ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
1992

FOUR IMPERATIVES:

• GENERAL MORAL IMPERATIVES
• MORE SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP IMPERATIVES
• COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE

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 property rights including copyrights and patents.
1.6 Give proper credit for intellectual property.
1.7 Respect the privacy of others.
1.8 Honor confidentiality.

MORE SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

As an ACM computing professional I will ...
2.1 Strive to achieve the highest quality, effectiveness and dignity in both the process and products of professional work.
2.2 Acquire and maintain professional competence.
2.3 Know and respect existing laws pertaining to professional work.
2.4 Accept and provide appropriate professional review.
2.5 Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer systems and their impacts including analysis of possible risks.
2.6 Honor contracts, agreements, and assigned responsibilities.
2.7 Improve public understanding of computing and its consequences.
2.8 Access computing and Communication resources only when authorized to do so.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP IMPERATIVES

As an ACM member and an organizational leader, I will ...
3.1 Articulate social responsibilities of members of an organizational unit and encourage full acceptance of those responsibilities.
3.2 Manage personnel and resources to design and build information systems that enhance the quality of working life.
3.3 Acknowledge and support proper and authorized uses of an organization's computing and communications resources.
3.4 Ensure that users and those who will be affected by a system have their needs clearly articulated during the assessment and design of requirements; later the system must be validated to meet requirements.
3.5 Articulate and support policies that protect the dignity of users and others affected by a computing system.
3.6 Create opportunities for members of the organization to learn the principles and limitations of computer systems.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE

As an ACM member, I will ....
4.1 Uphold and promote the principles of this Code.
4.2 Treat violations of this code as inconsistent with membership in the ACM.

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