Computing Related Legislation (OCR A Level Computer Science): Exam Questions

A team of programmers create a robot that will be used in a factory. The robot will be able to do the work of multiple humans.

The robot’s web interface uses images that show the robot in action. These photographs have been taken using a digital camera.

The programmers do not want other people to download and use these images.

State the name of one relevant piece of legislation and describe how this would protect these images.

A video streaming service uses a relational database. An extract of the data from two tables from this database is shown in Fig. 2.

Membership contains data about current memberships that customers hold and package contains data about different streaming packages available.

The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 applies to all videos that are streamed. Explain how this act applies to the videos.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000) has been described as both a vital legal tool to ensure the public’s safety and an attack on an individual’s freedoms.

Evaluate the purpose and use of the Act.

You should include

• the additional powers given under the Act

• to whom these powers are given

• the perceived benefits and/or drawbacks of the Act.

“The Computer Misuse Act means that computer users are criminalised for simply trying to learn how systems work.”

Discuss whether or not you agree with this statement.

The Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is responsible for monitoring communications in order to keep the UK secure. A large part of its job involves trying to break into encrypted messages.

GCHQ has to operate within the law.

Describe how the law allows GCHQ to monitor communications.

‘Technology is changing too quickly for the law to keep up.’

Discuss to what extent you agree with the statement above.

In your discussion you should explain which laws regulate the use of technology and how advancements in technology have made the laws difficult to enforce/implement.

A number of laws govern the use of computers.

For each of the following scenarios tick one law that is being broken.

Describe the purpose of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.