DOI: 10.1145/1461928.1461929
Eugene H. Spafford

usaCm’s Policy Role

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

5