6.1.16
Freedom of Information Act
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Freedom of Information Act (2000)
The freedom of information (FOI) act regards how data is kept within public bodies.

What is a public body?
- A public body is an organisation that provides a public service.
- Public bodies include:
- Hospitals.
- Schools.
- Police forces.
- Armed forces.
- Government.

What is the FOI act?
- The FOI act states that public bodies must regularly publish certain information.
- It also gives members of the public the right to request information that is held by public bodies.

What can be requested?
- Members of the public can request:
- CCTV footage.
- Statistics.
- Financial information.
- Activity logs.
- The public body does not need to release the information if releasing the information would cause harm to an individual or endanger national security.
Legal Issues
Increased use of technology has presented many legal issues.

Data Protection Act
- The DPA determines what organisations can do with personal data that they have collected.
- The DPA also defines the rights of the individual over the data that is stored about them.
- In 2018, the DPA was strengthened by the introduction of a new act called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Computer Misuse Act
- It is illegal to attempt to access a computer or its contents without authorisation.
- It is illegal to attempt to access a network or device with the intent of committing further criminal activity.
- It is illegal to intend to modify or destroy a computer system, software or data without authorisation.

Copyright Designs and Patent Act
- Copyright automatically applies to any original creative work that is physically expressed - you don't have to register the work.
- Under the act, it is illegal to:
- Make copies of copyrighted material.
- Share copyrighted material.
- Use unlicensed software.
- Plagiarise someone's creative work.
1Problem Solving
1.1Algorithms
1.2Decomposition & Abstraction
2Programming
2.1Develop Code
2.2Constructs
2.3Data Types & Structures
2.6Subprograms
3Data
3.2Data Representation
3.3Data Storage & Compression
3.4Encryption
4Computers
4.1Machines & Computational Modelling
4.2Hardware
4.2.1Elements of Computer Systems4.2.2Types of Computer Systems4.2.3Memory - RAM4.2.4Memory - ROM4.2.5Memory - Cache4.2.6Running Out of Memory4.2.7Virtual Memory4.2.8Magnetic Storage4.2.9Properties of Magnetic Media4.2.10Examples of Magnetic Storage4.2.11Solid State Storage4.2.12Properties of Solid State Media4.2.13Optical Storage4.2.14Properties of Optical Storage4.2.15Examples of Optical Storage4.2.16Types of Optical Disk4.2.17Von Neumann Architecture4.2.18Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)4.2.19Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle4.2.20Factors Affecting CPU Performance4.2.21The Cloud4.2.22How the Cloud Works4.2.23The Cloud - Pros4.2.24The Cloud - Cons4.2.25End of Topic Test - Hardware
4.4Software
5Communication & The Internet
5.1Networks
5.1.1Benefits of Networks5.1.2Network Performance5.1.3Types of Network5.1.4Client-Server Model5.1.5Pros of Client-Server Model5.1.6Cons of Client-Server Model5.1.7Peer-to-Peer Model5.1.8Pros of Peer-to-Peer Model5.1.9Cons of Peer-to-Peer Model5.1.10Network Hardware5.1.11Transmission Media5.1.12WiFi5.1.13WiFi Frequency and Channels5.1.14WiFi Encryption5.1.15Network Protocols5.1.16Transmission Protocols5.1.17Web Protocols5.1.18Email Protocols5.1.19Layers5.1.20TCP and OSI Models5.1.21Advantages of Layering5.1.22Topology - Star5.1.23Topology - Mesh5.1.24Topology - Ring5.1.25Topology - Bus5.1.26End of Topic Test - Networks
5.2Network Security
6The Bigger Picture
6.1Emerging Trends, Issues & Impact
6.1.1E-Waste6.1.2Energy Consumption6.1.3Positive Environmental Impact6.1.4Ethical Issues - The Digital Divide6.1.5Ethical Issues - Net Neutrality6.1.6Ethical Issues - Working Conditions6.1.7Ethical Issues - Censorship6.1.8Online Activity Tracking6.1.9The Internet of Things6.1.10Positive Cultural Impacts6.1.11Negative Cultural Impacts6.1.12Data Protection Act6.1.13Computer Misuse Act6.1.14Copyright Designs and Parents Act6.1.15Creative Commons Licensing6.1.16Freedom of Information Act6.1.17Open Source Software6.1.18Proprietary Software6.1.19Licensing Issues6.1.20End of Topic Test - Software & Issues
Jump to other topics
1Problem Solving
1.1Algorithms
1.2Decomposition & Abstraction
2Programming
2.1Develop Code
2.2Constructs
2.3Data Types & Structures
2.6Subprograms
3Data
3.2Data Representation
3.3Data Storage & Compression
3.4Encryption
4Computers
4.1Machines & Computational Modelling
4.2Hardware
4.2.1Elements of Computer Systems4.2.2Types of Computer Systems4.2.3Memory - RAM4.2.4Memory - ROM4.2.5Memory - Cache4.2.6Running Out of Memory4.2.7Virtual Memory4.2.8Magnetic Storage4.2.9Properties of Magnetic Media4.2.10Examples of Magnetic Storage4.2.11Solid State Storage4.2.12Properties of Solid State Media4.2.13Optical Storage4.2.14Properties of Optical Storage4.2.15Examples of Optical Storage4.2.16Types of Optical Disk4.2.17Von Neumann Architecture4.2.18Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)4.2.19Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle4.2.20Factors Affecting CPU Performance4.2.21The Cloud4.2.22How the Cloud Works4.2.23The Cloud - Pros4.2.24The Cloud - Cons4.2.25End of Topic Test - Hardware
4.4Software
5Communication & The Internet
5.1Networks
5.1.1Benefits of Networks5.1.2Network Performance5.1.3Types of Network5.1.4Client-Server Model5.1.5Pros of Client-Server Model5.1.6Cons of Client-Server Model5.1.7Peer-to-Peer Model5.1.8Pros of Peer-to-Peer Model5.1.9Cons of Peer-to-Peer Model5.1.10Network Hardware5.1.11Transmission Media5.1.12WiFi5.1.13WiFi Frequency and Channels5.1.14WiFi Encryption5.1.15Network Protocols5.1.16Transmission Protocols5.1.17Web Protocols5.1.18Email Protocols5.1.19Layers5.1.20TCP and OSI Models5.1.21Advantages of Layering5.1.22Topology - Star5.1.23Topology - Mesh5.1.24Topology - Ring5.1.25Topology - Bus5.1.26End of Topic Test - Networks
5.2Network Security
6The Bigger Picture
6.1Emerging Trends, Issues & Impact
6.1.1E-Waste6.1.2Energy Consumption6.1.3Positive Environmental Impact6.1.4Ethical Issues - The Digital Divide6.1.5Ethical Issues - Net Neutrality6.1.6Ethical Issues - Working Conditions6.1.7Ethical Issues - Censorship6.1.8Online Activity Tracking6.1.9The Internet of Things6.1.10Positive Cultural Impacts6.1.11Negative Cultural Impacts6.1.12Data Protection Act6.1.13Computer Misuse Act6.1.14Copyright Designs and Parents Act6.1.15Creative Commons Licensing6.1.16Freedom of Information Act6.1.17Open Source Software6.1.18Proprietary Software6.1.19Licensing Issues6.1.20End of Topic Test - Software & Issues
Practice questions on Freedom of Information Act
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1Which of these is an example of a public body?Multiple choice
- 2Members of the public can request:True / false
- 3
- 4What is illegal under the CDPA?Fill in the list
- 5
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