privacy & ethics

what is privacy?

• the right to control who can access your personal info

• good privacy = think carefully before sharing info online

what is personal information? give examples.

• any information that can identify you

e.g. full name, home address, phone number

why is privacy important?

exposed personal info can be used to:

• steal your identity

• access accounts

• track where you live / school

how can you protect your privacy?

• use strong passwords

• turn on 2FA

• think before posting

what is 2FA and how does it help protect privacy?

• an extra security step that requires a second form of verification (code sent to phone)

• makes it harder to hack accounts (not just password)

what is data collection?

• when websites/apps collect info about your device and activity

• can be automatic even without typing anything

why do companies collect data?

• improve their website

• personalise your experience

• targeted advertising

what is an IP address?

• a unique number assigned to your device when it connects to the internet

• helps websites know where to send info

what are cookies?

• small text files = remember info about you between visits

e.g. login details, shopping cart

what are the advantages of cookies?

• save time by remembering login

• personalise websites

• better browsing experience

what are the disadvantages of cookies?

• track visited websites

• share info with companies

• display targeted ads

what are first-party cookies?

• created by the website

• used to improve user experience

what are third-party cookies?

• created by another company

• used to track browsing across different websites

what is a digital footprint?

• a record of your online activity

• some parts created by you, others automatically

what is an active digital footprint?

• information you choose to share

e.g. insta posts, yt comments

what is a passive digital footprint?

• information collected automatically

e.g. IP address, search history

why does your digital footprint matter?

• affects application to unis or employers

• good digital footprint = responsible online behaviour

how to manage your digital footprint?

• think before posting

• strong privacy settings

• remove old accounts

what are ethics?

• the moral principles that help us decide what is right and wrong

• something legal can be unethical

what is ethical behaviour?

using the online space in a way that is fair, honest and respectful to others

what is legal?

• follows the law

• breaking the law → legal consequences

what is ethical?

• follows moral principles

• breaking ethical standards → damage trust

examples of ethical behaviour

• respecting others’ privacy

• being honest in school or work

examples of unethical behaviour

• sharing private photos

• copying someone else’s work

why do ethics matter in technology?

without ethical behaviour, tech can be used to:

• invade people’s privacy

• damage reputations

what are the ethical responsibilities of IT professionals?

• protecting customer info

• respect user privacy

what are ethical websites?

ethical websites:

• keep passwords secure

• only collect necessary info

what are dark patterns?

• design features that trick users into doing things they don’t want

e.g. making the ‘cancel’ button hard to find

what does ethical social media use include?

• being respectful

• thinking before posting

why does copyright matter?

• without laws, anyone can claim others’ original work

• copyright/IP laws give creators control over their work

what is intellectual property (IP)?

something that has been created using a person’s ideas, knowledge or creativity

e.g. software, apps, music

what is copyright?

a law that protects original creative work

what cannot usually be copyrighted?

copyright protects the way an idea is expressed, not the idea itself

e.g. facts, short phrases

what to do before using someone else’s work?

• ask for permission if required

• purchase a licence if necessary

• acknowledge the creator

what is copyright infringement?

• occurs when copyrighted work is used without permission

e.g. downloading pirated movies

what is a licence?

explains how others are allowed to use someone’s work

what is Creative Commons (CC)?

• a system of licences that allows creators to give permission for others to use their work

• makes it easier to legally share digital content

what does public domain mean?

• it means copyright no longer applies

• can usually be used without permission

why should we attribute/credit the creator?

it respects the creator’s work and demonstrates academic honesty

examples of software piracy

• downloading cracked software

• illegally copying commercial games