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Bharatpedia:CheckUser: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "{{Redirect|BP:CHECK|the WikiProject|Bharatpedia:WikiProject Check Bharatpedia}} {{For|the encyclopedic article about the CheckUser tool|CheckUser}} <noinclude>{{short description|Procedural policy of Bharatpedia}}{{Pp-semi-indef}}{{Pp-move-indef}}</noinclude> {{Warning|To '''contact a checkuser about sensitive matters''', see Contacting a checkuser. Otherwise, to open an investigation, go to Bharatpedia:Sockpuppet investigations.}} {{proce...") |
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Checkusers are able to view a list of all IP addresses used by a user account to edit the English Bharatpedia, a list of all edits made ''by'' or ''from'' an IP address or range (which includes edits by accounts while on the IP address or range), or a list of all user accounts that have used an IP address or range. They may also view a log of CheckUser actions at [[Special:CheckUserLog]]. | Checkusers are able to view a list of all IP addresses used by a user account to edit the English Bharatpedia, a list of all edits made ''by'' or ''from'' an IP address or range (which includes edits by accounts while on the IP address or range), or a list of all user accounts that have used an IP address or range. They may also view a log of CheckUser actions at [[Special:CheckUserLog]]. | ||
CheckUser data is never accessed or released except in accordance with the [[ | CheckUser data is never accessed or released except in accordance with the [[Bharatmedia Foundation]]'s (WMF) [[wmf:Privacy policy|privacy policy]] and the additional restrictions placed by this policy. After completing an investigation with the CheckUser tool, most checkusers release their findings in generalised form (such as with a statement that "account A is, is not, or may be the same as accounts B or C"); on the English Bharatpedia, the release of actual private data (like "account D is connecting through IP address 0.1.2.3") is exceptionally rare. Conclusions derived from CheckUser data have limited usefulness, and a negative finding by a checkuser [[Bharatpedia:The duck test|rarely precludes]] obvious sockpuppetry. | ||
On the English Bharatpedia, CheckUser access is entrusted to [[Special:ListUsers/checkuser|a restricted number of trusted users]] who can execute CheckUser inquiries at their own discretion. The permission is granted by Bharatpedia's [[Bharatpedia:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]], after community consultation and vetting of the editor by the committee's members and the [[BP:FUNCT|functionary team]]. While there is no formal requirement that checkusers also be administrators, the Arbitration Committee has traditionally restricted applications to users who are currently administrators. Checkusers must be 18 years of age or older and have [[Bharatpedia:Access to nonpublic information|signed the | On the English Bharatpedia, CheckUser access is entrusted to [[Special:ListUsers/checkuser|a restricted number of trusted users]] who can execute CheckUser inquiries at their own discretion. The permission is granted by Bharatpedia's [[Bharatpedia:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]], after community consultation and vetting of the editor by the committee's members and the [[BP:FUNCT|functionary team]]. While there is no formal requirement that checkusers also be administrators, the Arbitration Committee has traditionally restricted applications to users who are currently administrators. Checkusers must be 18 years of age or older and have [[Bharatpedia:Access to nonpublic information|signed the Bharatmedia Foundation's confidentiality agreement for nonpublic information]] before being appointed. The use of the CheckUser tool on the English Bharatpedia is monitored and controlled by the Arbitration Committee, and checkusers may have their permissions revoked by the Arbitration Committee for misuse or abuse of the tool. | ||
This policy supplements the [[m:CheckUser|global checkuser policy]] and applies only to the English Bharatpedia. | This policy supplements the [[m:CheckUser|global checkuser policy]] and applies only to the English Bharatpedia. | ||
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{{shortcut|BP:CHECKME}} | {{shortcut|BP:CHECKME}} | ||
On some | On some Bharatmedia projects, an editor's IP addresses may be checked upon their request, typically to prove innocence against a sockpuppet allegation. Such checks are not allowed on the English Bharatpedia and such requests will not be granted. | ||
=== Notifying the account that is checked === | === Notifying the account that is checked === | ||
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{{main|m:Privacy policy}} | {{main|m:Privacy policy}} | ||
