Should computer-science students learn about privacy as well as programming?
Yes. In addition to programming, computer-science students should learn the foundations of privacy protection. Systems that handle personal information require an understanding of law and ethics, how data is collected and used, and concepts such as access control; otherwise, a system may work technically while still harming users. Considering privacy from the design stage is useful for future development and research.
Key points
- Privacy involves system design and implementation as well as law and ethics.
- Students need a foundation for thinking about how data is collected, stored, shared, and deleted.
- Combining privacy knowledge with programming supports development that considers impacts on users.
Things to check
- The content and depth vary by university, faculty, course, and academic year, so the specific curriculum and syllabus should be checked in official information.