Models for the social accountability of computing

This article examines the social dilemmas of computer use and strategies for ensuring the accountability of computing to the public. Improving the social accountability of computing means finding ways to organize groups that develop, manufacture, sell or use computer-based systems, and their markets, so that the broader public is well served. Six public policy strategies for social accountability of computing are commonly proposed: competitive market arrangements; administrative authority; professional control; regulatory commisions to administer legislative acts; judicial enforcement and review of legislative acts; and citizen action. Inspection shows that each model has problems in either its practical effectiveness or its appropriateness for computing.