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Ethics are moral principles, or rules, which govern a person's attitudes and behaviour.

Ethical concerns must be considered when regarding computers, in the same way they are considered in other aspects of our lives. Some of the concerns are explored below.

Privacy

Once data is put into a computer it can easily be copied or transmitted. This puts personal private data at risk and organisations that hold private data should do their best to ensure that such data remains private. The Data Protection Act 1998 exists to ensure that organisations in the UK comply with the law regarding data privacy.

Many people download apps for their smartphone that ask for permission to access data held on the phone. Once accessed, this data is usually sent to the app producer, who is often in another country and not always subject to the privacy laws that exist in the UK.

In 2016, the government introduced the Investigatory Powers Act. This sets out rules on the use of investigatory powers by law enforcement and the security and intelligence agencies. Under the act, phone companies and internet service providers are required to keep copies of users' emails and browsing histories for a period of time. It also gives the police and security services the authority to access computers and phones to search for data. This act has proved controversial, with opponents concerned over how it impacts people's right to privacy.

In May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect. This is a European-wide law that tightens data privacy and gives data subjects extra rights, including:

• The right to be informed – data subjects have a right to know what data is collected about them and what it will be used for.
• The right of access – data subjects can view any personal data of theirs that an organisation holds.
• The right to rectification – data subjects can have inaccurate personal data corrected and incomplete data made complete.
• The right to erasure – a data subject can ask, in certain circumstances, for all of their data to be erased.
• The right to restrict processing – data can only be processed in a way agreed by the data subject.
• The right to data portability – personal data can be transferred to and used by other organisations if the data subject wishes so.
• The right to object – in certain circumstances, data subjects can object to personal data being processed. An example of this would be in an automated decision process such as filling in an online form for a bank loan. The decision on whether or not to grant a loan has to have human input.
• The right to make a complaint – this is made to the Information Commissioner and relates to how personal data is held or processed.

Authorities have the power to fine an organisation up to €20 million, or 4% of its annual turnover, if it fails to comply with GDPR rules.

Inclusion

Inclusion means enabling everyone to be able to access the benefits of technology. A digital divide exists between those people who can use technology and are comfortable doing so, and those who are not.

For example, younger people may embrace new technology more than older members of society. The latter sometimes fear technology and feel excluded because they cannot use or understand it. The use of social media is a prime example of this. While younger people might use various - and sometimes many - forms of social media each day, older generations may not be so comfortable sharing so many details about their lives online. As a result they might choose to shun social media, or limit their use of it.

The digital divide also refers to the division between people who are able to afford technology and those who cannot. Not everyone can afford the latest smartphone or games console. This is not just a national issue, but an international one too. Many people live in countries where access to computers is expensive and unaffordable.

A division is also created by people not being able to access the same levels of technology. For example, people in cities tend to have access to high-speed broadband, while those in rural or remote areas often do not.

A further division exists between those people who have good computer skills and those who do not. Many employers now require good IT skills, and jobseekers who lack those skills may find it difficult to gain employment.

Professionalism

Working professionally in the computer science and information technology industry often requires that you:

• have knowledge and experience in the industry, probably with formal qualifications
• continually develop your skills and knowledge
• have a wide range of industry skills
• follow ‘best practice’ in your job

Industry professionals follow a code of conduct which states the standards of an organisation. British Computer Society (BCS) is The Chartered Institute for IT and offers registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

If people do not work professionally, following a code of conduct, mistakes can happen. For example, errors in coding and inadequate testing can result in the failure of systems, costing organisations money and their reputation. Errors in the production and maintenance of hardware could result in physical safety issues. Lack of security could result in fraud or theft of data.