Ethical, Legal and Environmental Impacts
What's covered
Key facts
Autonomous vehicles WILL affect employment patterns — denying this is the misconception.
Businesses may hesitate to use cloud storage over concerns about data privacy and control — especially for regulated personal or financial data.
An ethical concern is long- term consent and the practical ability to remove the implant later — surgery to remove can carry significant risk.
A major data breach can damage public confidence in the company involved.
A "carbon footprint" measures the climate impact (CO2-equivalent emissions) of an activity or entity.
A black-hat hacker is an attacker working with malicious intent (theft, sabotage, extortion).
Always-on connectivity changes the work–life balance (out-of-hours emails, "right to disconnect" debates).
The UK law protecting how personal data is handled is the Data Protection Act 2018 (which implements UK GDPR).
A wrist-worn wearable (bracelet or wristband form-factor) holds a heart-rate sensor against the skin.
Encryption is important on public Wi-Fi because it stops eavesdroppers reading data in transit (HTTPS, VPN).
Sample questions
A taste of the 101 questions in this topic — answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
Which is a potential benefit of autonomous vehicles?
- •Could make passengers run faster on foot
- ✓Could reduce road accidents from human error
- •Could remove the need for any road surfaces
- •Could replace the need for any phone calls
Which is an advantage of cloud storage?
- ✓Access files from any internet-connected device
- •Files become locked to a single device only
- •Files become smaller automatically over time
- •Files cannot be shared with any other users
Which is an example of a computer-based implant?
- •A laptop carried in a backpack daily
- ✓A pacemaker regulating heart rhythm
- •A printer connected to a home router
- •A wristwatch worn on the outside
Which is a typical social impact of large-scale cyber attacks?
- •Faster internet speeds for users
- ✓Loss of public trust in affected services
- •Lower electricity bills for consumers
- •Reduced demand for IT staff
Which is a typical environmental impact of digital technology?
- •Increased biodiversity around data centres
- ✓Large amounts of e-waste from discarded devices
- •Lower global electricity consumption overall
- •Reduced demand for raw materials such as metals
Which UK law makes hacking a criminal offence?
- ✓Computer Misuse Act 1990
- •Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988
- •Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR)
- •Freedom of Information Act 2000
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