Economic, Moral, Legal, Ethical and Cultural issues Flashcards
Economic
This term relates to money. The economic effects of computer science include the ease with which money can be transferred across the globe as well as unemployment as a result of computer efficiency.
Moral and Ethical
These terms relate to what is right and wrong and are not clear-cut. When parent monitor their children’s internet activity.
Legal
This term means relating to laws, the most relevant of which are described below.
Cultural
This term relates to how society works. Politics is increasingly digitised in contemporary society, owning a smartphone is increasingly the norm and people can more easily meet others from beyond their own circle, the term ‘cultural’ can mean anything relating to human civilisation.
8 Principles of the Data Protection Act
- A company keeping personal data must register with the Data Commissioner
- Data must be obtained and processed lawfully
- It cannot be shared with others without consent
- Data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive
- Data must be up-to-date and accurate
- it must be stored no longer than necessary
- There must be the facility to correct incorrect information
- Data can only be exported outside the European Community to countries which also possess adequate data protection laws
Exemptions from the Data Protection Act
If the information is:
- Held to safeguard national security
- Used to prevent crime
- Used to collect taxes
- Used in journalism for historical purposes
Computer Misuse Act
- Unauthorised access to computer material, data or programs
- Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences
- Unauthorised modification of computer material
Freedom of Information Act
- Public authorities are obliged to publish certain information about their activities
- Members of the public are entitled to request information from public authorities.
Copyright Act
Copyright gives the creators of artistic and creative works the right to choose how their material is used.
Offences under the copyright act
- Copy the work
- Rent, lend or issue copies of work to the public
- Adapt the work in regards to take an existing piece of software, add to it and sell it
Effect on Employment
Advantages: New jobs have been created, Computers speed up the repetitive boring part of jobs reliably, leaving people free to do the creative interesting parts, and computers are cheaper to run, so have led to a reduction in the cost of manufactured goods.
Disadvantages: Some jobs have disappeared completely, People worry about not being able to use new systems/People need to update their IT skills to remain in employment as computers are becoming more commonly used to perform tasks, and Computer systems can be expensive to install.
Environmental Effects
Advantages: Computers can replace paper documents saving trees and processing, Computer networks can be used to send products such as files or music that would otherwise have to be shipped or sent in planes.
Disadvantages: Computers are made up of rare chemicals that need to be mined, Computers are made up of toxic chemicals that are often not properly disposed of, Computers use electricity, most of which comes from burning fossil fuels.
Unrestricted access to the internet
Advantages: People can share and access information that would be very difficult for them to obtain without the internet, People can spread news of atrocities and corruption very quickly, ultimately helping to bring those responsible to justice. Disadvantages: Automated filters make it easy for governments to monitor millions of citizens, It is very easy to distribute false information or unconfirmed rumours, and people can access vast amounts of illegal information such as extreme pornography and other illegal websites.
