1.6.1 - Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact

What is morally wrong or right - irrespective of being legal.

Data misuse - companies collecting more data than necessary. Surveillance - tracking users without clear consent. AI bias - Algorithms reflecting human prejudice. Automation and jobs - replacing human workers. Digital divide - unequal access to technology, leading to further inequality. Planned obsolescence - technology which is deliberately designed to become obsolete quickly.

Laws that must be followed when using technology.

Hacking. Data breaches. Software piracy. Copyright infringement.

How technology affects peoples behaviour, communications and cultural values.

Global communication. Cultural sharing. Online education. Cyberbullying. Increased use of screens.

How the digital and technological world significantly impacts the environment.

E-waste - discarded phones, laptops, devices, all contributing to landfill and releasing toxic chemicals. Energy use - technology and data centres use vast amounts of energy. Carbon footprint - production and shipping of devices. Global warming. Rare earth mining - for technological components. Damages ecosystems massively.

Related to the control of data and personal information, and when this is breached.

Data leaks. Identity theft. Location tracking. Unclear consent. Insecure storage of data.

A piece of legislation which is designed to protect an individual’s personal data.

• Data must be processed lawfully, fairly and transparently. 2.Data must be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes. • Data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive. • Data must be accurate and kept up to date. • Data must not be kept for longer than necessary. • Data must be kept secure and protected against unauthorised access or loss.

A piece of legislation which was created to make it illegal to access any unauthorised data with the intent to commit further offences or to modify any existing data.

Unauthorised access to computer material. Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate a crime. Unauthorised modification of software or data. Making, supplying or obtaining anything which can be used in computer misuse offences. others: Unauthorised work. Hacking. Fraud. Planting of viruses. Data theft. Deliberate data destruction.

A piece of legislation which makes it illegal to copy any work without the owner or copyright holders permission. Purpose: To protect creators’ original work and allow them to control how it is used.

Software piracy - the illegal copying or downloading of software. People getting away with stealing and copying other technological ideas - provides the owners the ability to use this in courts.

They explain how software can be used, what users are allowed to do and what is prohibited. The most famous examples of open source vs proprietary is Linux OS vs Microsoft Windows.

Open source software is freely available and it’s source code is also open to everybody.

Users can modify and distribute the software meaning more features can be implemented and bugs can be identified and solved quicker. Can be installed on any number of computers. Support provided by community. Customistable.

May not be fully tested. Less official support. Requires technical skill?

With proprietary software, users cannot access source code (it is hidden) and often paid for or licensed per user.

Supported by developers. Tested by developers prior to release. Reliable updates. User friendly?

Cost can be significant. May not fully meet the needs of the user. Users cannot modify the software.