Unit 1 Module 3 - Information Technology in Society
This module examines the social, legal, ethical, economic and health effects of information technology. The exam rewards balanced analysis: identify stakeholders, state benefits and risks, and propose realistic safeguards rather than one-sided opinions.
Core issues
- Privacy and data protection: organisations collect personal data and should obtain consent, keep it accurate, secure it, use it only for stated purposes and retain it no longer than necessary. Breaches harm individuals and trigger legal and reputational consequences.
- Computer crime and security: hacking is unauthorised access; cracking is malicious hacking. Malware includes viruses (attach to files), worms (self-replicate across networks), trojans (disguise as legitimate software) and ransomware (encrypts data for payment). Countermeasures include firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, strong authentication and backups.
- Intellectual property: copyright protects expression; patents protect inventions; trademarks protect branding. Software licences include proprietary, open-source, freeware and shareware. Piracy violates licences and can introduce malware.
- Digital divide: unequal access to devices, connectivity, affordability and skills, not just hardware.
- Work and economy: telecommuting reduces travel but can blur work–life boundaries; automation changes jobs and may deskill roles.
- Health and environment: repetitive strain injury, eyestrain and poor posture require ergonomic furniture and breaks; e-waste and energy use require recycling and efficiency.
Worked example
A school proposes fingerprint attendance. Benefits: faster, accurate records and less administrative work. Risks: collecting biometric data from minors raises consent and privacy concerns; a breach would be serious; some families may object on religious or ethical grounds. A reasoned answer proposes limited retention, encryption, access controls, clear consent and an alternative sign-in method. This shows balanced evaluation rather than simply saying “it is efficient” or “it is wrong”.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating every unethical act as illegal, or every legal act as ethical.
- Confusing hacking with cracking.
- Mixing up copyright, patents and trademarks.
- Giving only advantages or only disadvantages when asked to discuss.
- Reducing the digital divide to devices alone and ignoring skills and affordability.
- Naming malware incorrectly, such as calling a worm a virus.