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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
(Revision Draft No. 21 – 11/02/91)
- Preamble
- General Moral Imperatives
- Additional Professional Obligations
- Organizational Leadership Imperatives
- Compliance with the Code
Preamble: Commitment to professional conduct is expected of every member (voting members, associate members, and student members) of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Section 1 consists of fundamental ethical considerations; Section 2 includes additional considerations of professional conduct; statements in Section 3 pertain to individuals who have a leadership role; and Section 4 deals with compliance. Each principle intentionally was phrased as both a personal vow and as an ethical imperative. ACM prepares and maintains an additional document with guidelines for interpreting and following the Code.
1. General Moral Imperatives
As an ACM member I will…
1.1 Contribute to society and human well-being.
1.2 Avoid harm to others.
1.3 Be honest and trustworthy.
1.4 Be fair and take action not to discriminate.
1.5 Honor copyrights and patents.
1.6 Give proper credit for intellectual property.
1.7 Respect rights to limit access to computing and communication systems.
1.8 Respect the privacy of others.
1.9 Honor confidentiality.
2. Additional Professional Obligations
As an ACM computing professional I will…
2.1 Strive to achieve the highest quality in the processes and products of my work.
2.2 Acquire and maintain professional competence.
2.3 Know and respect existing laws pertaining to my professional work.
2.4 Encourage review by peers and all relevant groups.
2.5 Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer systems, their impacts, and possible risks.
2.6 Honor contracts, agreements, and acknowledged responsibilities.
2.7 Improve public understanding of computing and its consequences.
3. Organizational Leadership Imperatives
As an organizational leader, I will…
3.1 Articulate social responsibilities of members of the organizational unit and encourage full acceptance of these responsibilities.
3.2 Design and build information systems to enhance the quality of working life.
3.3 Articulate and support proper and authorized uses of organizational computer technology.
3.4 Ensure participation of users and other affected parties in system design, development, and implementation.
3.5 Support policies that protect the dignity of users and others affected by a computerized system.
3.6 Support opportunities for learning the principles and limitations of computer systems.
4. Compliance with the Code
As an ACM member, I will…
4.1 Uphold and promote the principles of this Code.
4.2 Take appropriate action leading to a remedy if I observe an apparent violation of the Code.
4.3 Understand that violation of this code is inconsistent with membership in the ACM.
Go to: General Moral Imperatives
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