I ran into these Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics created by the Computer Ethics Institute while looking for something completely different. Isn’t that so often the case? I like them. I think they are useful guidelines that are worth thinking about and discussing. Ethics can be complicated though. Some complain that these rules are too simplistic and overly restrictive.

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF 

COMPUTER ETHICS

I & II: Harm & Interference

·        The first commandment of computer ethics is "thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people." It's generally accepted that hurting people in any way is wrong, and this first commandment reaffirms that this applies to harm inflicted using a computer.

The second commandment states "thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work." Work with a computer can be a delicate and time consuming endeavor, and disrupting that work is not only rude and an invasion of privacy, but can potentially cause damage or loss of data.

III & IV: Trespassing & Theft

·        The third commandment of computer ethics is "thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files." Personal privacy is important for everyone, and looking through someone's files uninvited, whether in person or over the Internet, is a violation of that privacy.

The fourth commandment reads "thou shalt not use a computer to steal." Just as stealing in the real world is a crime, using a computer as a means to steal money, data, copyrighted material and other information is not only disruptive and potentially damaging, it's often illegal.

V & VI: Lying & Software Theft

·        The fifth commandment of computer ethics states "thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness." A computer should never be used as an aid to medium for lying, perjury or fraud, regardless of the method or reason.

The sixth commandment says "thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid." No matter how much it may cost to obtain legally, pirating or copying software you haven't purchased for any reason is like stealing money from developers and the programmers who write the software.

VII & VIII: Resource Use & Intellectual Property

•        The seventh commandment of computer ethics states "thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation." Stealing someone's bandwidth, software or even hardware is wrong. Always have permission to use such resources, and if necessary, be willing to pay for them.

        The eighth commandment is "thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output." Plagiarism is a crime. Never take someone's work, be it artwork, music, video, writing or any other product of someone's effort, and claim it is your own. Always get permission, and give credit where it's due.

IX & X: Responsible Design & Consideration

·        The ninth commandment of computer ethics states "thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing." When designing software or a computer system, always consider the ways it can affect downstream consumers. Could your social networking site encourage "cyber-bullying?" Could your electronic voting system be manipulated by the unscrupulous? The consequences of our actions and creations can be more far-reaching than anticipated at design time.

The tenth and final commandment of computer ethics is "thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans." Use computers responsibly, to do positive and productive things for yourself and the people around you. Never use the computer in a way that might demean your fellow human beings, or cause others to do so.