1 of 1

Knowledge Organiser 8 : Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Concerns

  1. Environmental Impact

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are consumed in the manufacturing of computer devices

Energy

2% of global energy consumption is used by data centres

Disposal

Old computing equipment is often shipped to countries with lower standards for disposal. People trawl through waste looking for metals to be recycled and sold, exposing themselves to danger.

  1. Privacy Issues

Implications

  • Implications for personal privacy have arisen due to the vast array of cameras and surveillance systems around.
  • The amount of data that we share and that is recorded about us is growing hugely
  • Free speech / freedom of expression / right to personal privacy vs. Law and Order / Public security / government’s role
  1. Cultural Issues

Implications

  • The impact of technology in our daily lives (Technology is changing how people live their lives today. We have an ever increasing dependency on technology in the 21st Century)
  • The digital divide (Access to technology and the Internet is not the same across the world)
  • Globalisaion (As people around the world become more exposed to technology this impacts on the values and expectations of the people in each country)

Positive Effects

  • In the developing world, the rapid spread of technology, fueled by the Internet has led to positive cultural changes in developing countries.
  • Easier, faster communication has contributed to the rise of democracy, as well as working towards the alleviation of poverty.
  • Globalisation can also increase cultural awareness and promote diversity

Negative Effects

  • Diffusion of technology must be carefully controlled to prevent negative cultural consequences.
  • Developing countries risk losing their cultural identities and assimilating themselves into an increasingly westernised world.
  • Challenges of inequality from the uneven distribution of technology within a country also still remain
  • Traditionally, most computer applications are designed by developers in North America. These designers unintentionally apply their cultural values and systems of thought whilst developing computer applications
  1. Impacts of Digital Technology on Wider Society

Customers

Customers can do more from home with less travelling involved. They can do things 24/7. They can access their data on many devices. Computers can make instant decisions without human involvement. Potentially open to hacking. Less personal

Staff

Job losses as things become more automated. New types of jobs created that didn’t previously exist. Up-skilling required

Companies

Less overheads (salary, rent, utility bills) if fewer staff and buildings required. More ways to target potential customers. Increased importance of data protection and security

Local Communities

Local shops may suffer is town centres are more empty. Elderly and vulnerable customers may have nowhere local to go as local services are scaled back

  1. Legislation

Data Protection Act (2018) [implementing GDPR]

  • Data must be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner.
  • Data must only be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate.
  • Data must be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary.
  • Data you collect must be accurate and kept up to date.
  • Data you hold must be kept for no longer than is necessary.
  • Data you hold must be processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data.
  • Data controllers must be able to prove that their data protection measures are sufficient

Computer Misuse Act (1990)

It is illegal to make any unauthorised access to data…�…with the intent to commit further offences�…with the intent to modify data, e.g. viruses

Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1998)

It is illegal to copy, modify or distribute software, music, videos or other intellectual property without permission from the author

  1. Open Source vs Proprietary Source

Open Source

Users can modify and distribute the software. Can be installed on any number of computers. Support provided by the community. May not be fully tested. Users have access to the source code

Proprietary Source

Users cannot modify the software.  Protected by CD&P Act. Usually paid for and licensed per user or per computer. Supported by developers. Users do not have access to the source code. Tested by developers prior to release.  Although they may run beta programs.