Problems with computers

• Moral = right and wrong
• Ethical = hoe consequences might affect individuals and groups of people
• Legal = the law
• Cultural = how society will change
• Governments, firms and organisations are increasingly able to capture vast quantities of data about people. Data such as: location, browsing, shopping habits, contact details
• Collecting data on people can allow for behaviors to be monitored and it can be potentially published and distributed without the users consent
• Computer Misuse Act - illegal to attempt to gain unauthorised access to a computer system, including attempting to copy, edit and delete data
• Data Protection Act:

  • Data must be kept secure
  • Data collected must be relevant
  • Data must only be used for the purpose stated when collected
  • Data can not be kept longer then necessary
• Copyright, Design and Patents Act: any original work is protected by copyright law and can not be copied or re-distributed without permission
• Regulation of Investigatory Power Act: the power the police and other authorities have to demand access to personal data by online services, with the need to allow investigation that are in the interests of national security, missing persons, or convicting criminals.
• Digital Divide : describes the gap between people who have access to affordable, reliable internet service (and the skills and gadgets necessary to take advantage of that access) and those who lack it