Ethical, Legal, and Environmental Impacts

Vocabulary terms covering ethical considerations, digital inequality, relevant UK legislation, and the environmental consequences of digital technology based on the GCSE Computer Science Unit One curriculum.

Ethics

The branch of philosophy that is concerned with right and wrong, and what is good for an individual and society as a whole.

Digital Divide

The gap between populations that have full access to modern information and communications technology and those who have restricted access, often centered on broadband Internet access.

Digital Dividends

The broader development benefits from using digital technologies, such as boosted growth, expanded opportunities, and improved service delivery.

Drones

Remotely controlled unmanned vehicles that can detect and avoid other aircraft using sensors and make autonomous flight adjustments.

AlphaGo

A Google computer program that learned to play the game Go at an expert level by watching people compete and simulating millions of games against itself.

Neuromorphic chips

Computer chips configured more like brains than traditional chips, allowing computers to learn by experience and be more astute about their surroundings.

Code of conduct

A set of guidelines that define acceptable behavior within an organization, serving as a benchmark for judging individual actions.

Formal codes of ethics

Written documents outlining expected behaviors within an organization that are usually enforced by the threat of disciplinary action.

Data Protection Act 1998

Government legislation created in response to concerns about the amount of personal data being stored and processed by computer systems.

Information Commissioner

The person responsible for the Data Protection Act (DPA) with whom organizations must register if they store and process personal data.

Computer Misuse Act 1990

Legislation that makes it an offence to access data or computer systems without permission, or to alter data without permission (e.g., writing a virus).

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Legislation providing public access to information held by public authorities, obliging them to publish certain data and respond to public requests.

Landfill

Disposal sites where electronics can leak toxic materials like cadmium, lead, and mercury into the ground and water if not disposed of correctly.

Energy Star label

A certification marking products that use between $30\%$ and $75\%$ less electricity than standard products.

Re-cycling

An environmentally friendly solution that allows components, such as precious metals, to be retrieved from old equipment and re-used.