AQA A-Level Computer Science AS Paper 2, June 2025: Question 12

Qu Pt Marking Guidance Marks

12 9 marks are for AO2 (analyse) 9

Level of response question:

Mark

Level Description

Range

3 A line of reasoning has been followed to produce a coherent, 7–9

relevant, substantiated and logically structured response.

Answers in this level demonstrate balance and reason in the

points addressed. The response covers a wide and nuanced

range of issues and is likely to cover the moral/ethical, legal

and cultural aspects of the question. A range of the points

made will have been expanded upon using clear examples

and references to real-world implications.

2 A line of reasoning has been followed to produce a mostly 4–6

coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured

response. Answers in this level demonstrate a degree of

balance and reason in the points addressed, though not so

consistently. The response is likely to cover at least two of the

aspects of the question. Some of the points made will have

been expanded on and some of these may use examples but

these might not always exemplify the points made or be

lacking in references to real-world implications.

1 There is little evidence that a line of reasoning has been 1–3

followed. Answers in this level may lack balance and reason

in the points addressed. The response will attempt to identify

some issues raised by the question; points are not likely to be

expanded upon but where they are, the examples may not be

relevant or not relate to the points being made.

Indicative content

Moral, ethical, legal and cultural issues

Moral/Ethical (individual beliefs/society)

• Individuals might not wish for images of them to be uploaded to the platform but

are unlikely to have much (if any) say when someone else uploads an image.

• Individuals could have their privacy infringed by having images featuring them

(accidentally or deliberately) uploaded to the platform.

• The company could have access to a lot of personal information based on the

content of images and the associated metadata.

• The company intends to sell the images it owns to third-parties potentially

without credit to the creators, which is arguably unethical, even before the

nature of the third-parties or the true ownership of images are considered.

• The images uploaded could be illegal or provide evidence relating to criminal

activity, hence it could be argued the company has an ethical duty to report all–––

such images to the authorities.

• It might be possible to apply facial recognition to identify individuals or establish

relationships with individuals.

• It might be possible to identify locations or track the movement of people across

time.

Legal

• Images are likely to be transmitted internationally, passing through countries with

different laws regarding data collection and privacy.

• Computer Misuse Act would be applied in the UK to prevent unauthorised

access to subscriber data, the images collected and any other personal

information residing on company servers.

• The provenance/ownership to the images would need to be confirmed before the

company could sell them or claim them as company property, lest the company

be in breach of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act.

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) affords protections to data subjects

and provides rights relating to access, accuracy, deletion, etc.

• A non-subscriber uploading an image might not actually own the image, hence

they are unable to transfer ownership to the company.

Cultural (subgroups)

• Photographs can have different significance across different cultures, with the

photographs of some subject matters being considered offensive or

inappropriate.

• Images taken inside religious buildings for some purposes may be considered

inappropriate.

• Some cultural beliefs may not allow photography of people.

• Need for balance between cultural sensitivities and freedom of expression.