Assessment

Criteria

• Content: Awareness of issues; analysis of relevant law; clarity and development of argument; appropriate sources to substantiate and illustrate argument; full acknowledgment of references and sources used.

• Structure: Clarity and order of argument.
• Style: Objective style; correct spelling and grammar.

Topics:

Write an essay on ONE of the following:

1. “To protect people’s privacy, while allowing and encouraging the innovation that digital technology allows, we must balance freedom and responsibility online. The Data Protection Act has done this well, providing us with more control over how our personal information is used and limiting processing to the purpose for which it was collected, subject to various public interest exemptions. We have stronger protections in the UK than most, and our regulatory arrangements are often seen as the gold standard. While we should all be assured that data is well protected in the UK, change is needed. The technology, and society has changed” (Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital; Data Protection Bill 2017 Statement of Intent).
Critically assess the existing regime of the Data Protection Act 1998. Are the protections (and duties) successful? If so, is then the movement to a new, updated Data Protection Act necessary? Provide evidence to justify your answer.

2. 'A negligent software user may be as dangerous as negligently-written software, and both can result in expensive legal liability.' Discuss, with reference to ONE of the following:
(a) driverless cars
(b) robots, considering as a starting point the concerns recently raised in a European Parliament report

3. ‘The security of E-Commerce lies on a shaky foundation of trust, because the legal foundation for on-line business and digital contracts is fragmented and ineffectual.' Discuss in relation to Cloud Computing commercial operations.

4. Discuss the role of data protection in the era of the ‘Internet of Things’ considering UK and EU law, with additional reference to the responsibilities of online service operators.

5. ‘Digital technology makes computer crime more likely, detection less likely, and thus effective legal regulation exceedingly difficult.’ Discuss, with reference to ONE of the following problems:
(a) Ransomware
(b) Illegal online sales
(c) Bitcoin and criminal activities

6. Evaluate, with particular reference to UK law, the extent to which social networking in the form of Facebook and/or Twitter activity creates problems for the legal regulation of the Internet.

7. 'Developments in digital technology make it impossible to impose effective legal regulation of on-line activities.' Discuss, with reference to ONE of the following problems:
(a) Software copyright infringement
(b) unauthorised online streaming of television broadcasts

8. Choose a title of your own within the areas covered in the module’s law element. If you choose this option, you must seek approval for your proposed title from Nicholas Gervassis, who will advise you on the suitability of your choice and consider the wording with you. Your title must have been negotiated and approved by the teaching team no later than Friday 15 December 2017. Note that if you do NOT have a title which is approved under (7), then you MUST use the exact text of the above questions in 1 to 7.

General Advice on Your Coursework Assignment

• Most of these questions are fairly broad. You are not expected to deal with every aspect of them. It is usually better to deal with a few issues in depth than take a very general approach, which will inevitably be superficial.

• Answer the Question: Your answer must relate to the wording of the essay title you are supposed to be analysing. It is not enough to write everything you know about a particular aspect of law. Failure to address the title will result in very low marks. The marking criteria of awareness and analysis relate to this.

• The Law: Your answer is expected to have relevant and accurate legal content. You are expected to focus on United Kingdom law, but the nature of the subject encourages you to take a comparative and/or international approach as well. It may be useful to consider both United States and European law, for example. However, you must make it clear that you are aware of the relevant jurisdiction when citing sources from overseas.

Referencing:

• Your essay should be supported (where relevant) by appropriate evidence. Any such information that you present must be appropriately cited and referenced in your report - if you are unfamiliar with referencing style, then a Google search for 'Harvard referencing' will help to enlighten you.

• Although you will be expected to make significant use of printed and online literature in researching and producing your materials, it is not acceptable for you to simply cut and paste material from other sources (small quotes are acceptable, but they must be clearly indicated as being quotes and the source must be referenced appropriately).

• Use Harvard referencing style, and make sure you are using it correctly when citing legal sources and material.

Assessment Criteria • Content: Awareness of issues; analysis...