Mobile technologies

The idea

Mobile technologies means portable devices that connect wirelessly to networks, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops using cellular data or Wi-Fi. In this section you must be able to reason about their ethical, legal and environmental effects and about privacy. Ethically, constant location tracking and app permissions raise questions about consent and surveillance. Legally, handling personal data must comply with data protection law, and unauthorised access to a device or network is a criminal offence. Environmentally, manufacturing uses scarce metals and energy, while disposal creates e-waste unless devices are recycled. Privacy issues include location data, cameras and microphones, and data shared with apps. A good method is to name the device or use, identify who is affected, then state the benefit and the drawback before judging.

What earns the marks

• Identifies mobile technologies as portable devices connecting over cellular or wireless networks, for example smartphones, tablets and laptops.
• Explains an ethical issue such as consent for app permissions, location tracking or surveillance of users.
• Explains a legal issue such as data protection duties when personal data is stored, or offences for unauthorised access.
• Explains an environmental issue such as energy and scarce materials in manufacture, or e-waste from disposal.
• Explains a privacy issue such as location data, camera or microphone access, or personal data shared with apps.
• Balances a benefit of mobile technology against a drawback and reaches a supported judgement.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating mobile technology as only phones.

  Put it right by including tablets, laptops and wearables that connect wirelessly.

• Listing a benefit without any impact.

  Put it right by naming who is affected and what ethical, legal, environmental or privacy effect follows.

• Assuming all data collection is illegal.

  Put it right by explaining that lawful processing depends on consent, purpose and data protection rules.

Exam tips

• Read the question to see whether it asks for one impact category or a balance of benefit and drawback, then answer that scope.
• Use a named example such as a fitness app tracking location, then state the privacy or ethical concern precisely.
• Link each point to a consequence for people, organisations or the environment rather than just naming a device.