Privacy, GDPR, copyright, IP, AI ethics, environmental impact, algorithmic bias. Jun 2022 Q4(c) and Jun 2024 Q5 tested these topics.
—
Best score
—
Last attempt
Best attempt progress
0
XP earned
Watch first — Craig 'n' Dave
Craig 'n' Dave · Edexcel 1CP2Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Concerns
Key facts
Legal framework
Computer Misuse Act 1990 (UK) — three offences: (1) unauthorised access, (2) unauthorised access with intent to commit further offences, (3) unauthorised modification of data
Data Protection Act / GDPR — data must be: used fairly and lawfully, used for stated purpose, adequate and not excessive, accurate, not kept longer than necessary, kept securely
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act — software is automatically copyrighted. Licensing required for use.
Manufacturing: extraction of rare earth metals, water use, energy use, carbon emissions
Use: data centres consume vast amounts of electricity
Disposal: e-waste in landfill releases toxic materials; waste transported overseas
Planned obsolescence: shorter replacement cycles → more manufacturing + more e-waste
Long replacement cycles reduce environmental impact
Algorithmic bias and AI ethics — Jun 2022 Q4(c) 6-mark question
Algorithmic bias — when algorithms produce unfair results due to biased training data, poor design, or human bias in development
Causes: insufficient/inappropriate training data, human bias, poor algorithm design
Impacts: discrimination, unfair targeting of communities, feedback loops (biased output used as input, reinforcing the bias)
Mitigations: human oversight, auditing, transparency/open to scrutiny, diverse training data, community involvement
The 2022 exam used police resource allocation as context — algorithmic bias in policing
Exam questions — 4 questions · 13 marks · from real 1CP2 past papers
1 markIntellectual property1CP2 Jun 2024 Q5(b) style
A company invents a new hardware device. Which method of intellectual property protection should they apply for?
A Copyright
B Trademark
C Patent
D Licensing
1 markEnvironmental impact1CP2 Jun 2024 Q5(a) style
How do shorter device replacement cycles affect the environment?
A They reduce environmental impact because newer devices are more energy efficient
B They increase manufacturing demand and e-waste, both of which harm the environment
C They have no significant environmental impact
D They improve environmental impact by keeping the latest technology in use
6 marksAlgorithmic bias discussion1CP2 Jun 2022 Q4(c) — real 6-mark levelled question
Discuss how algorithmic bias can affect the decisions a police force makes. In your answer consider: causes of algorithmic bias, impacts on individuals and communities, and methods to reduce the risk. (6 marks)
Hint: Cover all three parts: causes → impacts (on individuals AND communities including feedback loops) → mitigation methods. For Level 3 you need linked reasoning connecting causes to impacts to solutions.