Ethics runtime (E09) and re‑entry in SnapOS

The E09 ethics runtime is a core component of SnapOS. It checks whether semantic decisions comply with applicable norms and ethical guidelines. While other frameworks treat ethics as a downstream control, in SnapOS the normative check is deeply integrated into the audit cycle.

Ethics API endpoints

`GET /ethics/verify/:snapshot_id`

Returns the ethics score and a decision matrix for the snapshot. The response contains the ethics level (e.g. “low”, “moderate”, “high”) and a detailed matrix of applied rules.

{
  "snapshot_id": "snap-uuid",
  "ethics_level": "high",
  "rules": [
    { "code": "E09-1", "description": "Protects personal data", "fulfilled": true },
    { "code": "E09-2", "description": "Avoids algorithmic discrimination", "fulfilled": false }
  ],
  "compliance_level": "moderate",
  "trace_id": "eth-trace-38f"
}

`POST /reentry/check`

Determines whether a snapshot is re‑entry ready (can be reintegrated into the audit cycle). If the result is positive, the response returns the target zone and the suggested feedback cycle.

{
  "reentry_valid": true,
  "target_zone": "X4",
  "feedback_cycle": ["audit", "rework", "merge"]
}

Distinctive features and differentiation

Unlike other audit systems, SnapOS does not define the ethics check as an optional add‑on but as an integral component (W9). The ethics runtime is executed synchronously with every SnapScore calculation and stores the results in the audit trail. This enables later audits and revision analyses. The re‑entry mechanism (W10) ensures that only ethically and semantically consistent snapshots return to productive use.

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