Lesson video

Hello, my name's Ms. Powell and welcome to computing.

I'm so pleased that you decided to join me here today.

In today's lesson, we're going to be talking about privacy and some of the laws that protect it.

Let's get started.

Welcome to today's lesson from the unit Online Safety.

This lesson is called Right to Privacy, and in this lesson we'll discuss investigating the legal rights to privacy within the UK.

We'll be using these keywords throughout today's lesson.

Let's take a look at them.

The first word is privacy.

Privacy, this means the right to keep your personal life private.

The next word is data protection.

Data protection, this means ensuring data is used, collected, shared, and stored legally and fairly.

The last word is privacy policy.

Privacy policy, this means a document that details how organisations use, collect, share, and store people's data.

Lesson outline, right to privacy.

This lesson is split into two sections.

In the first section, we'll look at recognising UK laws that protect privacy.

In the second section, we'll look at debating the importance of right to privacy.

Let's get started with the first section, recognise UK laws that protect privacy.

Recognise UK laws that protect privacy.

Here are four key documents that protect your privacy.

The Human Rights Act Article 8 1998, Data Protection Act 2018, Investigatory Powers Act 2016, General Data Protection Regulation 2018.

We'll look at how these laws protect our privacy.

Article 8 of the Human Rights Act states: "Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence." This is known as the right to privacy.

Article 8 of the Human Rights Act means you are protected from: your communications being monitored, including phone tapping, the monitoring of emails and internet use and CCTV.

Your home being searched or put under surveillance.

Your personal information, such as your sexuality or medical history being disclosed to other people without your consent.

Losing your rights.

You may lose some or all of these protections if it is a matter of public safety, or if you have broken the law.

Do you think this is fair? Pause the video and have a quick think.

The debate around whether offenders should lose human rights involves differing viewpoints on the relationship between punishment, citizenship, and principles of democracy and human rights.

Some argue that criminals, by breaking the social contract, forfeit certain rights, while others maintain that all individuals, even those incarcerated, retain their fundamental human rights.

In some cases, arguments for limiting rights are rooted in concerns about public safety, particularly with regards to those who pose a continuing risk to society.

Data Protection Act 2018.

The Data Protection Act governs how the data of UK citizens can be collected, stored, and shared.

Those who collect data must follow the data protection principles.

The data protection principles ensure data is used, number one, fairly and lawfully, number two, for a specific and necessary purpose.

That data is kept, number one, accurate and up to date, number two, only for as long as it is needed, and that the data is handled securely and protected against unauthorised access, destruction or damage.

Fill in the gaps.

The data protection principles specify that data should be kept accurate and blank and for only as blank.

Pause the video and have a quick think.

See if you can work out what the missing words are.

Let's check the answers.

The data protection principles specify that data should be kept accurate and up to date and for only as long as it is needed.

General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR.

GDPR is the EU equivalent of the Data Protection Act 2018.

It requires data collectors to, number one, obtain consent from the data subjects they collect data from.

Number two, report data breaches within 72 hours to data subjects and in some cases to the authorities.

GDPR is the EU equivalent of the Data Protection Act 2018.

It requires data collectors to, number three, provide access to data subjects who want to see what data the company has collected on them.

This includes producing a report on the extent of the data collected and how it is being used, as well as providing the data itself, so that data subjects can use it for their own purposes.

Number four, delete data on data subjects if requested.

Number five, protect the data in their care and build data protection into their systems. Data Protection Act 2018 versus GDPR.

Do you think we should all be entitled to the same data protection rights? Pause the video and have a quick think.

Why? Do you think it would be possible to create a worldwide law that gives everyone the same data protection rights? Pause the video and have a quick think.

Ideally, everyone should have the same fundamental data protection rights, including the right to privacy, access to their personal data, and the right rectify inaccurate information.

Data protection is a fundamental right that protects an individual's autonomy and dignity in the digital age.

While the specifics of data protection laws may vary from country to country, the underlying principles of fairness, equality, and individual rights should be universal.

However, it's important to acknowledge that there can be legitimate exceptions to these rights in specific circumstances, such as in law enforcement or national security.

These exceptions should be narrowly defined and subject to strict oversight to ensure they don't undermine the fundamental right to data protection.

Not all countries have the same level or kind of data protection rights.

While a significant number of countries have implemented data privacy laws, the specifics and scope vary wildly.

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016, also known as the Snooper's Charter, sets out the rules that law enforcement must follow when collecting data on people they suspect to have committed a crime.

It also sets out the requirements of private companies that collect data on citizens, so that they can help law enforcement.

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 enables law enforcement to intercept the online communications of a person if it is, number one, in the interest of national security, number two, in the interest of the economic wellbeing of the UK, number three, in support of the prevention or detention or detection of serious crime.

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

It also requires online communication companies to keep records of communications for up to a year, so that they can give them to law enforcement and bans companies from using or developing communication tools that prevent law enforcement from accessing such communications, e.

g.

encryption tools.

