Code of Conduct

This document discusses the code of conduct for computing professionals and explores the ethical implications of a case study. It provides guidelines for ethical decision-making and offers solutions to resolve ethical dilemmas.

Running Head: Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
Maureen’s Case Study
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Code of Conduct
Table of Contents
ACM Code of ethics and Professional Conduct......................................................................2
ACS Codes............................................................................................................................ 2
Thomas White Methodology...................................................................................................2
Bibliography........................................................................................................................... 4
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Code of Conduct
ACM Code of ethics and Professional Conduct
The Code is planned to move and guide the ethical lead of all figuring specialists, including
present and longing experts, educators and any person who uses registering development in
a critical manner. Besides, the Code completes in as an explanation behind remediation
when encroachment happens. The Code joins gauges figured as verbalizations of
commitment, in light of the understanding that the open incredible is reliably the fundamental
idea (Anon., 2019). Each standard is upgraded by principles, which offer explanations to
help figuring specialists in cognizance and applying the guidelines. The Code with everything
taken into account is stressed over how key good benchmarks apply to an enrolling capable
direct. The Code is not a figuring for dealing with good issues; rather it fills in as an
explanation behind good fundamental initiative. At the point when completely thinking about
a particular issue, a figuring capable may find that various models should be considered, and
that different gauges will have unmistakable noteworthiness to the issue. Questions related
to these sorts of issues can best be answered by sharp idea of the basic good benchmarks,
understanding that the open extraordinary is the imperative idea. The totally enlisting calling
benefits when the ethical fundamental initiative strategy is mindful to and clear to all
accomplices. Open trades about good issues advance this obligation and
straightforwardness (Association for Computing Machinery, 2018).
In this case study, the act of Maureen is highly irresponsible and it is infringement of various
principles of Code of Ethics. The pen drive which she forgets at home contains highly
sensitive information about the clients and if they are used by anyone else then it can lead to
infringement of privacy and confidentiality. Principle 1.7 of Code of Ethics says that it is the
duty of professionals that they should keep confidential information related to data of clients,
financial information, research data, trade secret and patent applications. It is ethical duty of
the computing professionals that they should protect the confidentiality of the clients except
in the cases in which it is one of the evidence of violation of law. Only the legal and
appropriate authorities have right to hear about the information (Anon., 1992). The pen drive
can be used by any of the relative of Maureen and they can misuse it.
ACS Codes
Part 1.2.1 of the code depicts on the primacy of public interest and describes that the public
interest will be given preference to all other interests like private, personal and sectional. If
there is issue arising out of it then it should be solved in favour of public interest. Interest of
public should be safeguarded and must make sure that they are not coming in conflict with
duty owned to the public. Sub clause d focuses that the one person’s profession can affect
other professions as well. Sub clause g says that the professional will safeguard the
confidentiality and privacy of data of others (Australian Computer Society, 2014).
Part 1.2.2 says about enhancement of quality of life and sub clause (a) of this says that
professionals should recognise their role and know that information and communication
technology can help to increase the quality of life of individuals specially those people who
are not having advantage or having disabilities (Australian Computer Society, 2014).
Part 1.2.4 of the code says about the competency of the professional. It is advised that the
professional should only accept those tasks that they think they can do and should seek help
from the experts where it is required (The Uiversity of Western Australia, 2016).
Thomas White Methodology
Thomas White has given the methodology to solve the ethical dilemma. Maureen should
follow the steps given by Thomas White (White, 2019). She already had done the mistake
and now the first thing she should do is to analyse the consequences of her act. She should
have to take both negative and positive consequences of her negligent act. The information
in her pen drive is very sensitive. There are criminal histories of the clients and if these go in
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Code of Conduct
wrong hands then it will be breach of duty of care and could have serious complications. The
next step is to analyse the actions. Here Maureen should not think about the consequences
but rather actions. She should analyse that whether her actions are against the moral
principles like equality, honesty, fairness, respecting others’ dignity and rights. Her actions
has crossed the lines because if any confidential information leaks out about the client and
their criminal history then she could lose the job and the reputation of the company will be
effected. The next and final step is to take decision on basis of both the analysis and she
should go and talk to the senior manager of the company who allotted the task to her and try
to explain that she did not do intentionally. Government governs the company she is working
in and if Government Company cannot protect the confidential information of the people then
people will start losing faith in them.
Bibliography
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Code of Conduct
Anon., 1992. ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. [Online] Available at:
https://ethics.acm.org/code-of-ethics/ [Accessed 5 June 2019].
Anon., 2019. ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. [Online] Available at:
https://www.acm.org/code-of-ethics [Accessed 5 June 2019].
Association for Computing Machinery, 2018. ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
[Online] Available at: https://www.acm.org/binaries/content/assets/about/acm-code-of-ethics-
booklet.pdf [Accessed 5 June 2019].
Australian Computer Society, 2014. 1.2.1. The Primacy of the Public Interest. [Online]
Available at: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/rules-and-regulations/Code-of-
Professional-Conduct_v2.1.pdf [Accessed 5 June 2019].
Australian Computer Society, 2014. ACS Code of Professional Conduct Case Studies.
[Online] Available at:
https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/elected-members/pab/EthicsCommittee/ACS
%20Code%20of%20Professional%20Conduct%20Case%20Studies.pdf [Accessed 5 June
2019].
The Uiversity of Western Australia, 2016. Ethical Issues for Computing Professionals.
[Online] Available at: http://www.alex-reid.com/Ethics/Computer-Ethics-CITS3200-2H16-
copyrightOK.pdf [Accessed 5 June 2019].
White, T., 2019. Resolving an Ethical Dilemma. [Online] Available at:
http://bourbon.usc.edu/engr102-f09/ethics.pdf [Accessed 5 June 2019].
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