SECTION 1 — Legal, Moral, Ethical & Cultural Implications
What is the definition of Morality?
An understanding of the difference between right and wrong, often founded in personal beliefs.
Note: Something can be immoral in one culture but acceptable in another. Immoral does not always mean illegal.
What is the definition of Ethics?
Moral principles governing an individual’s or organisation’s behaviour, such as a code of conduct.
Note: Ethics is more commonly used in a professional context (e.g. a professional code of ethics).
What does the term ‘Legal’ relate to?
Relating to, or permissible by, law — whether or not an action is punishable by law.
Example: Copying software and then selling it without the permission of the copyright holders is illegal.
What is the definition of Culture?
The attitudes, values, and practices shared by a group of people or society.
Example: When writing computer games, programmers need to avoid items that some cultures might find offensive or obscene.
What are Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)?
Rules governing an individual’s ownership of their own creations or ideas, prohibiting the copying of (for example) software without the owner’s permission.
Example: Copying software without the copyright holder’s permission violates IPR.
Define Privacy in a computing context.
The right to keep personal information and data secret, and for it not to be unwillingly accessed or shared through, for example, hacking.
What is Plagiarism?
The act of taking another person’s work or ideas and claiming them as one’s own.
Proper citation: Acknowledge the originator using references at the end of a document or footnotes on each page. Plagiarism-detection software exists to check for it.
What is Computer Ethics? What are its three main factors?
Computer ethics is a set of principles set out to regulate the use of computers.
Three main factors:
1. Intellectual Property Rights (e.g. copying software without permission)
2. Privacy Issues (e.g. hacking or illegal access to personal data)
3. Effect of Computers on Society (e.g. job losses, social impacts)
Can an act be immoral but not illegal? Give an example.
Yes. Creating a fake news website is not illegal but may be considered immoral if it causes distress to others.
However, if the creator attempts to obtain personal and financial data through it, it becomes an illegal act.
When does hacking become an illegal act?
Hacking is generally regarded as immoral but not always illegal.
It becomes ILLEGAL if it:
• Compromises national security
• Results in financial gain
• Reveals personal information
How is unethical behaviour defined?
Unethical behaviour is the breaking of a professional code of conduct.
Example: If someone works for a software company and passes on ideas to a rival company, it is regarded as unethical.
• If the software relates to national security or is formally copyrighted, it is also illegal.
What are the benefits of joining a professional ethical body (e.g. BCS, IEEE)?
• Access to legal advice if action is taken against them
• Networking opportunities
• No missing out on contacts / jobs
• Access to training and professional development
• Clear, laid-out ethical guidelines
[Past Exam Q&A adds:]
• He does not have to decide what is ethical — it is written down.
• Clients / staff know he is reputable.
• Recognition of his skills / knowledge (there may be a test / requirements for entry).
• They run training courses to keep his skills up-to-date.
• So clients/other staff know the standards being applied.
What four main areas are covered by the BCS Code of Conduct?
- The Public Interest
- Professional Competence and Integrity
- Duty to Relevant Authority
- Duty to the Profession
What is the purpose of the IEEE?
The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) was set up in the USA to:
• Raise awareness of ethical issues
• Promote ethical behaviour among professionals in the electronics industry
• Ensure engineers and scientists respect the need for ethical behaviour
Summarise the key commitments in the IEEE Code of Ethics.
Members commit to:
1. Prioritise public safety, health, and welfare
2. Avoid conflicts of interest
3. Be honest and realistic in claims / estimates
4. Reject bribery in all forms
5. Improve public understanding of tech implications
6. Maintain technical competence
7. Accept/offer honest criticism; credit others
8. Treat everyone fairly (no discrimination)
9. Avoid injuring others by malicious actions
10. Support colleagues in professional development
What are the 8 principles of the joint IEEE/ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics?
- PUBLIC — Act consistently with the public interest
- CLIENT & EMPLOYER — Act in the best interests of client/employer, consistent with public interest
- PRODUCT — Ensure products meet the highest professional standards
- JUDGMENT — Maintain integrity and independence in professional judgment
- MANAGEMENT — Promote an ethical approach to software development/maintenance
- PROFESSION — Advance the integrity and reputation of the profession
- COLLEAGUES — Be fair to and supportive of colleagues
- SELF — Participate in lifelong learning; promote ethical approach to practice
Why are employees required to sign a professional code of conduct before starting work?
• To confirm they understand the code of conduct
• To make sure they know what behaviour is expected of them
• To make sure they understand there may be consequences for some actions
• To ensure all employees adhere to the same standards
SECTION 2 — Copyright Issues
What is the definition of Software Piracy?
The practice of using or making illegal copies of software.
What is a Product Key?
A security method — a unique reference number used during software installation to prevent illegal copying or unauthorised use.
During installation, the user is required to enter the product key supplied with the original software (e.g. 4a3c 0efa 65ab a81e).
Define Digital Rights Management (DRM).
Technology used to control access to copyrighted material by preventing unauthorised copying or distribution.
Goal: To ensure any attempt to break copyright protection results in a defective, unusable copy.
What is the Free Software Foundation (FSF)?
An organisation that promotes the free distribution of software. It gives users the freedom to run, copy, change, or adapt software coding as needed.
Philosophy: Focuses on the moral and ethical rights of users to control their software.
What is the Open Source Initiative (OSI)?
An organisation that offers the same freedoms as the Free Software Foundation. Focuses on the practical consequences of the four shared rules, such as enabling collaborative software development.
Philosophy: Emphasises practical benefits like collaborative development.
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Chapter 5 (Section 2) #247
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Chapter 8 (Section 2&3) #257
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Records and ADTs (Practical) #143
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Computational Thinking (Practical) #119
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Software Development (Practical) #143
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AS CS Long Answer Questions (Revision) #191
