An essential aim of computing professionals is to minimize negative consequences of computing, including threats to health, safety, personal security, and privacy.
This obligation includes promoting fundamental human rights and protecting each individual's right to autonomy. This principle, which concerns the quality of life of all people, affirms an obligation of computing professionals, both individually and collectively, to use their skills for the benefit of society, its members, and the environment surrounding them. 1.1 Contribute to society and to human well-being, acknowledging that all people are stakeholders in computing.
GENERAL ETHICAL PRINCIPLES.Ī computing professional should. Open discussions about ethical issues promote this accountability and transparency. The entire computing profession benefits when the ethical decision-making process is accountable to and transparent to all stakeholders. Questions related to these kinds of issues can best be answered by thoughtful consideration of the fundamental ethical principles, understanding that the public good is the paramount consideration. When thinking through a particular issue, a computing professional may find that multiple principles should be taken into account, and that different principles will have different relevance to the issue.
The Code is not an algorithm for solving ethical problems rather it serves as a basis for ethical decision-making. The Code as a whole is concerned with how fundamental ethical principles apply to a computing professional's conduct. Principles involving compliance with the Code are given in Section 4. Commitment to ethical conduct is required of every ACM member, ACM SIG member, ACM award recipient, and ACM SIG award recipient. Commitment to ethical conduct is required of every ACM member, and principles involving compliance with the Code are given in Section 4. Section 3 guides individuals who have a leadership role, whether in the workplace or in a volunteer professional capacity. Section 2 addresses additional, more specific considerations of professional responsibility.
Section 1 outlines fundamental ethical principles that form the basis for the remainder of the Code. Each principle is supplemented by guidelines, which provide explanations to assist computing professionals in understanding and applying the principle. The Code includes principles formulated as statements of responsibility, based on the understanding that the public good is always the primary consideration. Additionally, the Code serves as a basis for remediation when violations occur. The Code is designed to inspire and guide the ethical conduct of all computing professionals, including current and aspiring practitioners, instructors, students, influencers, and anyone who uses computing technology in an impactful way. The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct ("the Code") expresses the conscience of the profession. To act responsibly, they should reflect upon the wider impacts of their work, consistently supporting the public good. Computing professionals' actions change the world.