1.5 Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues Flashcards
State the data protection act (1998). Give some examples of personal data which can apply to this
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
What are the eight principles of the data protection act?
- Personal data must be fairly and lawfully processed
- Personal data must be collected for specified and lawful purposes
- Personal data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive
- Personal data must be kept accurate and up to date
- Personal data will not be kept for longer than is necessary
- Personal data must be processed in line with people’s rights
- Personal data must be held securely
- Personal data must not be transferred to countries outside the European Economic Area unless those countries have similar data protection laws
Define personal data
any information relating to an identified or identifiable person
Define data subject
a person who can be identified, directly or indirectly, from a data set
Define data controller
determines the purposes and the way personal data is to be collected and processed
Define data processor
the person or organisation that handles personal data on behalf of the data controller
Data protection officer
independent person responsible for the implementation of data protection in an organisation
Define information commissioner
the UK’s independent authority upholding information rights in the public’s interest
What are some exemptions to the data protection act?
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
State the computer misuse act (1990)
the computer misuse act 1990 is a legislation intended to provide unauthorised access and modification of electronic data
What are the four activities which are illegal under the computer misuse act?
-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
What are some issues which arise with the computer misuse act? (5)
-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
State the copyright design and patents act (1988)
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
What are some primary breaches which are illegal under the copyright and design patents act? (5)
-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
What are some secondary breaches which are illegal under the copyright and design patents act? (5)
-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
State the regulation of investigatory powers act (2000)
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
What rights and impacts does the regulation of investigatory powers act do on organisations/public bodies? (6)
-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
What issues should be mentioned when talking about topics?
moral issues
social issues
ethical issues
cultural issues
What are some moral issues with computers in the workforce? (3)
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]
What are some ethical issues with computers in the workforce? (3)
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]
What are some social issues with computers in the workforce? (2)
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]
What do we mean by automated decision making?
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
What are some moral issues with automated decision making? (2)
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
What are some social issues with automated decision making? (1)
impact on employment:
-may lead to job displacement, affecting the workforce and raising concerns about economic stability
What are some ethical issues with automated decision making? (2)
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
What is AI (artificial intelligence)?
intelligent machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence
What are some moral issues with AI? (4)
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]
What are some social issues with AI? (7)
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
What are some ethical issues with AI? (3)
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
What is electronic waste?
discarded electronic or electrical devices
What are some ways to properly dispose electronic waste?
-repairing and reusing devices
-recycling
-disposal at designated facilities
-erase personal data before disposing
What are some moral issues with the environmental effects of computers? (2)
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
What are some social issues with the environmental effects of computers? (2)
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,
What are some ethical issues with the environmental effects of computers? (3)
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
What is censorship?
refers to the control or suppression of information, ideas, or content available online
What are some reasons for internet censorship?
protecting National Security
restricting Harmful Content
preserving Cultural Norms
combating Disinformation
What are some moral issues with censorship on the internet? (3)
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
What are some social issues with censorship on the internet? (2)
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
What are some ethical issues with censorship on the internet? (2)
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
What are some moral issues with monitoring behaviour? (3)
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
What are some social issues with monitoring behaviour? (2)
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
What are some ethical issues with monitoring behaviour?
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
How is personal data analysed?
data mining
machine learning
using AI
What are some moral issues when analysing personal information? (2)
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
What are some social issues when analysing personal information? (2)
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
What are some ethical issues when analysing personal information?
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
What is piracy?
involves the unauthorised use, distribution, or reproduction of copyrighted material
What are types of piracy? (3)
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
What are some moral issues with piracy? (1)
violation of intellectual property rights:
-involves using someone’s creative output without permission, thus crossing moral boundaries set by respect for others’ rightful ownership
What are some social issues with piracy? (2)
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
What are some ethical issues with piracy? (1)
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
What is UX (user experience)?
-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
What are some issues which need to be considered with UX design? (5)
-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
