\chapter{Impacts of computing}

Computing and computer science has very clearly transformed our world
in many ways. 

\section{Legal}

Computing has many legal consequences. The ways in which the law
applies in the general world is very different from the internet,
such as a new ability to distribute information. There are many laws
which apply to the internet, but here are a few:

\subsection{Data Protection Act (1998)}

The Data Protection Act makes it a requirement for organisations to
follow strict guidelines when storing people's sensitive or personal
data. A modern law similar to this is the \textit{General Data
Protection Regulation} (GDPR) (2016) is more up to date.

\subsection{Computer Misuse Act (1990)}

The Computer Misuse Act makes it it illegal to gain
\textbf{unauthorised} access to a computer, or to use a computer in
committing an offence.

\subsection{Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988)}

The Copyright, Design and Patents Act gives people or businesses
ownership of their creative work, such that they have complete
commercial rights to it, thereby making \textit{piracy} of content or
software illegal.

\section{Ethics}

Ethical considerations involve thinking about the aspects of computing
that are good or bad, or right or wrong. What is ethical or
moral has no strict definition, although the law is based on ethics.
An example of ethical considerations might be terms of service,
offensive language and freedom of speech, the increasing use of phones
with young people, or the sourcing of materials for use in electronics
from places such as the Congo \footnote{Rory Stewart OBE: "Failed
States - and How Not to Fix Them"; Yale University;
\url{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMXXJqvMdk4}}.  Thus ethics are
open to interpretation and your own opinion.

\section{Environment}

Computing has many environmental impacts. From electricity usage to
e-waste produced by the ongoing release of new devices, technology has
an immense impact on our environment.