Legal and Ethical Issues in Information Technology
Understanding IT Law, Ethics and Professional Practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
Information technology plays an important role in modern society. People and organisations rely on digital systems to communicate, store information, conduct business and provide services.
However, technology also creates important legal and ethical responsibilities. IT professionals may work with personal information, copyrighted material, intellectual property, confidential information and culturally significant data.
This website explores important legal and ethical issues that apply to the Information Technology sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
What will you learn?
Privacy Act 2020
Learn how New Zealand’s privacy laws regulate the collection, storage, use and sharing of personal information and why privacy is important when designing and managing IT systems.
New Zealand’s Cyber Security Strategy 2019
Explore New Zealand’s national approach to cybersecurity, including the importance of cybersecurity awareness, resilience, international cooperation and responding to cybercrime.
Copyright Act 1994
Understand how copyright protects creative works such as software, websites, images, music and written content, and learn about fair dealing and the use of copyrighted material.
ITP Code of Practice
Explore professional expectations for IT practitioners, including competence, ethical behaviour, professional integrity, responsibility to clients and consideration of the wider community.
Intellectual Property Rights
Learn about patents, trade marks, copyright, designs and other forms of intellectual property, as well as Māori perspectives relating to mātauranga Māori and cultural property.
Why does this matter?
An IT professional’s responsibility extends beyond making technology function correctly.
Technology should also be:
Legal
Secure
Ethical
Responsible
Accessible
Respectful of people and communities
In Aotearoa New Zealand, this also means considering Māori perspectives when working with Māori data, intellectual property, cultural knowledge and digital technology.
Explore the website
Use the navigation menu to explore each topic and then complete the Interactive Quiz to test your understanding.
Start learning
Privacy Act 2020 →
Cyber Security Strategy 2019 →
Copyright Act 1994 →
ITP Code of Practice →
Intellectual Property Rights →
Interactive Quiz →