Do you think the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 is compatible with the other pieces of legislation we have looked at today? Pause the video and have a quick think.

I have a task here for you.

I'd like you to give it a try.

Match the UK privacy laws with their definitions.

We have Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, Data Protection Act and Investigatory Powers Act.

And the definitions are this law governs the ability of law enforcement to infringe on citizens' right to privacy.

This law gives citizens the right to privacy.

Your personal information cannot be disclosed to other people without your consent.

This law governs how the data of UK citizens can be collected, stored, and shared.

Pause the video to finish the task.

Let's look at the answers.

Article 8 of the Human Rights Act.

This law gives citizens the right to privacy.

Your personal information cannot be disclosed to other people without your consent.

Data Protection Act.

This law governs how the data of UK citizens can be collected, stored, and shared.

Investigatory Powers Act.

This law governs the ability of law enforcement to infringe on citizens' right to privacy.

I have a task here for you, I'd like you to give it a try.

Consider some of the different types of data we have discussed so far in this course: purchases, location, mouse movements, search history, contents you've streamed or downloaded, which adverts you've watched or clicked, demographic information, e.

g.

age, gender, job, computer characteristics, e.

g.

browser, battery life, screen size, conversations and contact details.

Number one, who would you be prepared to share this data with? Sort the data types into the relevant parts of the table and give reasons for your opinions.

So in the left hand column you can see data and reason, so you need to choose the data and describe the reason.

Pause the video to finish the table.

I'd like to give you some feedback.

Data, mouse movements, I'd like that completely private, and the reason is I think I'd keep my mouse movements private.

I'm not really sure anyone I know would want or need this data.

The next pieces of data are location, search history and computer characteristics.

I'm prepared to share this data with my family.

The reason is it's helpful for me to share my location so my family can keep an eye on me.

They can also check my search history regularly to make sure I'm using the internet safely.

The next piece of data is contact details, conversations, demographic information, and I'd like to share this with my close friends.

The reason being I'd be happy to share this data with my close friends.

Sometimes I share conversations in chats, but there are some conversations I'd want to keep more private.

Next, we have purchases which adverts you've watched or clicked, content you've streamed or downloaded.

I'd be happy to share this with companies.

The reason is sometimes it's helpful for companies to know what I've watched or purchased to give recommendations.

And in the completely public column, I haven't put any data at all.

The reason is I'm quite a private person, so I wouldn't really want to share anything publicly.

I've got another task here for you I'd like you to finish.

Number two, explain how UK laws can help to protect your privacy.

Pause the video and finish the task.

I'd like to give you some feedback on that.

Explain how UK laws can help to protect your privacy.

"I didn't realise there were so many laws protecting my privacy.

For example, the Data Protection Act helps to protect the information that is collected and stored about me.

I feel much safer knowing that there are laws that do this.

I think they help me to share data with the people I want to.

Laws such as Article 8 of the Human Rights Act helps to protect my privacy and the information that I do not want to share." Fantastic.

That brings us to the end of the first section, recognise UK laws that protect privacy.

Let's move on to the next section, debate the importance of right to privacy.

Do you have a right to privacy? In practise, which of the following rights do you think you have and which rights do you think are being denied? This might include right to be informed on data breaches, right to informed consent before data is collected, freedom from surveillance, right to access data held about you by an organisation, right to be forgotten by requiring a company to delete the data they have on you, right to keep your private life private.

Pause the video and have a quick think.

When do we forfeit our rights? Do you think that you ever give up your rights to privacy? Pause the video and have a quick think.

When you sign up to a website such as a shopping website or an app, such as a social networking site, you have to sign a terms and conditions document.

The terms and condition document contain a privacy policy that outline what the company will do with your data.

For example, number one, what data they will collect.

Number two, how they will use it.

Number three, who they will send it to.

Terms and conditions.

The terms and conditions may require you to forfeit rights, such as your ability to withdraw consent from certain parties accessing your data, or make it harder for you to access your rights because you have lost track of who knows what about you.

Did you know when you create some social media accounts, they can have access to your contacts, camera and microphone? Did you know some apps know all the other apps you've installed on your phone and information about your device, including the make and model of your phone and how much battery you have left? Did you know some social media platforms share data, usage data, contacts, device information, et cetera, they collected on you with other companies? Some can collect data on you even if you do not create an account.

True or false, if you sign up to an app, you could be forfeiting some of your privacy rights? Pause the video and have a think, is that true or false? The answer's true.

Why is that? When you sign up for an app, you grant permission by agreeing to the terms and conditions for the company to access your contacts, camera and microphone and data about your device, such as the make and model you are using.

True or false, all apps collect the same data from their users? Pause the video and how quick think, is that true or false? The answer's false.

Why is that? Each app will have its own terms and conditions.

It's important to read the terms and conditions, so that you can make an educated decision on whether to use the app or not.

