1.6 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology Flashcards
What are the ethical issues of digital technology
What will software prioritise if it was faced with an issue, e.g. safety of passenger or safety of others
People try to get access to other people’s personal information
What are the legal issues of digital technology
People illegally share personal data
Stealing financial information
Illegally copying and distributing copyrighted data
Extorting information
Blackmailing someone
What are the cultural issues of digital technology
Some people are comfortable with using technology while others aren’t so much
Not everyone can afford the latest technologies
Not everyone has access to the same levels of technology
Many companies allow workers to work from home
Many technology-based jobs have been moved abroad, where costs are cheaper
What are the environmental issues of digital technology
Metals and plastics are used to manufacture components, while energy is expended in distributing equipment and in using it
Many computers, such as web servers, domain name servers and data centres, need to be left running continuously
Hard to recycle or contain toxic materials, such as lead
What are the principles for the Data Protection Act (2018)
Used fairly, lawfully, and transparently
Used for a specific purpose
Used for what is necessary
Accurate and kept up to date
Kept for no longer than necessary
Keep it secure
What does the Computer Misuse Act do (1990)
Makes it illegal for anyone to break into a computer system, or to change programs or data without permission
What are the sections of the Computer Misuse Act and their penalties
Section 1:
Unauthorised access to a computer
Two year prison sentence and a £5000 fine
Section 2:
Unauthorised access to a computer in order to commit or facilitate another offence, e.g. fraud
Ten-year prison sentence and unlimited fine
Section 3:
Unauthorised acts that impair, or could impair, the operation of a computer, e.g. ransomware
Ten-year prison sentence and unlimited fine
What does the copyright design and patents act do
Allows an individual or organisation that has created a piece of original work the right to control the use of their work. The owner’s rights cover the way that the work can be used, e.g. copying
What is the difference between copyright, a patent and trademark
Copyright - protect original work
Patent - protects ideas
Trademark - protect indications of a commercial source
What does a software licence do
A legal contract between software creator and end user, designed to copyright and protect software as intellectual property
