Notes on the ACM Code of Ethics
How the Code Was Written - [Integrity] - Leadership

Integrity

The word "integrity" is absent from the Code itself. The idea nevertheless runs through the document, carried by honesty, transparency and the keeping of commitments.

1.3  Be honest and trustworthy.

"Honesty is an essential component of trustworthiness. A computing professional should be transparent and provide full disclosure of all pertinent system capabilities, limitations, and potential problems to the appropriate parties. ... Computing professionals should be honest about their qualifications, and about any limitations in their competence to complete a task. ... Furthermore, commitments should be honored."

Preamble

"The entire computing profession benefits when the ethical decision-making process is accountable to and transparent to all stakeholders. Open discussions about ethical issues promote this accountability and transparency."

2.3  Know and respect existing rules pertaining to professional work.

"Computing professionals must abide by these rules unless there is a compelling ethical justification to do otherwise. ... A computing professional should consider challenging the rule through existing channels before violating the rule."

Source: ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2018).

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Last update: November 5, 2026