The Data Protection Act 2018; Computer Misuse Act 1990; Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988; Software licences (i.e. open source and proprietary)

Legislation relevant to Computer Science:The Data Protection Act 2018; Computer Misuse Act 1990; Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988; Software licences (i.e. open source and proprietary)

1.6.1 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact

Practise exam questions

Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact — Note 2 of 6

What you need to know

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.

What to know

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).
These laws address: protecting personal data, preventing unauthorised computer access, protecting creative works, and the rights of software users.

Exam technique

Tip:You need to know what each law COVERS, give EXAMPLES of offences, and understand how they protect individuals/creators.
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.

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.

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Practise 1.6.1 questions

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