This introduction covers The Rules of the Digital World within Legal Issues in Computing for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Legal Issues in Computing in 3.8 Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Impacts for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 1 of 7 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
The Rules of the Digital World
Just like the real world has laws, the digital world has legislation to protect people. The Data Protection Act is like rules for handling someone else's belongings - you must keep them safe and return them. The Computer Misuse Act is like laws against breaking and entering - you can't access computers without permission. Copyright protects creators like patents protect inventors. Breaking these laws has real consequences!
Practice questions for Legal Issues in Computing
Which law makes it illegal to access a computer system without permission?
Explain what the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 protects and give one example of an act that would be illegal under this law.
Quick recall flashcards
What does copyright protect?
Creative works - music, software, images, text
What year was the Computer Misuse Act?
1990