17. Economic, moral, legal, ethical and cultural issues relating to computer science (NF)

Question 1

What is the Computer Misuse Act 1990?

Answer 1

It makes the following actions illegal:
- unauthorised access to computer systems
- unauthorised access to digital materials with the intent of committing a further crime
- unauthorised altering of data
- making, supplying or obtaining tools used to commit computer misuse offences

(these are in order of severity)

Question 2

What are the penalties for breaking the CMA?

Answer 2

Unauthorized access: fine up to £5,000, imprisonment up to 6 months
UA with the intent to commit further crime or unauthorized altering of data: unlimited fine, imprisonment p to five years
Making tools used to commit CMA offences: unlimited fine, imprisonment up to ten years

Question 3

What is the Copyright and Patents Act 1988?

Answer 3

It makes it illegal to copy any work without the owner or copyright holder’s permission. It does not prevent work from being copied, but the owner can take legal action if this happens. Any product you make is automatically protected by copyright.

Question 4

What is the Investigatory Powers Act 2016?

Answer 4

It provides clear legal guidelines for organisations such as the police to carry out surveillance on and access digital communications such as emails and phone calls. It makes it a crime for anyone unauthorized to do these things. The aim of the act is to prevent crimes and ensure national security.

Question 5

What is the Freedom of Information Act 2000?

Answer 5

The main principle is that people have the right to know about the activities of public authorities, unless there is good reason as to why this information can’t be shared. This means that public authorities are obliged to publish certain information, and members of the public are entitled to request information from them. Exemptions include:
- information held for criminal investigations
- correspondence with the royal family
- where disclosure may cause harm

Question 6

What is the Data Protection Act 2018?

Answer 6

It states that data must be:
- processed in a manner that ensures it’s security
- kept for no longer than necessary
- accurate and up to date where necessary
- adequate, relevant and limited
- collected for specified, legitimate and explicit reasons
- processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner

Question 7

What data is covered by the DPA?

Answer 7

Personal data: name, address, banking details etc.
Sensitive data: ethnicity, genetics, sexuality etc.