of Ethics Online Collection: None
The Individual’s
Right To Information Privacy
(Adopted by DPMA Executive Council January, 1976)
The Data Processing Management Association stands strongly in favor of every individual's right to information privacy.
DPMA will support legislation to protect individual privacy, from automated or manual invasion or misuse, when such legislation is proved necessary (and economically feasible) in specific areas of information.
With the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 now enacted into law, we urge legislators at the Federal and state levels to delay enactment of privacy legislation governing the private sector, until the Federal Privacy Protection Study Commission has announced its findings.
It is our belief that "omnibus" legislation, attempting to govern the private sector, would be prohibitively expensive, and unwieldy in its application. Therefore, legislation governing the private sector should be enacted only for specific needs as they become apparent.
We further believe that further information privacy legislation must be carefully scrutinized, prior to its enactment, in order to scientifically project its full impact regarding its cost/benefit ratio, potential disruption of established business practices, and possible adverse effects on consumer services.
The Data Processing Management Association herewith re-emphasizes its endorsement of the basic right to individual's information privacy, and calls upon its members, and all responsible practitioners of the information processing endeavor, to design and operate their systems in such a manner as to make future legislation unnecessary.
