As ACM members we understand that
computing technologies enable and support
much of modern society. Furthermore,
we envision computing advances ef-
fecting positive transformations in gov-
ernment, business, and society. Those
changes may conflict with traditions and
policies developed in other times, how-
ever. Laws and regulations significantly
impact our efforts in computing, and
policymakers often do not understand
the underlying technology. ACM mem-
bers have a professional duty to ensure
that the public comprehends and ben-
efits from advances in computing. Thus,
ACM clearly must have a role in educat-
ing policymakers and shaping policy.
The ACM U.S. Public Policy Com-
mittee (USACM) is chartered to address
public policy issues in the U.S. in a non-
partisan, proactive manner. In conjunc-
tion with the ACM’s Washington office,
USACM members track legislative and
regulatory issues at the federal level
(and sometimes at the state level). Mem-
bership represents a cross section of the
ACM, including representatives from
the SIG Board and several ACM Com-
mittees. USACM regularly produces
briefs, educational materials, and Con-
gressional testimony on key computing
issues. Members also regularly engage
key personnel in government agencies
and advocacy organizations. Our activi-
ties are directed to ensure that policy-
makers understand both the capabili-
ties and limitations of computing.
USACM’s priorities for providing in-
formation will continue to be important
under the new administration:
Privacy. Government is in an extraor-
dinary position to compile information
about people and organizations for le-
gitimate reasons: law enforcement, tax
collection, national security, census col-
lection, among others. The private sec-
tor is also accumulating ever-increasing
amounts of personal information. Un-
fortunately, “leaks” and information
misuse imperil privacy and enable
crime, often because of insufficient at-
tention is devoted to privacy during sys-
tem design and operation.
Currently, there are two looming pri-
vacy concerns: implementation of the
REAL-ID Act, a de facto national ID pro-
gram using state driver’s licenses; and
using databases with sensitive, person-
al information to verify employment eli-
gibility (E-Verify). USACM will continue
to advise legislators how to mitigate the
concerns with these initiatives.
Reliability and Security. Appropriate
computing technology can render gov-
ernment activities more effective and
economical. Unfortunately, technology
can suffer failures—whether acciden-
tal or malicious—with impacts that are
not always understood by policymakers.
Given proposed reforms to health care,
financial systems, and cyber security im-
provements, USACM will undoubtedly
need to provide continued suggestions
about safeguards and protections.
Accuracy. Many people do not un-
derstand computing’s limitations. In
response, USACM has provided guid-
ance on issues such as biometrics and
data-matching error rates. We continue
to advise policymakers about how to use
computing technologies so as to avoid
adverse consequences.
Voting. Using computers in election
systems without adequate protection
against fraud and error is a long-stand-
ing concern for USACM. Several voting
bills have stalled in Congress in recent
years, but the issue continues to be ac-
tive at both state and federal levels. We
will continue to pursue appropriate re-
forms and safeguards.
Intellectual Property (IP). ACM is a
major publisher and the ACM trade-
mark is an important asset. Many ACM
members produce intellectual property.
USACM respects the legal framework
that allows property owners and creators
to have some control over how their IP is
used. However, we have concerns about
regulations (for example, the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act) and tech-
nologies that impact scholarship, fair
use, reverse analysis for accessibility
and security, and other reasonable uses
of IP. USACM continues to champion an
equitable IP regime.
Accessibility. USACM advocates for
computing access that is fair and inclu-
sive for everyone, including people with
disabilities. Our recent public statement
on this topic involved contributions
by SIGACCESS, SIGCHI, and SIGWEB.
USACM is promoting this position for
both existing and future systems.
In addition to these projects, USACM
also works closely with the Computing
Research Association on diversity and
science funding policy. K– 12 education
policy is addressed by our peer, the ACM
Education Policy Committee.
These issues all relate to computing
technology in important ways, but none
can be solved with technology alone.
Instead, workable solutions require
people who understand the technology,
and who invest the effort to understand
and participate in the policy environ-
ment. USACM has addressed this chal-
lenge for 15 years, and the set of issues
to address keeps growing. That’s good,
because it reflects the growing impor-
tance of computing and the ACM!
For more information about USACM,
visit http://www.acm.org/usacm/.
Eugene H. Spafford is a professor of cs at Purdue University and executive director of cerias. he is also chair of acM’s U.s. Public Policy committee.
feBRuaRY 2009 | vol. 52 | No. 2 | CommunICatIons of the aCm
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