S8 Issues Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are the three main impact categories of digital technology on society?
Ethical, Legal, and Environmental impacts.
What is meant by an ‘ethical impact’ of technology?
Issues of right and wrong, such as privacy, freedom, and surveillance.
What is a ‘legal impact’ of digital technology?
How laws (like the Computer Misuse Act or Data Protection Act) are affected or applied.
What is meant by an ‘environmental impact’ of digital technology?
Effects on the planet, e.g. energy use, e-waste, and carbon emissions from data centres.
Why must ethical, legal, and environmental concerns be considered in tech development?
Because digital tech can deeply affect individuals, communities, governments, and the planet.
What is the ethical concern with governments accessing private data?
It may violate privacy and civil liberties.
Why do governments argue in favour of data access?
They claim it helps protect citizens from terrorism and crime.
Why might citizens be concerned about government data access?
It can lead to surveillance, lack of transparency, and misuse of personal data.
What legal issues arise with hacking?
It violates the Computer Misuse Act (unauthorised access or modification).
What is a risk of mobile technologies regarding privacy?
Devices can track user locations and behaviours.
How can wireless networks pose a cyber security threat?
Unsecured networks can be exploited by hackers.
What is the ethical issue with mobile data collection?
Users may not be aware of how much data is being collected or sold.
What are two key ethical concerns with cloud storage?
Data privacy and security of personal information.
What is the environmental impact of cloud storage?
Large data centres use huge amounts of electricity, contributing to carbon emissions.
Why is hacking illegal?
It breaks laws like the Computer Misuse Act and compromises data security.
What is a common ethical argument against hacking?
It invades privacy and causes harm.
How can hacking sometimes be justified ethically (controversially)?
As ‘ethical hacking’ or ‘white hat’ to expose flaws and improve security.
What are wearable technologies?
Devices worn on the body that collect personal data, e.g. fitness trackers, smartwatches.
What is an ethical concern of wearable tech?
They collect sensitive health or location data without full user understanding.
What is a computer-based implant?
Technology inserted into the body, e.g. for medical monitoring or enhancement.
What ethical risks come with implants?
Potential loss of autonomy, consent issues, and hacking of medical devices.
What is an autonomous vehicle?
A self-driving vehicle that uses sensors and AI to navigate without human input.
What is a key ethical concern with autonomous vehicles?
Decision-making in life-or-death situations (e.g. who to save in a crash).
What legal issue might arise from autonomous vehicles?
Uncertainty over who is responsible in case of an accident — the driver, manufacturer, or software developer.
