CS7: Ethical, Legal & Environmental Impacts [Dodgy]

Question 1

What is Open-Source Software?

Answer 1

Software whose source code is open to the public for viewing, modifying and distribution

Question 2

What are the advantages and Disadvantages of Open-Source Software?

Answer 2

Advantages:
● Usually free
● maintained by a large community
● encourages collaboration
● encourages rapid development

Disadvantages:
● Usually no warranty or guarantee
● May not receive regular updates
● May not have customer support

Question 3

What is Propriety software?

Answer 3

Software whose source code is not available to the public, but for which a licence to use can be bought

Question 4

With Propriety software, it is illegal to…

Answer 4

● Modify it
● Copy it
● Redistribute it

Question 5

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Propriety software?

Answer 5

Advantages:
● Comes with a warranty or guarantee
● Often has customer support
● Thoroughly tested and reliable
● Easier to install and use for AVG user

Disadvantages:
● Source code isn’t available - can’t be fixed or modifies
● Might not do what is wanted
● Can be expensive
● Older versions may not be maintained

Question 6

What are some issues with licensing Open-source software?

Answer 6

If parts of a bigger piece of software are open source, that software must also be open-source, which can make it hard to sell

Question 7

What is the digital divide, and what issues does it cause? ETH

Answer 7

● The digital divide is the inequality between those who have access to technology and those who don’t
↳ Those without are disadvantaged in education, welfare and career opportunities

Question 8

What is Net Neutrality, and what issues will its collapse cause? ETH

Answer 8

● Net neutrality is the idea that every packet is treated with equal priority, making response times equal
↳ Some companies want to pay for ISPs to prioritise their packets over competition
↳ This would destroy net neutrality and allow large rich tech companies to control the internet to a larger extent

Question 9

What issues arise with the production of electronics? ETH

Answer 9

● Many electronics are produced abroad in factories with lots of exploited workers.
↳ Consumers often have no choice in what conditions their electronics are produced

Question 10

What is Censorship? ETH

Answer 10

When governments restrict what their citizens can access online

Question 11

What are some advantages and disadvantages of Censorship? ETH

Answer 11

Advantages:
● Keeps people safe online
● Blocks illegal content

Disadvantages:
● Some censor websites with opposing political views
● Some block communication with other countries

Question 12

Which act was introduced in 1998?

Answer 12

The Data Protection Act (DPA)

Question 13

What are the eight principles of the DPA?

Answer 13

1. Data must be processed lawfully
2. Data must be used for its stated purpose
3. Data must be relevant and adequate
4. Data must be accurate & up-to-date
5. Data must not be kept longer than necessary
6. Data must be used according to the data subject’s rights
7. Data must be kept safe and secure
8. Data must not be transferred to a country with a lower level of protection

Question 14

Which act was introduced in 1990?

Answer 14

The Computer Misuse Act (CMA)

Question 15

What are the three offences of the CMA?

Answer 15

● Unauthorised Access
● Unauthorised Modification
↳ Includes creating, obtaining and deploying malware
● Unauthorised access with intent
↳ With intent to commit criminal activity

Question 16

Which act was introduced in 2000?

Answer 16

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI)

Question 17

What does the FOI establish?

Answer 17

● Public bodies must regularly publish certain data
● Members of the public have the right to demand data (such as CCTV footage, Statistics, financial info and activity logs) from public bodies unless
↳ It would harm an individual
↳ It would endanger national security

Question 18

What is Creative Common’s Licensing?

Answer 18

A common licence framework that allows content creators to permit others to use their work

Question 19

What is CC attribution?

Answer 19

As long as the creator is credited, the work can be…
● shared
● copied
● modified

Question 20

What is CC Share-alike?

Answer 20

Work must be redistributed under the same licence as the original

Question 21

What is CC non-commercial?

Answer 21

Works can be used as long as no profit is being made from them

Question 22

What is CC no-derivatives?

Answer 22

Work can be shared and distributed, but not modified

Question 23

Which act was introduced in 1988?

Answer 23

The Copyright Designs and Patents Act

Question 24

What is Copyright?

Answer 24

A legislation that automatically applies to  any physically-expressed original work. It makes it illegal to:
● Copy material
● Share material
● Use unlicensed software
● plagiarise someone’s original work

Question 25

What is a Patent?

Answer 25

A registered legal protection over ideas and concepts (can be hardware or software)

Question 26

What copyright-related issues exist?

Answer 26

● File sharing is very easy
● Digital data representation allows perfect copies to be made
● Uncertainty over whether website owners are responsible for uploaded illegal content

Question 27

What is E-waste?

Answer 27

Discarded electronic devices

Question 28

What contributes to Unnecessary E-waste?

Answer 28

● Manufacturers make devices that are cheaper to replace than to repair
● Consumers replace older, working models with newer devices

Question 29

Why is E-waste dangerous?

Answer 29

E-waste can contain dangerous toxic chemicals

Question 30

What is the current issue with E-waste disposal?

Answer 30

Companies are bypassing strict rules on E-waste disposal by exporting it to other countries with fewer regulations

Question 31

What is one of the largest technological energy consumers?

Answer 31

● The cooling and running of Data Centres

Question 32

How can data centre energy consumption be reduced?

Answer 32

● Alternating aisles of cool and hot air

● Server virtualisation - No redundant servers

Question 33

What Positive impacts has Technology had on the world?

Answer 33

● Simulations have improved the efficiency of wind turbines and engines
● Computers have allowed the monitoring and prediction of climate change
● Online communication has reduced travel emissions that would be produced by travelling to meetings

Question 34

What positive cultural impacts has Technology had?

Answer 34

● Welfare
↳ Applying for benefits and services
● Social Interaction
↳ Allows people to connect with family
● Health
↳ Can improve health through AI, computerised imaging and modelling diseases
● Education
↳ Access to some courses for free
● Work-Life Balance
↳ Gives employees the freedom to work from anywhere at any time

Question 35

What Negative Cultural Impacts has technology had?

Answer 35

● Education
↳ Poorer schools can’t afford expensive technology, and this contributes to the digital divide
● Work-Life Balance
↳ Unlimited access to work can cause poor relationships, less rest and stress
● Fake News
↳ Many young people get news from social media, where fake news can spread very quickly
● Health
↳ Overuse of technology can lead to RSI, eye strain, Neck and Back problems and a lack of exercise
● Social Interaction
↳ Cyberbullying and trolling can be stressing
↳ Other’s Idealised lives can lead others to be dissatisfied with their own life

Question 36

How can your activity online be tracked?

Answer 36

● Using cookies to track your internet history
● Tracking what you purchase
● Tracking terms you have searched for

Question 37

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

Answer 37

A Network of physical devices and applications that can exchange data

Question 38

Why do some people think the IoT is an issue?

Answer 38

● The IoT can record…
↳ your location and movement history
↳ What you look like
● The government may use it for citizen surveillance