Ethical Impacts (AQA GCSE Computer Science): Revision Notes
Ethical impacts
What are ethics?
Ethics are all about what people believe to be right and wrong in different situations. While most people generally agree on basic moral principles, there isn't always a clear-cut definition of what counts as ethical behaviour in every scenario.
When it comes to using computer technology, ethical behaviour means acting responsibly and making sure that no harm comes to other people. It's important to understand that ethics and laws are different things - something might be immoral (against ethical standards) but not necessarily illegal. However, good legal systems are usually built on ethical foundations.
Key term: Immoral - Not following accepted standards of behaviour that society considers right and proper.
Professional codes of ethics
Since ethics can be quite personal, many organisations have created specific ethical guidelines for people working in computing. These codes help professionals make the right decisions when facing difficult situations.
The BCS (British Computer Society) has established ethical standards that computing professionals should follow. These provide crucial guidance for maintaining professional integrity in the computing field.
BCS Ethical Standards include:
- Not taking on work that's beyond your skills and abilities
- Not bringing shame to the computing profession
- Avoiding actions that could hurt others
- Never accepting bribes or engaging in corruption
The ten commandments for computer ethics
The Computer Ethics Institute created a helpful list of ten key principles that guide ethical computer use. These "commandments" provide clear guidance on how to behave responsibly with technology:
- Don't use computers to harm others - Never use technology to hurt, intimidate, or damage other people
- Don't interfere with other people's computer work - Respect what others are doing and don't disrupt their projects
- Don't snoop through other people's files - Respect privacy and don't look through someone else's personal data
- Don't use computers for stealing - Never use technology to take things that don't belong to you
- Don't give false testimony - Always be honest and don't lie when using computer systems
- Don't use software you haven't paid for - Respect copyright and only use properly licensed software
- Don't use others' computer resources without permission - Get proper authorisation before using someone else's computing power or storage
- Don't steal intellectual property - Respect other people's creative work and don't claim it as your own
- Think about social consequences - Consider how your programmes or systems might affect society and other people
- Always show respect for other humans - Use computers in ways that demonstrate consideration and respect for fellow human beings
Legal impacts of technology
The widespread use of computers has created the need for new laws to address various types of crimes that didn't exist before digital technology became common. Computers have become associated with many different criminal activities that require specific legal responses.
Common Computer-Related Crimes:
- Unauthorized access - Breaking into data systems or computers to steal information or cause damage
- Identity theft - Stealing someone's personal information to pretend to be them
- Software piracy - Illegally copying and distributing software without permission
- Fraud - Using computers to trick people out of money or valuable items
- Harassment and trolling - Using technology to bully, threaten, or upset other people
These laws exist to prevent the misuse of computer systems and vary from country to country. Breaking these laws is a serious criminal offence that can result in significant penalties.
Key legislation: Data protection
The Data Protection Act 2018
Organisations today collect, store, and process enormous amounts of personal data about individuals. The Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 is the UK's way of implementing important rules about how this personal information should be handled safely and responsibly.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
GDPR is a Europe-wide law that gives individuals strong rights over their personal data. This legislation is crucial because it helps protect people's privacy and gives them more control over how their personal information is used by companies and organisations.
GDPR Requirements for Organisations:
- Collect personal data responsibly
- Store it securely
- Process it in ways that protect the individual
- Respect people's rights to control their own information
Key Points to Remember:
- Ethics are about right and wrong - They guide how we should behave responsibly with technology, even when no laws are broken
- Professional codes exist for a reason - Organisations like BCS provide clear ethical guidelines for computing professionals to follow
- The ten commandments cover key principles - They provide practical guidance for ethical computer use in everyday situations
- New laws address new crimes - Digital technology has created new types of criminal activity that require specific legal responses
- Data protection is essential - Laws like GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 help protect people's personal information and privacy rights