AP Computer Science Principles Flashcards: Legal and Ethical Concerns
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 29 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the most important rule to follow when using material created by another person?
The use of material created by someone other than you should always be cited.
Card 1 of 29
All Flashcards (29)
What is the most important rule to follow when using material created by another person?
The use of material created by someone other than you should always be cited.
What three specific concerns are raised by the easy distribution of digital information?
The ease of distributing digitized information raises concerns regarding the ownership, value, and use of intellectual property.
What is a major ethical concern related to unequal access to computing?
The digital divide raises ethical concerns around computing.
Can new computing innovations create problems?
Yes, computing innovations can raise legal and ethical concerns.
What is open access?
Open access is a legal way to use materials created by someone else that has enabled broad access to digital information.
Why does digitized information create intellectual property concerns?
The ease of access and distribution of digitized information raises intellectual property concerns regarding ownership, value, and use.
What action is necessary to protect the work of creators?
Measures should be taken to safeguard intellectual property.
Who owns the material created on a computer?
Material created on a computer is the intellectual property of the creator or an organization.
What are the two key components of plagiarism?
Plagiarism involves using material created by someone else without permission and presenting it as one’s own.
What are the potential repercussions of plagiarism?
Plagiarism may have legal consequences.
Why is safeguarding intellectual property important?
It is important because the ease of access and distribution of digitized information raises concerns about ownership, value, and use.
If you use a song licensed under Creative Commons for a school project, what must you do?
The use of material created by someone other than you, even with permission like Creative Commons, should always be cited.
Provide an example of a computing innovation that raises ethical concerns.
An example of a computing innovation that can raise ethical concerns is the development of biased algorithms.
Does presenting someone else's work as your own require their permission to be considered plagiarism?
Yes, plagiarism is defined as using material created by someone else *without permission* and presenting it as one's own.
What kind of concern does the digital divide raise?
The digital divide raises ethical concerns around computing.
What is open source?
Open source is a legal way to use materials created by someone else that has enabled broad access to digital information.
What is intellectual property in the context of computing?
Material created on a computer is the intellectual property of the creator or an organization.
What is Creative Commons?
Creative Commons is a legal way to use materials created by someone else that has enabled broad access to digital information.
What is the collective benefit of systems like open source and open access?
Together, systems like Creative Commons, open source, and open access have enabled broad access to digital information.
What is the relationship between computing and social/political issues?
Computing's role in social and political issues often raises legal and ethical concerns.
Define plagiarism.
Plagiarism is the use of material created by someone else without permission and presented as one’s own.
When does using computing to harm people become a concern?
Using computing to harm individuals or groups of people raises legal and ethical concerns.
In what general way can the use of computing become problematic?
The use of computing can raise legal and ethical concerns, particularly when used to harm individuals or groups, or when it plays a role in social and political issues.
Are legal and ethical concerns limited to a specific type of technology?
No, as with any technology or medium, using computing to harm individuals or groups raises legal and ethical concerns.
Name three examples of legal ways to use materials created by someone else.
Some examples of legal ways to use materials created by someone else include Creative Commons, open source, and open access.
How can algorithms become an ethical issue?
Computing innovations can raise ethical concerns through the development of biased algorithms.
Provide an example of a computing innovation that raises legal concerns.
An example of a computing innovation that can raise legal concerns is software for digital media downloads.
What has been the primary impact of Creative Commons, open source, and open access?
Creative Commons, open source, and open access have enabled broad access to digital information.
How does computing's involvement in social and political issues create problems?
Computing can play a role in social and political issues, which in turn often raises legal and ethical concerns.