Legislation is the act of making and passing laws. Several laws exist to govern the ethical and legal use of computers and data.
1. The Data Protection Act
Aimed at protecting individuals’ rights to privacy. Key rules: an organization holding data on individuals must register under the act; personal data must be processed fairly and lawfully; it should not be disclosed other than lawfully and within the registered purpose; it should be adequate, relevant and not excessive; it should be accurate and kept up to date; it must be processed in accordance with the rights of the data subject; and appropriate security measures must be taken against unauthorized access.
2. The Computer Misuse Act
Makes it an offence to access any computer to which you do not have authorized rights. It introduces three criminal offences: (1) unauthorized access to computer material, (2) unauthorized access with intent to commit or facilitate further offences, and (3) unauthorized modification of computer material.
3. Copyright, Design and Patent Act
Designed to protect intellectual property so authors or creators receive both credit and compensation.
- Copyright: a statutory grant protecting original work – it may not be reproduced, published or copied without the copyright holder’s permission. Ideas themselves are not protected, only the specific presentation of an idea.
- Design: the appearance or construction of something; not automatically protected, it must be registered with the appropriate institution.
- Patent: a grant to inventors giving exclusive monopoly over their invention, letting them stop others from producing, selling or using it. Unlike copyright, a patent protects the idea/design of the invention, not just its tangible form.
4. Health and Safety Act
Designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. Regulations relevant to the computing industry include:
- Display Screen Equipment Regulations: precautions for employees using a visual display unit – adjustable chair and monitor, appropriately placed desk, and suitable lighting.
- Moving and Handling Regulations: rules for safely moving heavy objects, requiring proper training.
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH): covers the safe storage and use of hazardous materials, such as laser printer toners.
