The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct serves as a comprehensive guide for computing professionals, outlining ethical standards and responsibilities to ensure integrity and trustworthiness in the field. The code is structured into four main sections:
1. Preamble
- Introduces the purpose and scope of the code, emphasizing the commitment to ethical conduct and the public good.
2. General Ethical Principles
- 2.1 Contribute to society and to human well-being, acknowledging that all people are stakeholders in computing.
- 2.2 Avoid harm.
- 2.3 Be honest and trustworthy.
- 2.4 Be fair and take action not to discriminate.
- 2.5 Respect the work required to produce new ideas, inventions, creative works, and computing artifacts.
- 2.6 Respect privacy.
- 2.7 Honor confidentiality.
3. Professional Responsibilities
- 3.1 Strive to achieve high quality in both the processes and products of professional work.
- 3.2 Maintain high standards of professional competence, conduct, and ethical practice.
- 3.3 Know and respect existing rules pertaining to professional work.
- 3.4 Accept and provide appropriate professional review.
- 3.5 Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer systems and their impacts, including analysis of possible risks.
- 3.6 Perform work only in areas of competence.
- 3.7 Foster public awareness and understanding of computing, related technologies, and their consequences.
- 3.8 Access computing and communication resources only when authorized or when compelled by the public good.
- 3.9 Design and implement systems that are robustly and usably secure.
4. Professional Leadership Principles
- 4.1 Ensure that the public good is the central concern during all professional computing work.
- 4.2 Articulate, encourage acceptance of, and evaluate fulfillment of social responsibilities by members of the organization or group.
- 4.3 Manage personnel and resources to enhance the quality of working life.
- 4.4 Articulate, apply, and support policies and processes that reflect the principles of the Code.
- 4.5 Create opportunities for members of the organization or group to grow as professionals.
- 4.6 Use care when modifying or retiring systems.
- 4.7 Recognize and take special care of systems that become integrated into the infrastructure of society.
5. Compliance with the Code
- 5.1 Uphold, promote, and respect the principles of the Code.
- 5.2 Treat violations of the Code as inconsistent with membership in the ACM.