The CheckUser feature facilitates access to non-public information. The | The CheckUser feature facilitates access to non-public information. The Bharatmedia Foundation takes the privacy of its users extremely seriously, and there may at times be tension between protecting Bharatpedia from damage and disruption, and protecting the privacy of users (even disruptive ones). Checkusers must perpetually weigh these opposing concerns. In order to reach the optimal result, checkusers on the English Bharatpedia are required to adhere to the following conventions and practices: | ||
# Checkusers are given discretion to check an account, but must always do so for legitimate purposes. Broadly, checks must be made only in order to prevent or reduce potential or actual disruption, or to investigate credible, legitimate concerns of bad faith editing. | # Checkusers are given discretion to check an account, but must always do so for legitimate purposes. Broadly, checks must be made only in order to prevent or reduce potential or actual disruption, or to investigate credible, legitimate concerns of bad faith editing. | ||
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#:* With the permission of the affected user; | #:* With the permission of the affected user; | ||
#:* Where the user has been vandalising articles or persistently behaving in a disruptive way, data may be released to non-checkusers to allow the making of IP blocks or rangeblocks, or to assist in the formulation of a complaint to relevant Internet Service Providers or network operators; and | #:* Where the user has been vandalising articles or persistently behaving in a disruptive way, data may be released to non-checkusers to allow the making of IP blocks or rangeblocks, or to assist in the formulation of a complaint to relevant Internet Service Providers or network operators; and | ||
#:* Where it could reasonably be thought necessary to protect the rights, property or safety of the | #:* Where it could reasonably be thought necessary to protect the rights, property or safety of the Bharatmedia Foundation, its users or the public. | ||
These conventions arise out of practice that has emerged in the years since the checkuser tool was created, and in some cases out of rulings or "statements of best practice" by the [[BP:AUSC|Audit Subcommittee]] (now disbanded) and the Arbitration Committee. | These conventions arise out of practice that has emerged in the years since the checkuser tool was created, and in some cases out of rulings or "statements of best practice" by the [[BP:AUSC|Audit Subcommittee]] (now disbanded) and the Arbitration Committee. | ||
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=== IP information retention === | === IP information retention === | ||
Information about users (like their IP address) is retained for a limited period on | Information about users (like their IP address) is retained for a limited period on Bharatmedia Foundation sites. Data retention is limited in this way because incidents or actions that are not current rarely require investigation.<!-- BP:BEANS - The actual period of time should not be specified here. --> | ||
=== Guidance given to checkusers === | === Guidance given to checkusers === | ||
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* If you're in any doubt, give no detail – and "answer like a [[Magic 8-Ball]]"! | * If you're in any doubt, give no detail – and "answer like a [[Magic 8-Ball]]"! | ||
On the English Bharatpedia, checkusers asked to run a check must have clear evidence that a check is appropriate and necessary. The onus is on an individual checkuser to explain, if challenged, why a check was run. The CheckUser log is regularly examined by arbitrators. All actions associated with the CheckUser tool, especially public or off-wiki actions, are subject to public view and can result in a complaint being filed with the Arbitration Committee, the [[meta:Ombuds commission| | On the English Bharatpedia, checkusers asked to run a check must have clear evidence that a check is appropriate and necessary. The onus is on an individual checkuser to explain, if challenged, why a check was run. The CheckUser log is regularly examined by arbitrators. All actions associated with the CheckUser tool, especially public or off-wiki actions, are subject to public view and can result in a complaint being filed with the Arbitration Committee, the [[meta:Ombuds commission|Bharatmedia Foundation Ombuds Commission]], or both. Checkusers who run checks based on an unsubstantiated accusation may be cautioned or subject to sanctions, up to and including the revocation of their permissions; for a previous example of this, see [[Bharatpedia:Arbitration Committee/Noticeboard/Archive 5#Raul654|this 2009 investigation]] by the Audit Subcommittee. | ||
=== <span id=".22Fishing.22"></span>Fishing === | === <span id=".22Fishing.22"></span>Fishing === | ||
