Several UK laws are relevant to Computer Science, governing data protection, computer misuse, copyright, and software licensing. Understanding these laws is essential for exam questions about the legal impacts of technology.
Key points
Four key pieces of legislation: Data Protection Act 2018, Computer Misuse Act 1990, Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988, and software licences (open source vs proprietary).
Exam Tip:You need to know what each law COVERS, give EXAMPLES of offences, and understand how they protect individuals/creators.
These laws address: protecting personal data, preventing unauthorised computer access, protecting creative works, and the rights of software users.
Exam Tip:Extended response questions often ask you to DISCUSS the impact of legislation — include both the purpose of the law and examples of how it applies.
Exam Example:Legislation matching questions — 'Transmitting personal data without permission' = DPA. 'Guessing a teacher's password' = Computer Misuse Act. 'Copying a software interface' = Copyright Act. 'Storing data insecurely' = DPA. 'Installing a keylogger' = Computer Misuse Act.