What are the economic, moral, legal, ethical and cultural impacts of computer science, and which laws govern computer use?
Economic, moral, legal, ethical and cultural issues: the impact of computer science on individuals and society, the relevant UK legislation (Data Protection, Computer Misuse, Copyright and Freedom of Information), and ethical concerns such as privacy, surveillance and the digital divide.
An Eduqas Component 1 answer on the impact of computer science: the economic, moral, ethical and cultural effects on society, the relevant UK legislation (Data Protection, Computer Misuse, Copyright, Freedom of Information), and issues such as privacy, surveillance and the digital divide.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to discuss the economic, moral, ethical and cultural impacts of computer science on individuals and society, name the relevant UK legislation and what it governs, and weigh ethical concerns such as privacy, surveillance and the digital divide. The extended question here is often a levels-of-response discussion.
The answer
Economic, moral, ethical and cultural impacts
Data Protection and Computer Misuse
Copyright and Freedom of Information
Examples in context
These issues are constantly in the news: data breaches and fines under data-protection law, prosecutions for hacking under the Computer Misuse Act, debates over software and media piracy, and Freedom of Information requests by journalists. The ethical debates around surveillance, profiling and the digital divide shape real policy. For Eduqas, this dot point appears both as short "name the law" questions and as extended levels-of-response discussions, so practise both recalling the legislation precisely and writing a balanced, judged argument. It connects to the data-protection aspects of databases and encryption in Component 2.
Try this
Q1. Which UK Act makes unauthorised access to computer material an offence? [1 mark]
- Cue. The Computer Misuse Act.
Q2. State two principles of the Data Protection Act / UK GDPR. [2 marks]
- Cue. Any two of: personal data must be processed lawfully and fairly, collected for a specified purpose, kept accurate, held securely, kept no longer than necessary; individuals have a right of access.
Q3. What is meant by the digital divide? [1 mark]
- Cue. The gap between those who have reliable access to technology and the skills to use it and those who do not.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 20206 marksName three pieces of UK legislation relevant to computer use, and for each state one thing it makes lawful or unlawful.Show worked answer →
Award up to 6 marks, two per piece of legislation (name plus a correct provision), to a maximum of three pieces:
Data Protection Act / UK GDPR: requires personal data to be processed lawfully, kept accurate, secure and no longer than necessary, and gives individuals rights over their data; using personal data unfairly is unlawful.
Computer Misuse Act: makes unauthorised access to computer material (hacking) an offence, as well as unauthorised access with intent to commit a crime, and unauthorised modification of data (such as spreading malware).
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act: protects original works including software, so copying or distributing software without permission (piracy) is unlawful.
Freedom of Information Act: gives the public the right to request information held by public authorities.
Markers reward three correctly named Acts each with a valid provision (what it makes lawful or unlawful).
Eduqas 20225 marksDiscuss the ethical and cultural impacts of widespread data collection by technology companies, considering both benefits and concerns.Show worked answer →
This is a levels-of-response style question; reward a balanced discussion up to 5 marks.
Benefits: personalised services and recommendations, improved products through analytics, convenience, and societal benefits such as health research and efficient services.
Concerns: loss of privacy and the feeling of constant surveillance; data used without informed consent; profiling and potential discrimination; security risks if data is breached; and concentration of power in a few large companies.
Cultural: changes to social norms around sharing, the digital divide between those with and without access, and differing attitudes to privacy across cultures.
A strong answer weighs benefits against concerns and reaches a reasoned judgement rather than listing points. Markers reward balance, relevant examples, and a justified conclusion.
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCE AS/A Level Computer Science specification (from 2015) — Eduqas (2015)