1.6 – Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology

Question 1

What is the Computer Misuse Act?

Answer 1

Legislation which makes it illegal to make unauthorised access to data with the internet
(eg makes viruses illegal)

Question 2

What is the Copyright Designs and Patents Act?

Answer 2

Gives creators of works the right to control ways in which their material may be used
(eg illegal to copy, modify or distribute software without owners perms)

Question 3

What is the Data Protection Act?

Answer 3

Protects individuals from unreasonable use of their stored personal data

Question 4

What is Open Source Software?

Answer 4

Software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified

Question 5

What is Proprietary Software?

Answer 5

Software owned by a company where the source code is not made available to the public and is protected by copyright

Question 6

What are Software Licences?

Answer 6

A set of binding legal terms for commercial software, dictating how you can use the software
eg. personal use only, company use, only on one computer etc.

Question 7

What are three of the DPA principles?

Answer 7

Data must be fairly and lawfully processed
Data must be accurate and up to date
Data must be held securely