The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

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The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

• A summary by Sean Martinson
• of A project by the Brookings Institution.

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The 10 Commandments

• The Brookings Institution and the Computer Ethics
  Institute have compiled a list of 10
  Commandments in regards to the ethical uses of
  technology. What follows is an examination of
  each commandment.

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The 1st Commandment

• Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other
  people.
• In the age of information and/or the digital age,
  more and more personal information is available
  online. From financial to personal, information
  online is the property of the individual and
  entities that they share it with and no others.

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The 2nd Commandment

• Thou shalt not interfere with other people's
  computer work.
• With greater and higher speed access the user is
  to benefit and incorporate these advances in
  technology for the betterment of their work and
  for the collaboration with others.

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The 3rd Commandment

• Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's
  computer files.
• Again with the increase in speed and access it is
  left to the user to continue their use in an
  ethical manner.

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The 4th Commandment

• Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
• With other commandments and with the advancement
  of technologies it is to the user to utilize
  equipment in a manner in which benefits the Web
  2.0 community.

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The 5th Commandment

• Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false
  witness.
• Computers, cell phones, chat rooms, instant
  messenging, blogs, wikis. Daily there are
  multiple means and options to post information
  for the global community to see. It is the
  responsibility of the user to utilize these
  powerful tools to benefit this global community.

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The 6th Commandment

• Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software
  for which you have not paid.
• For those looking for free software and
  applications, Web 2.0 applications provide users
  with free and open applications which users
  can utilize in an ethical manner and at no cost.

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The 7th Commandment

• Thou shalt not use other people's computer
  resources without authorization or proper
  compensation.
• With the drop of costs and the increase in
  capabilities computer access in more common than
  ever. Even with an atmosphere of openness users
  must remember to simply ask permission when using
  equipment.

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The 8th Commandment

• Thou shalt not appropriate other people's
  intellectual output.
• The Creative Commons community allows users and
  creators of information quick and easy use in
  identifying the usability of their work.
• www.creativecommons.org

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The 9th Commandment

• Thou shalt think about the social consequences of
  the program you are writing or the system you are
  designing.
• As users and programmers collaborate from around
  the world it is with the intentions of betterment
  of the world that they continue their work.
• www.opensource.org

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The 10th Commandment

• Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that
  ensure consideration and respect for your fellow
  humans.
• Computers are powerful tools that can and will be
  used to share knowledge with the global
  community. It is left to the user to consider
  their purpose.

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The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

• Written by the Computer Ethics Institute
• Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other
  people.
• Thou shalt not interfere with other people's
  computer work.
• Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's
  computer files.
• Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
• Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false
  witness.
• Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software
  for which you have not paid.
• Thou shalt not use other people's computer
  resources without authorization or proper
  compensation.
• Thou shalt not appropriate other people's
  intellectual output.
• Thou shalt think about the social consequences of
  the program you are writing or the system you are
  designing.
• Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that
  ensure consideration and respect for your fellow
  humans.