Technology has a significant impact on society. It's important to consider the ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental consequences of our digital world.
Ethical & Legal Issues
- Ethical Issues: Questions about right and wrong, e.g. data privacy, the digital divide, and automation's impact on jobs.
- Legal Issues: Technology is governed by laws:
- Computer Misuse Act: Makes hacking illegal.
- Copyright, Designs and Patents Act: Protects creators’ intellectual property.
- Data Protection Act & GDPR: Strict rules on handling and protecting personal data.
Cultural & Environmental Impacts
- Cultural Impacts: Technology changes how we live, work, and communicate. Benefits include global connectivity, but risks include screen addiction, online bullying, and misinformation.
- Environmental Impacts: Production and disposal of tech affect the planet:
- E-waste: Discarded devices contain toxic materials.
- Energy Use: Data centres and devices consume vast energy resources.
Stakeholders & Software
- Stakeholders: People/groups affected by technology (e.g., users, developers, businesses) may have conflicting interests.
- Open Source vs Proprietary:
- Proprietary Software: Code is private, owned, and usually paid for (e.g., Windows).
- Open Source Software: Code is public, can be used/modified freely (e.g., Linux).