[briandear]

A code of ethics is meaningless for “tech” (whatever that is.) Medicine and law have licensing. Violating professional ethics can result in a loss of licensing. In “tech” there isn’t such licensing, thus a code of ethics is just a platitude. There is nothing stopping you from writing your own code and following it.

As far as a code for all of tech, who would write such a thing? And how would it be enforced? And who would be obligated to follow it? Just people that write code? Or what about designers? And if designers have to follow the code, that would mean that they can be “kicked out” for non compliance, which means they have to be “allowed in.” So how does that work? Professional licensing for designers now too? A four-year degree along with a test on the Bauhaus and Human Interface Guidelines?

As far as licensing, that would make tech less fun. What would be the licensing requirements? Would it be like a coding interview with ridiculous whiteboard algorithm examples? Would you have to pass a test on front end frameworks? How about a test on Kubernetes? Would you have to have a degree in “tech?” Steve Wozniak wouldn’t have been eligible to work on Apple I. How about the Wright Brothers? They worked in a bike shop, how were they qualified to invent airplanes with engines? A proper authority ought to have shut them down promptly because clearly they weren’t qualified to be working on flying machines! The Bicycle Mechanics Code of Professional Ethics expressly prohibits working outside of the scope of your training and licensure right? Howard Hughes wasn’t a professional engineer, yet somehow he helped design the fastest airplane at the time.

You want ethics? Then act ethically. But the last thing we need is a gatekeeper organization deciding who is worthy or not to invent the future.