Impacts of TechnologyExam Tips

Exam Tips - Legal Issues

Part of Legal IssuesGCSE Computer Science

This exam tips covers Exam Tips - Legal Issues within Legal Issues for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Legal Issues in Impacts of Technology for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 6 of 6 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.

Topic position

Section 6 of 6

Practice

15 questions

Recall

14 flashcards

Exam Tips - Legal Issues

Key points to remember:

  • Know what each act covers - Data Protection (personal data), Computer Misuse (hacking), Copyright (creative works)
  • For scenario questions, identify which law applies to the situation
  • Common mistake: Confusing Data Protection (personal data like names, addresses) with Copyright (creative works like music, software)
  • Computer Misuse Act has 4 sections - know what each covers and penalties

Common exam mistakes to avoid:

  • Saying "Data Protection Act protects software" - that's Copyright!
  • Forgetting that unauthorized access is illegal EVEN if no damage is done
  • Not mentioning that individuals have rights under GDPR (access, correction, deletion)
  • Vague answers - be specific about which section or principle applies

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Legal Issues. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Legal Issues

Which law makes it illegal to access a computer system without permission?

  • A. Data Protection Act 2018
  • B. Computer Misuse Act 1990
  • C. Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988
  • D. Freedom of Information Act 2000
1 markfoundation

Explain what the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 protects and give one example of an act that would be illegal under this law.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What year was the Computer Misuse Act?
1990
What does copyright protect?
Creative works - music, software, images, text

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