(todo open source & proprietary) Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Impact - Paper 1

Question 1

Describe ethical issues in computing.

Answer 1

Ensuring public safety - new technologies introduce safety concerns, e.g. self-driving cars ensuring safety of passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.
Data security - personal data is precious, but hackers and malware distributors may gain and abuse personal data.

Question 2

Describe cultural issues in computing.

Answer 2

Digital divide - many are completely comfortable with technology, many are not; many can afford new technologies, many cannot; many have good computer skills, many do not.
Changing nature of employment - technology has made many manual process roles redundant, introducing higher-skilled work in system maintenance. Working from home has also been introduced.

Question 3

Describe environmental issues in computing.

Answer 3

• Many computers run continuously, requiring lots of energy to maintain.
• Many computer components are hard to recycle or contain toxic materials (e.g. lead).
• Many people discard equipment quickly - replacing smartphones and computers every few years.

Question 4

How can computers be unlawfully used?

Answer 4

• Illegally sharing personal data.
• Stealing financial information.
• Illegally copying and distributing copyrighted material.
• Extorting information or blackmailing someone.

Question 5

List laws introduced in the UK to help protect people, their data and their work.

Answer 5

• Data Protection Act 1998 and 2018
• Computer Misuse Act 1990
• Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
• Investigatory Powers Act 2016
• Creative Commons Licensing
• Freedom of Information Act 2000

Question 6

Explain the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

Question 7

List similarities between the Data Protection Act 1998 and 2018.

Answer 7

• Personal data must be fairly and lawfully processed
• Personal data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive
• Personal data must be accurate and up to date
• Personal data must not be kept for longer than is necessary
• Personal data must be obtained for specified (‘and lawful’ - 1998, ‘explicit and legitimate’ - 2018) purposes

Question 8

List the actions declared unlawful in the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Answer 8

• To intentionally access data stored on a computer without permission.
• To access data on a computer to later use for further illegal activity, e.g. fraud or blackmail.
• To intentionally make changes to any data stored on a computer without permission (this includes malware).

Question 9

Explain the relevance of computers to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Question 10

List differences between the Data Protection Act 1998 and 2018.

Answer 10

• 2018 - Personal data must be handled in a way that ensures security
• 1998 - Personal data must be processed in line with your rights
• 1998 - Personal data must be held securely
• 1998 - Personal data must not be transferred to other countries outside the European Economic Area

Question 11

Define copyright

Answer 11

Copyright is a set of rights that prevents people copying and distributing a piece of work without the copyright holder’s permission.