moral,legal,ethical issues Flashcards
(4 cards)
Moral Issues (Personal, Ethical Responsibility) - what does this refer to?
These relate to what is “right” or “wrong” when developing or using technology, especially where there are no clear laws, but still strong ethical expectations.
Moral Issues in Computing – 10 Key Points
Privacy – Is it morally right to collect user data without explicit consent?
Surveillance – Use of CCTV, GPS tracking and facial recognition raises ethical concerns.
Informed consent – Users must be made aware of what data is being collected and how it’s used.
Bias in algorithms – Algorithms can reinforce societal biases (e.g., racism, sexism).
Digital divide – Unequal access to technology raises fairness issues.
Autonomous systems – Self-driving cars and military drones raise accountability questions.
Dependency – Overreliance on AI or automation may undermine human judgement.
Manipulation – Algorithms that promote addictive behaviours (e.g., endless scroll) may exploit users.
Misinformation – Developers of platforms that host false information may have a moral duty to act.
Environmental impact – Energy usage in data centres and mining crypto raises sustainability issues.
Legal Issues in Computing – 10 Key Points
Data Protection Act 2018 – Governs how personal data must be collected, stored, and processed.
GDPR – Provides rights to individuals over their personal data across the EU (and UK via DPA 2018).
Computer Misuse Act 1990 – Criminalises hacking, spreading malware, and unauthorised access.
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 – Protects software and digital content from theft.
Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Allows public access to information held by public authorities.
Intellectual Property – Legal rights to creations of the mind, like software or apps.
Defamation law – Illegal to make false statements online that damage someone’s reputation.
Discrimination law – Algorithms must not discriminate against people based on protected characteristics.
Licensing – Legal use of software depends on terms (e.g. open-source vs proprietary).
Age restrictions – Legal limits exist on the use of digital services by minors (e.g. social media).
Cultural Issues in Computing – 10 Key Points
Globalisation – Technology spreads global culture, often diluting local customs and traditions.
Language dominance – English dominates online content, potentially disadvantaging non-speakers.
Digital etiquette – Varies across cultures; what’s acceptable online in one country may be offensive in another.
Censorship – Some cultures censor online content based on their political or moral values.
Social media norms – Culture affects how people interact online (e.g., directness, humour, expression).
Religious conflict – Some digital content or systems may clash with religious beliefs.
Cultural bias in design – Interfaces, emojis, and AI voice assistants may reflect dominant cultures.
Access to technology – Some cultures have limited access due to poverty or infrastructure.
Digital activism – Technology empowers cultural and political movements (e.g. Arab Spring, #MeToo).
Changing norms – Cultural values evolve due to exposure to new ideas via the internet (e.g., LGBTQ+ rights).
