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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science

Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts — Edexcel GCSE Computer Science revision

Free revision notes, key terms, common exam traps and 5 practice questions with answers. About 6 minutes to read.

Ethical and cultural impacts

  • The digital divide refers to the gap between people who have easy access to technology and the internet and those who do not, affecting education and job opportunities.
  • Personal privacy can be threatened by data collection, tracking cookies, facial recognition and surveillance technologies used by companies and governments.
  • Censorship and surveillance raise ethical questions about balancing security with freedom of expression and access to information online.
  • Artificial intelligence and automation can improve efficiency but may replace jobs, raising ethical questions about retraining and economic impact on workers.

Legislation affecting computing

  • The Data Protection Act 2018 (aligned with UK GDPR) controls how organisations collect, store and use personal data, requiring it to be accurate, secure and used only for stated purposes.
  • The Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes it illegal to access computer material without permission, to access it with intent to commit further crime, or to impair the operation of a computer (e.g. hacking, spreading malware).
  • The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 protects original work such as software, music and images from being copied, distributed or used without the creator's permission.
  • The Freedom of Information Act gives the public the right to request information held by public authorities, promoting transparency in government and public bodies.

Key terms

Digital divide
The gap between those with easy access to technology and those without.
Data Protection Act 2018
UK law controlling how personal data is collected, stored and used.
Computer Misuse Act 1990
UK law making unauthorised access to or damage of computer systems illegal.
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
UK law protecting original creative work like software from being copied without permission.
Freedom of Information Act
UK law giving the public the right to request information from public authorities.
Open source software
Software whose source code is publicly available to view, modify and redistribute.

Common exam traps

  • Confusing the Data Protection Act (personal data handling) with the Computer Misuse Act (unauthorised access/hacking).
  • Thinking open source software is always free with no restrictions — licences still set rules about attribution and redistribution.
  • Forgetting the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act applies to software and digital media, not just books or music.

Practice questions with answers

  1. 1. Which Act controls how organisations collect and use personal data in the UK?

    • • Computer Misuse Act 1990
    • • Data Protection Act 2018
    • • Freedom of Information Act
    • • Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

    Answer: Data Protection Act 2018

    This Act, aligned with UK GDPR, governs the handling of personal data.

  2. 2. Which Act makes hacking and unauthorised access to computer systems illegal?

    Answer: Computer Misuse Act 1990

    This Act criminalises unauthorised access, modification and impairment of computer systems.

  3. 3. Which Act protects software, music and images from being copied without permission?

    • • Data Protection Act 2018
    • • Freedom of Information Act
    • • Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
    • • Computer Misuse Act 1990

    Answer: Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

    This Act protects original creative and intellectual works from unauthorised copying.

  4. 4. What does the Freedom of Information Act allow the public to do?

    Answer: Request information held by public authorities

    It promotes transparency by allowing access to public sector information.

  5. 5. What is the digital divide?

    • • The difference between hardware and software
    • • The gap between those with and without access to technology
    • • A type of computer virus
    • • A software licence type

    Answer: The gap between those with and without access to technology

    The digital divide highlights inequality in access to devices and internet connectivity.

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