If you use lots of apps, it might be tricky to keep track of who knows what about you.

Should citizens have a complete right to privacy? What would a society with a complete right to privacy look like? Consider, number one, who has the right to take away our privacy and why they might need to do that.

Number two, what the benefits of living in a society with a complete right to privacy might be.

Number three, what problems might occur if we all had a complete right to privacy? While a complete absolute right to privacy might be a desirable goal, it's not universally accepted or practically feasible.

The right to privacy is a fundamental human right that protects individuals from unwarranted interference in their personal and family life, home and correspondence.

However, it's not absolute and can be limited in certain circumstances, such as for national security or public safety.

The right to privacy must be balanced against other rights and interests, such as freedom of expression and the need for transparency in government and public life.

In some cases, transparency and accountability can be essential for public good, even if it means some degree of intrusion into private lives.

Should citizens have no right to privacy? What would a society with no right to privacy look like? Consider who might need privacy and what would happen if they could not protect it.

Number two, what benefits might be of living in a society with no right to privacy? Number three, what problems might occur if we all had no right to privacy? A world without the concept of privacy would fundamentally alter individual behaviour, societal structures, and the nature of interpersonal relationships.

Individuals would likely be under constant observation, whether by governments, corporations, or even peers.

This could create a culture of self-censorship where people limit their expressions and actions due to fear of judgement or repercussions.

Governments could easily exploit the lack of privacy to suppress dissent and control the populace, leading to potential abuses of power and erosion of democratic freedoms. Without privacy, personal data would be freely available, leading to exploitative practises by businesses.

Companies could use this data for targeted marketing or manipulation, often without consent.

Task B, debate the importance of right to privacy.

The right to privacy spectrum.

There are lots of different possible levels of privacy that can be given to citizens in a society.

Number one, consider the statements provided on the next slide and arrange them on the spectrum.

At the start of the spectrum is no privacy and the end of the spectrum is complete privacy.

Number one, the use of CCTV in cameras.

Where does that rate on the spectrum from no privacy to complete privacy? Number two, media taking photos and publishing information about private citizens.

Number three, companies obtaining data on private citizens.

Number four, police monitoring individuals and using surveillance.

Number five, an individual's rights to request their personal data.

Pause the video to finish the task.

I'd like to give you some feedback.

Which levels of privacy rights do you think is appropriate for society and why? CCTV.

Sam's placed them here.

There are CCTV cameras in everyone's home.

That would be no privacy.

There are CCTV cameras in all public places, and there are CCTV cameras in areas of high crime.

Which level of privacy rights do you think is appropriate for society and why? Media.

Sam says no privacy.

The media can take photos of and publish private information about any citizen without their consent.

The media can take photos of and publish private information about any citizen without their consent if it's in the public interest.

And complete privacy, the media can only take photos of and publish private information about any citizen if they have their informed consent.

Companies obtaining data.

No privacy.

Companies can collect data on citizens about their consent.

Companies must obtain informed consent to collect data, but citizens are likely to willingly give up their data without reading the terms and conditions.

And complete privacy.

Companies must obtain informed consent to collect data, and most citizens are aware of their privacy rights and sceptical of giving up their data.

The police.

No privacy.

The police monitor all citizens, have access to all their communications, et cetera, regardless of whether they have broken the law or not.

It is against the law to read someone's communications or enter their home without their consent.

And complete privacy, the police cannot infringe your privacy, e.

g.

read your emails or enter your home without your consent, even if you've broken the law.

Well done for finishing that task.

I've got another task here for you.

Number two, pick one of the following and create a debate to either A, argue that the measure is necessary, or B, argue that the measure compromises an individual's right to privacy.

You have three choices below.

There are CCTV cameras in everyone's home.

The police monitor all citizens, have access to all their communications, et cetera, regardless of whether they have broken the law or not.

Companies can collect data on citizens without their consent.

I'd like to give you some feedback.

The police monitor all citizens, have access to all their communications, et cetera, regardless of whether they've broken the law or not.

Sam says, "I don't think that the police should have the right to monitor all citizens, regardless of whether they're broken the law or not.

I think this level of monitoring compromises an individual's right to privacy.

You should not be monitored unless you have done something wrong or the police suspect that you may have broken the law." Perhaps you might have agreed with Sam or disagreed.

The debate on privacy is ongoing, and laws are constantly updated to reflect changing attitudes.

However, as more of our lives turn online, the debate on privacy is very important.

Privacy can change societal structures, relationships, and the powers of authority.

Let's summarise right to privacy.

In the UK, there are laws designed to protect privacy.

The Data Protection Act governs how the data of UK citizens can be collected, stored, and used.

Article 8 of the Human Rights Act gives citizens a right to privacy, unless this right threatens national security.

Some laws like the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 take away privacy rights in certain circumstances.

Laws are used to prosecute and made to deter some individuals from committing crimes, but they do not stop laws being broken in the first place.