The biggest names in tech, from Google to Netflix, invest millions in security bug bounty programs. They pay ethical hackers, also known as researchers, to find vulnerabilities, Netflix can pay upto $25,000 for a critical bug viewing it as a smart business move to prevent security vulnerabilities in their software, systems, or websites.
So why not for Accessibility bugs?
It’s a somewhat perfect analogy to security. The principle is identical, crowdsource the identification of critical flaws that the internal Production team might miss. Lack of proper keyboard navigation is a critical bug, just like a security vulnerability. The only difference is who is at risk.
- A bug bounty program provides a direct and immediate channel for feedback. Issues can be reported and triaged in real-time, allowing for rapid fixes and a continuous cycle of improvement.
- A bounty program almost gamifies accessibility bugs in a way. It creates this technical competitive environment that encourages technical experts to find and report the most critical issues, accelerating the discovery of flaws and raising the standard of Accessibility testing across the industry. It also creates this technical environment where Accessibility bugs are treated like the technical bugs they are.
- It aligns the financial incentives, Accessibility professionals, Designers and other Developers are being paid for their detailed labour and feedback, bugs are being fixed while the company benefits from the labour. It encourages others to learn about Accessibility and even try and find bugs as now there’s a method to get paid for this labour. Someone posting they were “paid $1,000 to fix a P3 Netflix Accessibility bug” might help change the culture.
- It’s proactive, not reactive. Many companies fix accessibility issues only after receiving a legal threat or public backlash. A bug bounty program would incentivise a proactive approach, encouraging companies to find and fix issues before they become a liability.
- Companies that publicly champion accessibility through a bounty program can build a reputation for inclusivity. This not only attracts a wider customer base but also helps recruit and retain talent who want to work for socially responsible organisations.
- A bug bounty program can allows companies to pay for verified bugs on an as-needed basis, tapping into a global network of talent without the overhead. An fixed allocated budget at to start.
- Accessibility advocates and testers often perform valuable, unpaid labour by reporting bugs and providing feedback. A bounty program would finally validate and compensate for this work, turning a moral obligation into a paid, professional pursuit.
- A public bug bounty program signals a genuine commitment to Accessibility. It makes a company’s efforts transparent, showing the community that their feedback is not only heard but valued and compensated.
- Beyond all business justifications, running a bug bounty program would also acknowledge the ethical duty companies have to ensure their products are usable and accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. By doing so, they demonstrate that they value the well-being of all their users.
Someone at a big tech company with the budget to launch an Accessibility bug bounty program might needs to see this post.
Want more insights? I’m Chris, a UX Developer with a focus in accessibility, available for hire. Reach out on LinkedIn