Ethical Issues in Computing
Ethics refers to moral principles that guide what is right or wrong. The use of computers raises significant ethical questions.
Privacy
Technology allows vast amounts of personal data to be collected, stored, and analysed. Ethical concerns include:
- Social media companies collecting and selling user data
- Government surveillance programmes monitoring communications
- Employers monitoring employee emails and activity
- Smart devices (speakers, phones) listening to conversations
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
- AI decision-making (e.g., loan approvals, medical diagnoses) may contain bias from training data
- Automation replacing human workers — who is responsible for mistakes?
- Autonomous vehicles — who is responsible in an accident?
Access and the Digital Divide
The digital divide is the gap between those with access to modern technology/internet and those without. It affects:
- Developing countries vs developed countries
- Elderly or low-income populations within a country
- Rural vs urban areas
This creates inequality in access to education, employment, healthcare, and information.
Legal Issues
Laws exist to protect individuals and regulate how computers and data are used. Key areas include:
Copyright and Intellectual Property
Copyright is automatic legal protection for original creative works (software, music, films, books). Copying, distributing, or using copyrighted material without permission is illegal.
Computer Misuse
The Computer Misuse Act (UK, 1990) criminalises:
- Unauthorised access to computer systems (hacking)
- Unauthorised access with intent to commit further offences
- Unauthorised modification of computer material (planting viruses, deleting files)
Data Protection
Data protection laws (e.g., GDPR in Europe, Data Protection Act in the UK) govern how personal data is collected, stored, and used. Core principles:
- Data must be collected for a specific, stated purpose
- Only necessary data should be collected (data minimisation)
- Data must be kept accurate and up to date
- Data must be stored securely
- Individuals have the right to access their own data
Cultural Issues
- Cultural differences — acceptable use of technology varies by country/culture (censorship, access to content)
- Language barriers — much online content is in English, excluding non-English speakers
- Over-reliance — excessive screen time, social media addiction, mental health impacts
- Cyberbullying — use of technology to harm or intimidate others
Environmental Issues
| Issue | Detail |
|---|
| Energy consumption | Data centres and computing devices consume large amounts of electricity, contributing to carbon emissions |
| Manufacturing | Producing hardware requires rare earth minerals, which are mined (environmental damage) and energy-intensive to process |
| E-waste | Discarded electronic equipment — mobile phones, computers — contains toxic materials (lead, mercury) and contributes to landfill |
| Positive effects | Technology can also reduce environmental impact: remote working reduces commuting, digital documents reduce paper use, smart energy grids improve efficiency |
Exam tip: Questions on ethical/environmental issues expect you to give balanced arguments — both positive and negative effects. Always justify your point with a specific example. For 4-mark "discuss" questions, give 2 impacts on each side with development.