Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics



Created by the Computer Ethics Institute

(Please Cite the Computer Ethics Institute if you quote us)



1. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Harm Other People.



2. Thou Shalt Not Interfere With Other People’s Computer Work.



3. Thou Shalt Not Snoop Around In Other People’s Computer Files.



4. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Steal.



5. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Bear False Witness.



6. Thou Shalt Not Copy Or Use Proprietary Software For Which You have Not Paid.



7. Thou Shalt Not Use Other People’s Computer Resources Without Authorization Or Proper Compensation.



8. Thou Shalt Not Appropriate Other People’s Intellectual Output.



9. Thou Shalt Think About The Social Consequences Of The Program You Are Writing Or The System You Are Designing.



10. Thou Shalt Always Use A Computer In Ways That Insure Consideration And Respect For Your Fellow Humans.



See the Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics in PDF



The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics were first presented in Dr. Ramon C. Barquin's paper, "In Pursuit of a 'Ten Commandments' for Computer Ethics."

