26

intelligent machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence

Question 27

What are some moral issues with AI? (4)

Answer 27

developers and researchers:
-face moral dilemmas related to the potential consequences of their creations such as issues of accountability, privacy, job displacement, and social inequality
-must ensure that AI systems are designed to prioritise ethical values, uphold human rights, and avoid biases that could lead to discrimination or harm

end users and consumers:
-moral concerns regarding their personal data privacy, security, and informed consent
-must be provided with clear, comprehensible information about how their data will be used, who will have access to it, and what the potential risks are [the technical complexities and uncertainties of AI make this difficult]

Question 28

What are some social issues with AI? (7)

Answer 28

workforce:
-some jobs could be automated, leading to unemployment or a shift in job roles
-reskilling and upskilling initiatives are necessary to prepare the workforce for AI-driven transformations

education and accessibility:
-accessibility of AI technologies may create a digital divide, favouring individuals with more resources and access to technology
-ensuring equal access to AI education and resources will be crucial to prevent social disparities

healthcare:
-ethical considerations arise regarding patient data privacy and the role of AI in decision-making
-an incorrect diagnosis or treatment recommendation in a critical situation can have severe consequences [the reliability of AI systems is a significant ethical concern]
-deciding the extent of human oversight and the final decision-making authority- there is a gap between AI capabilities and retaining human judgment, particularly in critical situations

Question 29

What are some ethical issues with AI? (3)

Answer 29

fairness and bias:
-may inadvertently show bias if trained on biased datasets, leading to discrimination against certain demographic groups

autonomous systems:
-dilemmas arise with autonomous AI systems like self-driving cars must be programmed to avoid accidents [in scenarios where an accident is unavoidable, how should the AI decide the course of action]

data privacy and security:
- concerns about data privacy, consent, and the potential misuse of personal information

Question 30

What is electronic waste?

Answer 30

discarded electronic or electrical devices

Question 31

What are some ways to properly dispose electronic waste?

Answer 31

-repairing and reusing devices
-recycling
-disposal at designated facilities
-erase personal data before disposing

Question 32

What are some moral issues with the environmental effects of computers? (2)

Answer 32

environment responsibility:
-proper e-waste disposal and energy-efficient usage is needed

social justice:
-lower-income communities may bear a disproportionate burden of e-waste pollution and energy-related environmental issues

Question 33

What are some social issues with the environmental effects of computers? (2)

Answer 33

fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens:
-all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or cultural background, have equal access to a healthy and sustainable environment

digital divide:
-unequal distribution of access to energy-efficient technologies and recycling facilities can worsen social disparities,

Question 34

What are some ethical issues with the environmental effects of computers? (3)

Answer 34

sustainability:
-requires people to be responsible stewards of the environment and to adopt sustainable practices [includes reducing e-waste and minimising energy consumption]

accountability:
-holding organisations accountable for their environmental practices

environmental justice:
-concerns arise when specific communities or cultures suffer disproportionately from the negative environmental effects of computer-related activities

Question 35

What is censorship?

Answer 35

refers to the control or suppression of information, ideas, or content available online

Question 36

What are some reasons for internet censorship?

Answer 36

protecting National Security
restricting Harmful Content
preserving Cultural Norms
combating Disinformation

Question 37

What are some moral issues with censorship on the internet? (3)

Answer 37

freedom of expression:
- is a fundamental human right that lies at the core of democratic societies but also requires thoughtful reflection on the boundaries of expression to prevent harm and protect the values that underpin the essence of free speech

protecting vulnerable communities:
- essential to shield vulnerable groups from harmful content but access to diverse perspectives is crucial for fostering an inclusive and informed society

accountability and responsibility:
-a balance between protecting vulnerable communities and preserving freedom of expression requires responsible and fair content moderation practices that align with democratic principles and respect the diverse values of society

Question 38

What are some social issues with censorship on the internet? (2)

Answer 38

access to information:
-can hinder the growth of an informed and engaged society, influence public discourse, stifle freedom of expression

digital divide:
-can increase the gap in access to information and online resources for marginalised communities with restricted internet access

