lgal and ethical and enviromental issues Flashcards
(12 cards)
Cyber Security
Ethical Issues:
Users expect their data to be kept private and secure.
Organizations have a moral duty to protect personal data from breaches.
Legal Issues:
Data Protection Laws (e.g., GDPR) require companies to handle data responsibly.
Cyber attacks like phishing, malware, and ransomware are criminal offenses.
Environmental Issues:
Cybersecurity systems require energy-intensive servers and infrastructure.
Privacy Risk:
Breaches can expose personal, financial, or health information.
Mobile Technologies
Ethical Issues:
Mobile apps often track location and usage without clear consent.
Exploiting user data for targeted advertising without transparency is unethical.
Legal Issues:
Apps must comply with data protection laws when collecting user data.
There are restrictions on tracking and storing children’s data.
Environmental Issues:
Phones are often replaced frequently, contributing to e-waste.
Mining for materials like lithium affects ecosystems.
Privacy Risk:
Mobile devices store vast amounts of personal data and are vulnerable to theft or spying.
Wireless Networking
Ethical Issues:
Open or insecure networks can be exploited by attackers.
Users might unknowingly connect to malicious hotspots.
Legal Issues:
Intercepting wireless data or unauthorized access is illegal.
Companies must secure customer communications.
Environmental Issues:
Wireless routers and mobile towers consume energy continuously.
Privacy Risk:
Data transmitted over Wi-Fi can be intercepted if not encrypted properly.
Cloud Storage
Ethical Issues:
Users may not understand where or how their data is stored.
There are concerns about who has access—especially in foreign jurisdictions.
Legal Issues:
Cross-border data laws apply—data may be stored in countries with different regulations.
Providers must ensure data is backed up and secure.
Environmental Issues:
Data centers use significant energy and water for cooling.
Privacy Risk:
If not properly secured, cloud data can be accessed by hackers or even employees of the provider.
Hacking (Unauthorised Access)
Ethical Issues:
Hacking violates the right to privacy and trust.
Even “ethical hacking” must follow rules and consent.
Legal Issues:
Illegal under computer misuse laws.
Severe penalties for accessing or modifying systems without permission.
Environmental Issues:
Minor; mostly indirect through resource use for recovery.
Privacy Risk:
Hacked data can lead to identity theft, financial loss, or reputational damage.
Wearable Technologies
Ethical Issues:
Constant tracking of health, location, and activity may invade privacy.
Employers using wearables to monitor staff raises ethical questions.
Legal Issues:
Data collected must comply with health and data protection laws.
Consent must be clearly obtained.
Environmental Issues:
Wearables add to e-waste and often have non-replaceable batteries.
Privacy Risk:
Highly personal health data could be misused or sold to third parties.
Computer-Based Implants
Ethical Issues:
Raises concerns about bodily autonomy and consent.
Potential for tracking or controlling individuals.
Legal Issues:
Regulation is strict in medical contexts but less clear in consumer products.
Must protect against malfunction or hacking.
Environmental Issues:
Hard to recycle and may require rare materials.
Privacy Risk:
Could reveal intimate medical data or location if connected to networks.
Autonomous Vehicles
Ethical Issues:
Who is responsible in a crash—human, manufacturer, or AI?
Programming decisions (e.g., how to avoid accidents) involve moral dilemmas.
Legal Issues:
Laws are still developing on liability and road use.
Must ensure safety and data security compliance.
Environmental Issues:
Electric vehicles reduce emissions but require battery production.
Self-driving systems use significant computing power.
Privacy Risk:
Vehicles collect real-time location and usage data—could be used for surveillance.
Data Privacy vs. National Security:
Individuals value their privacy, but governments argue surveillance helps prevent terrorism and crime. This balance is debated globally.
Responsibility and Consent:
Clear consent and responsible data use are ethical cornerstones.
Environmental Sustainability:
Every device and network uses resources—design and disposal impact the planet.
Security by Design:
Building secure systems helps prevent risks from the start.