Ethical Issues in Computing

Ethics concerns what is morally right or wrong. In computing, many actions may be legal but raise ethical questions, or vice versa. Key ethical issues include:

Privacy and Digital Footprint

A digital footprint is the trail of data left by online activity — websites visited, social media posts, purchases, location data. This data can be collected and used by companies, advertisers, and governments.

• Passive footprint: data collected without direct action (e.g. cookies, browsing history)
• Active footprint: data you intentionally share (e.g. social media posts, form submissions)
• Ethical concern: organisations may sell, misuse, or inadequately protect this data

Surveillance and Monitoring

Technology enables widespread surveillance — CCTV, internet monitoring, tracking devices. While beneficial for security, it raises concerns about mass surveillance and civil liberties.

Bias and Discrimination in AI

Algorithms and AI trained on biased data can perpetuate or amplify discrimination — in hiring, lending, facial recognition, and criminal justice systems.

Access and the Digital Divide

Not everyone has equal access to technology — this inequality (the digital divide) exists between countries, income groups, and age groups, limiting opportunities for those without access.

Key Legislation

Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR in the UK)

Governs how organisations collect, store, and use personal data. Key principles:

• Data must be collected for a specific, lawful purpose
• Only relevant data should be collected (data minimisation)
• Data must be accurate and kept up to date
• Data must be stored securely
• Individuals have the right to access their data and request its deletion

Computer Misuse Act 1990

Makes the following criminal offences in the UK:

• Unauthorised access to computer material (e.g. hacking)
• Unauthorised access with intent to commit further offences (e.g. accessing a system to commit fraud)
• Unauthorised modification of computer material (e.g. installing malware, deleting files)

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Protects creators' intellectual property. Software, music, images, and written content are automatically protected by copyright. Copying or distributing copyrighted material without permission is illegal. Open source software is licensed to allow free use/modification.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Gives the public the right to request access to information held by public bodies (government, councils, NHS, police). Promotes transparency and accountability.

Professionalism in Computing

Computing professionals have ethical responsibilities that go beyond simply following the law. Professionalism means acting with integrity, honesty, and a duty of care towards users, employers, and society.

• Professionals should not misuse access to data or systems
• They should be honest about the limitations and risks of technology
• They must consider the impact of their work on society — not just technical correctness
• Professional bodies (e.g. BCS — The Chartered Institute for IT) publish codes of conduct that members are expected to follow
• Examples of unprofessional conduct: misusing privileged system access, ignoring known security vulnerabilities, falsifying test results

Patents

A patent is a form of intellectual property protection that gives the inventor exclusive rights to make, use, or sell an invention for a limited period (usually 20 years).

• Patents protect inventions and new processes — unlike copyright, a patent must be applied for and granted by a patent office
• In computing, patents protect novel hardware designs, algorithms (in some jurisdictions), and technical processes
• Using a patented invention without permission is patent infringement
• Note: the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 covers both copyright and patents in UK law