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GCSE Computer Science Revision

Ethical, Legal & Environmental Impacts

The ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of technology, and emerging technologies like AI.

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Is content on the internet free to copy and reuse?

Ethical, Legal & Environmental Impacts is a core part of GCSE Computer Science. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

Data protection lawRules for handling personal data fairly and securely.
Computer Misuse ActMakes unauthorised access to computers illegal.
PrivacyProtecting individuals' personal information.
Environmental impactEnergy use and e-waste from computing.
Intellectual propertyCopyright and licensing of software and content.
Digital divideUnequal access to technology.
CensorshipRestricting access to information.
AI biasUnfair AI decisions due to flawed training data.
SurveillanceMonitoring people's activity or data.
Open sourceSoftware whose code anyone can view and edit.
E-wasteDiscarded electronic devices and components.
Data centreBuilding housing servers — uses lots of power.
Carbon footprintTotal CO2 emitted by an activity or product.
RecyclingReclaiming materials from old devices.

What your exam board covers

Where Ethical, Legal & Environmental Impacts sits in each exam board's specification. Tap a board to see what it lists.

AQAEthical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technologySpec 8525
  • Impacts on wider society
  • Privacy and legislation
  • Environmental impacts

Source: AQA GCSE Computer Science (8525) specification — Subject content, accessed 23 June 2026.

Learn Ethical, Legal & Environmental Impacts step by step

Free interactive mini-lessons: short screens, worked examples and quick checks. Pick your exam board:

Other boards:EdexcelOCRCambridge IGCSE

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Is content on the internet free to copy and reuse?✗ Yes, anything online is free to use.   ✓ No — most is protected by copyright; reuse usually needs permission.
What does the Data Protection Act / GDPR require?✗ Companies can use personal data however they like.   ✓ Personal data is handled fairly, kept secure and used only for stated purposes.

Practise Ethical, Legal & Environmental Impacts — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie▶ Reveal Race▶ Connections Grid▶ Falling Words▶ Word Web

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More GCSE Computer Science topics

Systems ArchitectureMemory & StorageData RepresentationNetworks & the InternetCyber SecurityAlgorithmsProgramming
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