Social, ethical and legal issues

Term

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Definition

The effects of software on people and organisations: employment, data security, privacy, copyright, intellectual property and digital disruption.

Example: 2025 Q23a marker note: give more than one issue and support each with the stimulus.

Found in: syllabus, school notes.

Where you'll use it in the test

Syllabus area: Y12 Secure Software Architecture.

Question types it can appear in

Short answer: Outline social and ethical issues using the stimulus (2025 Q23a)
Extended response: Use it as a supporting point linked to the stimulus.

Where it has appeared in the paper

Secure Software Architecture (Part A, D). Part letters follow each paper’s own layout.

How to use it

A model sentence

General advice, built from the definition and example above

“The effects of software on people and organisations: employment, data security, privacy, copyright, intellectual property and digital disruption.” Then apply it: 2025 Q23a marker note: give more than one issue and support each with the stimulus.

In a short answer, give the definition in your own words first, then tie it to the situation in the question. Do not copy the example above unless it fits the scenario.

Command words used with it

From the linked past questions

Outline: Sketch in general terms; indicate the main features of. (2025 HSC Q23a (3 marks): Social and ethical issues)
Describe: Provide characteristics and features. (2022 Software Design and Development HSC Q21 (3 marks): Social, ethical and legal responsibilities)

Official worked answer

2025 HSC Q23a (3 marks): Social and ethical issues (3 marks): official criteria and sample answer

Criteria

3: Outlines relevant social and ethical issues. 2: Outlines ONE social or ethical issue OR identifies relevant issues. 1: Identifies ONE relevant issue.

Sample answer

The website will need to ensure payment and address data is appropriately secured and accessible only to authorised personnel. It also needs to ensure that pages can be viewed in a wide variety of languages and that the information about dishes displayed is accurate and representative of the product.

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Go deeper

Flashcard: Social, ethical and legal issues in Secure Software Architecture (Year 12) · study that set
Memorise: Describe the benefits of developing secure software
Notes: Skeleton: Assess/Discuss social, ethical and legal issues of secure software (5-6 marks) (Secure Software Architecture (Year 12))
Notes: Evaluate the social, ethical and legal issues and ramifications that affect people and… (Secure Software Architecture (Year 12))
Full term page: every question, note and marking comment for Social, ethical and legal issues

Check yourself

Explain “Social, ethical and legal issues” in one sentence, give an example, and name a question type that could test it.

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