Question 39

What are some ethical issues with censorship on the internet? (2)

Answer 39

privacy and surveillance:
-censorship measures rely on invasive surveillance and monitoring of online activities, such practices can challenge individuals’ fundamental right to privacy

right to information:
-issues revolve around protecting individuals’ right to access accurate and diverse information, which is essential for informed decision-making

Question 40

What are some moral issues with monitoring behaviour? (3)

Answer 40

privacy:
-can infringe upon individuals’ right to privacy, raising moral questions about the balance between security needs and respecting personal freedoms

individual autonomy:
-may challenge individuals’ autonomy, leading to feelings of being constantly watched and restricted in their actions

justifications:
-clear and justifiable reasons for implementation are essential to maintain moral integrity

Question 41

What are some social issues with monitoring behaviour? (2)

Answer 41

social norms and stigma:
-may lead to social norms that promote self-censorship and a fear of expressing dissenting opinions, stifling open dialogue

impact on vulnerable groups:
-may be disproportionately affected by monitoring, leading to discrimination and mistrust

Question 42

What are some ethical issues with monitoring behaviour?

Answer 42

data security and privacy:
-require robust data security measures to protect the sensitive information collected through monitoring

transparency and accountability:
-ethical monitoring demands transparency about the purposes and methods of data collection and accountability for its use

minimisation:
-should minimise the collection of unnecessary data and limit its use to the intended purposes only

Question 43

How is personal data analysed?

Answer 43

data mining
machine learning
using AI

Question 44

What are some moral issues when analysing personal information? (2)

Answer 44

consent:
-obtaining informed consent from individuals before gathering, storing, and analysing their personal information is crucial

equity:
-obligation to ensure that the benefits derived from analysing personal information are distributed equitably and do not disproportionately favour specific groups

Question 45

What are some social issues when analysing personal information? (2)

Answer 45

privacy:
-the use of computers to manage this data increases the risk of privacy breaches with significant social implications

digital divide:
-the use of computers in managing health data may inadvertently exclude those who lack access to digital technology, leading to social inequity

Question 46

What are some ethical issues when analysing personal information?

Answer 46

data security:
-ethical obligation to protect this data from breaches, theft, or misuse

transparency and accountability:
-organisations must be transparent about how personal information is used and be held accountable for any misuse of the data

Question 47

What is piracy?

Answer 47

involves the unauthorised use, distribution, or reproduction of copyrighted material

Question 48

What are types of piracy? (3)

Answer 48

software piracy: the unauthorised copying, distribution, or use of copyrighted software.

music and film piracy: involves the unauthorised copying and distribution of copyrighted music and films

ebook piracy: involves the unauthorised distribution of digital books or the creation of digital books from physically copied ones

Question 49

What are some moral issues with piracy? (1)

Answer 49

violation of intellectual property rights:
-involves using someone’s creative output without permission, thus crossing moral boundaries set by respect for others’ rightful ownership

Question 50

What are some social issues with piracy? (2)

Answer 50

promotes knowledge sharing:
-might be seen as a tool that encourages the sharing and dissemination of knowledge and information, thereby contributing to an open-source culture

economic consequences:
-inflicting financial losses on creators and industries leading to job losses and slow economic development, thereby negatively affecting societies at large

Question 51

What are some ethical issues with piracy? (1)

Answer 51

promotion of unethical practices:
-can foster a culture of dishonesty and unfair practices, undermining societal and ethical norms by encouraging the unauthorised use and distribution of copyrighted material

Question 52

What is UX (user experience)?

Answer 52

-refers to the process of creating products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users
-include layout, colour paradigms, and character sets, each playing a significant role in enhancing user interaction with the product

Question 53

What are some issues which need to be considered with UX design? (5)

Answer 53

-websites should have a colour scheme which can be distinguishable with those who have colour blindness

-developers should have an awareness of cultural meaning of colours

-should have different language and character sets to cater to users worldwide

-allow personalisation with text sizes, image sizes for those with poor eyesight

-easy navigation with keyboard and mouse or other hardware to increase accessibility