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Ethical & Security Challenges of New Tech

Introduction

The pattern on Ethical & Security Challenges of New Tech is increasingly important in competitive exams like SSC CGL, IBPS PO, and RRB NTPC due to rapid technological advancements. Questions focus on understanding the ethical dilemmas and security risks posed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data privacy, cybersecurity, deepfakes, and digital surveillance. Awareness of officially enacted government policies and global frameworks addressing these challenges is also tested.

Pattern: Ethical & Security Challenges of New Tech

Pattern

This pattern tests knowledge of ethical issues and security risks arising from new technologies, including AI, data privacy, cyber threats, and regulatory responses.

Key Concept:

Ethical challenges involve privacy, bias, accountability, transparency, and informed consent in technology use; security challenges include cyberattacks, ransomware, data breaches, and misuse of AI-generated content.

Important Points:

  • Data Privacy = Protection of personal data against unauthorized access or misuse under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
  • AI Ethics = Ensuring fairness, transparency, explainability, and accountability in AI systems (as reflected in OECD AI Principles and UNESCO AI Ethics Recommendation).
  • Cybersecurity = Measures to protect systems from hacking, malware, phishing, ransomware, and cyber espionage under the IT Act, 2000.
  • Deepfake Regulation = Government advisories and IT Rules addressing misuse of AI-generated synthetic media.

Related Topics:

  • Information Technology Act, 2000 (with amendments, notably 2008)
  • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
  • OECD AI Principles (2019, updated 2024)
  • UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021)

Step-by-Step Example

Question

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 emphasizes which of the following core principles?

Options:

  • A. Unlimited data collection without consent
  • B. Mandatory data monetization by companies
  • C. Lawful processing based on consent and legitimate use
  • D. Complete exemption of all government agencies

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the law

    The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 governs processing of digital personal data in India.
  2. Step 2: Understand core principle

    The Act emphasizes lawful processing based on consent and certain legitimate uses defined under the law.
  3. Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options

    Unlimited data collection and mandatory monetization contradict privacy safeguards. Government exemptions are conditional, not complete.
  4. Final Answer:

    Lawful processing based on consent and legitimate use → Option C
  5. Quick Check:

    DPDP Act 2023 = Consent-based lawful processing ✅

Quick Variations

This pattern may appear as questions on cyber security incidents, AI bias concerns, deepfake misuse advisories, OECD AI Principles, UNESCO AI ethics framework, or data protection laws such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Trick to Always Use

  • Remember key terms: Consent, Transparency, Accountability, Privacy
  • Link DPDP Act 2023 with consent-based data processing
  • Associate AI Ethics with fairness and bias mitigation

Summary

Summary

  • Ethical challenges include privacy, bias, transparency, and accountability in new tech.
  • Security challenges focus on cyberattacks, ransomware, and data breaches.
  • India’s key law = Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
  • Global AI ethics frameworks include OECD (2019/2024 update) and UNESCO (2021).

Remember:
“Consent and Accountability are the pillars of Ethical Tech”

Practice

(1/5)
1. Which Act governs digital personal data protection in India as of 2026?
easy
A. Information Technology Act, 2000
B. Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
C. Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019
D. Cybersecurity Act, 2025

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the current law

    The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is the enacted legislation governing digital personal data in India.
  2. Step 2: Eliminate outdated options

    The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 was withdrawn. There is no Cybersecurity Act, 2025 enacted.
  3. Final Answer:

    Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 → Option B
  4. Quick Check:

    DPDP Act = 2023 law ✅
Hint: DPDP = Data Protection 2023.
Common Mistakes: Marking the withdrawn 2019 Bill.
2. Under the IT Act, 2000, CERT-In functions primarily to:
easy
A. Regulate telecom tariffs
B. Conduct elections digitally
C. Respond to cybersecurity incidents
D. Issue digital currency

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify CERT-In

    CERT-In is the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team.
  2. Step 2: Understand role

    It responds to cybersecurity incidents and issues advisories.
  3. Final Answer:

    Respond to cybersecurity incidents → Option C
  4. Quick Check:

    CERT-In = Cyber incident response ✅
Hint: CERT = Cyber Emergency Response Team.
Common Mistakes: Confusing CERT-In with telecom or RBI functions.
3. Which of the following is a key ethical concern related to generative AI tools?
easy
A. Improved automation efficiency
B. Bias and misinformation spread
C. Faster computing speed
D. Reduced electricity consumption

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify ethical issues

    Generative AI raises concerns about bias, deepfakes, and misinformation.
  2. Step 2: Eliminate non-ethical aspects

    Efficiency and computing speed are technical benefits, not ethical risks.
  3. Final Answer:

    Bias and misinformation spread → Option B
  4. Quick Check:

    Generative AI risk = misinformation & bias ✅
Hint: GenAI risk → Bias + Deepfakes.
Common Mistakes: Choosing performance-related improvements.
4. The OECD AI Principles were first adopted in which year?
medium
A. 2015
B. 2017
C. 2019
D. 2021

Solution

  1. Step 1: Recall AI governance milestone

    The OECD AI Principles were adopted in 2019.
  2. Step 2: Note update

    They were updated in 2024 to reflect generative AI developments.
  3. Final Answer:

    2019 → Option C
  4. Quick Check:

    OECD AI Principles = 2019 ✅
Hint: AI global principles → 2019 OECD.
Common Mistakes: Confusing with UNESCO 2021 recommendation.
5. Which UN body adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in 2021?
medium
A. United Nations Security Council
B. UNESCO
C. World Economic Forum
D. International Telecommunication Union

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the framework

    The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence was adopted in 2021.
  2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

    The Security Council focuses on peace and security. WEF is not a UN body. ITU focuses on telecom standards.
  3. Final Answer:

    UNESCO → Option B
  4. Quick Check:

    UNESCO AI ethics = 2021 ✅
Hint: UNESCO → Global AI ethics 2021.
Common Mistakes: Confusing OECD and UNESCO frameworks.

Mock Test

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