Ethical Issues: Privacy, Censorship, and Surveillance

This lesson explores key ethical issues related to computer science and technology, as required by OCR J277 Section 1.6. Ethics are moral principles that guide how we should behave, and technology raises many important ethical questions about privacy, censorship, and surveillance.

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What Are Ethical Issues?

Ethical issues are questions about what is morally right or wrong. In computer science, ethical issues arise because technology can be used in ways that benefit society but also in ways that can cause harm.

Key ethical questions in computing include:

• Should companies be allowed to collect and sell personal data?
• Should governments be able to monitor citizens' online activity?
• Who is responsible when AI makes a harmful decision?
• Should the internet be censored, and if so, by whom?

OCR Exam Tip: Ethics questions in the exam often present a scenario and ask you to discuss arguments for and against a particular use of technology. Always present both sides of the argument before giving a balanced conclusion.

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Privacy

Privacy is the right of an individual to control what information about them is collected, stored, and shared.

Privacy Concerns in the Digital Age

Concern	Description
Data collection	Companies collect vast amounts of personal data through websites, apps, and devices
Tracking	Cookies, location data, and browsing history are used to track online behaviour
Data sharing	Personal data may be sold to third parties for advertising or other purposes
Data breaches	Stolen personal data can be used for identity theft and fraud
Social media	Users often share personal information publicly without understanding the consequences
IoT devices	Smart speakers, cameras, and wearables continuously collect data

Arguments For Data Collection

Argument	Explanation
Personalised services	Targeted advertising, personalised recommendations, and tailored content
Improved products	User data helps companies improve their products and services
Free services	Many free online services are funded by advertising based on user data
Public safety	Data analysis can help identify criminal activity and prevent terrorism

Arguments Against Data Collection

Argument	Explanation
Loss of privacy	Individuals have less control over their personal information
Manipulation	Targeted advertising can manipulate consumer behaviour
Security risks	Large databases of personal data are targets for hackers
Lack of consent	Users may not understand or consent to how their data is used
Power imbalance	Large companies hold enormous amounts of data about individuals

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Censorship

Censorship is the suppression or restriction of information, ideas, or content that is considered objectionable, harmful, or sensitive.

Types of Internet Censorship