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This lesson consolidates all the ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental content from OCR J277 Section 1.6 with exam-style practice and techniques for maximising your marks.
Before the exam, make sure you can confidently explain each of the following:
| Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|
| DPA 2018 / GDPR | Seven principles, data subject rights, ICO, fines |
| Computer Misuse Act 1990 | Sections 1, 2, 3; hacking, malware, DDoS |
| Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 | Protects creative works and software; licences; piracy |
| Freedom of Information Act 2000 | Access to public authority information; exemptions |
| Privacy | Data collection, tracking, surveillance concerns |
| Censorship | Internet filtering, arguments for and against |
| Surveillance | CCTV, internet monitoring, facial recognition |
| Digital divide | Economic, geographic, age-related gaps |
| Accessibility | Screen readers, WCAG, inclusive design |
| Changing work patterns | Remote working, automation, gig economy |
| E-waste | Toxic materials, recycling, planned obsolescence |
| Energy consumption | Data centres, renewable energy, efficiency |
| Conflict minerals | 3TG minerals, ethical supply chains |
| Open source vs proprietary | Source code, cost, support, security |
OCR Exam Tip: Extended-response questions in Section 1.6 are often discuss or evaluate questions. This means you MUST present multiple viewpoints and reach a conclusion. One-sided answers will not achieve full marks.
Question: State two rights that the Data Protection Act 2018 gives to individuals regarding their personal data. (2 marks)
Model answer:
Question: A company employee downloads a cracked version of video editing software and installs it on the company's computers. Explain which law this breaks and describe the potential consequences. (4 marks)
Model answer: This breaks the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (1). The video editing software is protected by copyright as the source code is a literary work (1). Downloading and using a cracked version without a valid licence is copyright infringement (1). The software company could take civil action for damages, and in serious cases, criminal prosecution could result in fines or imprisonment of up to 10 years (1).
Question: Discuss the environmental impact of the technology industry and evaluate what can be done to reduce it. (8 marks)
Model answer structure:
Paragraph 1 — E-waste: The technology industry generates over 60 million tonnes of electronic waste per year. Discarded devices contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium that contaminate soil and water when sent to landfill. The problem is worsened by planned obsolescence, where manufacturers design products with limited lifespans to encourage frequent upgrades. Solutions include recycling programmes, right-to-repair legislation, and designing devices with modular, replaceable components.
Paragraph 2 — Energy consumption: Data centres that power cloud computing, streaming, and social media consume approximately 1-2% of global electricity and generate significant carbon emissions. The environmental impact can be reduced by powering data centres with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Companies like Google have used AI to optimise their cooling systems, reducing energy consumption by 40%. Individuals can help by using energy-saving settings on devices and reducing unnecessary data storage.
Paragraph 3 — Conflict minerals: Electronic devices require minerals such as tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold, which are often mined in conflict zones in central Africa. Mining operations fund armed groups and involve exploitation of workers, including children. Legislation such as the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation requires companies to audit their supply chains, and industry initiatives promote responsible sourcing. Using recycled materials reduces demand for newly mined minerals.
Paragraph 4 — Conclusion: The technology industry has a significant environmental impact across its entire lifecycle, from mining raw materials to disposing of old devices. While no single solution can address all issues, a combination of regulation, industry action, and consumer awareness can significantly reduce the environmental footprint. Companies should prioritise sustainable design, renewable energy, and ethical supply chains.
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Naming the wrong law for a scenario | Learn the four laws and what each covers — use the quick reference table |
| Giving a one-sided answer to a "discuss" question | Always present arguments for AND against, then give a conclusion |
| Being too vague (e.g. "it's bad for the environment") | Give specific impacts (e.g. "lead and mercury from e-waste contaminate soil") |
| Confusing open source with freeware | Open source means the source code is available; freeware is just free to use |
| Forgetting to mention consequences of breaking the law | Always include penalties (fines, imprisonment) and practical consequences (reputation, loss of trust) |
| Writing about only one cultural issue | If the question says "issues" (plural), cover at least two |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Personal data | Information that can identify a living individual |
| Intellectual property | Creations of the mind (software, music, art) protected by law |
| Digital divide | The gap between those with and without access to technology |
| E-waste | Discarded electronic devices and equipment |
| Conflict minerals | Minerals mined in conflict zones that fund armed groups |
| Open source | Software with publicly available source code |
| Proprietary | Software with secret source code, requiring a licence |
| Planned obsolescence | Designing products to become outdated or break after a set period |
| Ethical issue | A question about what is morally right or wrong |
| Accessibility | Designing technology to be usable by everyone, including people with disabilities |
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