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{{main|Bharatpedia:Functionaries|Bharatpedia:Sockpuppet investigations}} | {{main|Bharatpedia:Functionaries|Bharatpedia:Sockpuppet investigations}} | ||
Checkusers are seasoned, experienced users, who are thoroughly vetted and highly trusted to handle sensitive and private matters, as well as other user issues. Routine [[BP:SOCK|sockpuppet]] and editing issues requiring checkuser review are handled at [[Bharatpedia:Sockpuppet investigations]]. In keeping with [[BP:NOTBUREAUCRACY]], checkusers are authorized to receive contact by other means, like on their user talk pages, by email, on IRC or a mailing list, and so on. If an incident is of a private or sensitive nature, you should never use public means of contact. If an incident is of an urgent nature, you should contact a checkuser you know to be online, or contact multiple active CheckUsers. If an incident is an emergency, you should contact the | Checkusers are seasoned, experienced users, who are thoroughly vetted and highly trusted to handle sensitive and private matters, as well as other user issues. Routine [[BP:SOCK|sockpuppet]] and editing issues requiring checkuser review are handled at [[Bharatpedia:Sockpuppet investigations]]. In keeping with [[BP:NOTBUREAUCRACY]], checkusers are authorized to receive contact by other means, like on their user talk pages, by email, on IRC or a mailing list, and so on. If an incident is of a private or sensitive nature, you should never use public means of contact. If an incident is of an urgent nature, you should contact a checkuser you know to be online, or contact multiple active CheckUsers. If an incident is an emergency, you should contact the Bharatmedia Foundation. | ||
If you require an editor with checkuser access, you may contact: | If you require an editor with checkuser access, you may contact: | ||
#'''An individual checkuser''' who will either advise, deal with the matter, or (especially if asked) forward it on to other checkusers for wider discussion. [{{Fullurl:Special:ActiveUsers|groups=checkuser&wpFormIdentifier=specialactiveusers}} A list of recently active checkusers] is available. | #'''An individual checkuser''' who will either advise, deal with the matter, or (especially if asked) forward it on to other checkusers for wider discussion. [{{Fullurl:Special:ActiveUsers|groups=checkuser&wpFormIdentifier=specialactiveusers}} A list of recently active checkusers] is available. | ||
#'''The English Bharatpedia checkuser team''', which can be suitable if you need other checkusers to be aware or you do not know any checkusers personally to judge which individual to contact. You may do so by emailing the English Bharatpedia checkuser [[BP:VRT|VRT]] queue at {{nospam|checkuser-en-wp|Bharatpedia.org}}. Not all checkusers are subscribed to this list. If it is sensitive beyond that, then it may instead be sent to the [[BP:AC|Arbitration Committee mailing list]] or any arbitrator. | #'''The English Bharatpedia checkuser team''', which can be suitable if you need other checkusers to be aware or you do not know any checkusers personally to judge which individual to contact. You may do so by emailing the English Bharatpedia checkuser [[BP:VRT|VRT]] queue at {{nospam|checkuser-en-wp|Bharatpedia.org}}. Not all checkusers are subscribed to this list. If it is sensitive beyond that, then it may instead be sent to the [[BP:AC|Arbitration Committee mailing list]] or any arbitrator. | ||
#'''The interwiki checkuser team''', which co-ordinates between checkusers on all WMF projects (and stewards, for small wikis with no local checkusers) in the checkuser-l mailing list. The inter-project team is ideal for matters concerning prolific vandals or sock users, privacy-related incidents or harassment, and other global matters of interest beyond English Bharatpedia. The | #'''The interwiki checkuser team''', which co-ordinates between checkusers on all WMF projects (and stewards, for small wikis with no local checkusers) in the checkuser-l mailing list. The inter-project team is ideal for matters concerning prolific vandals or sock users, privacy-related incidents or harassment, and other global matters of interest beyond English Bharatpedia. The Bharatmedia-wide checkuser mailing list does not receive mail from non-subscribers, so you will need to contact a checkuser by other means (like IRC). | ||
== CheckUser operation == | == CheckUser operation == | ||
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* CheckUser is not magic wiki [[wikt:pixie dust|pixie dust]]. Almost all queries about IPs will be because two editors were behaving the same way or an editor was behaving in a way that suggests disruption. An editing pattern match is the important thing; the IP match is really just extra evidence (or not). | * CheckUser is not magic wiki [[wikt:pixie dust|pixie dust]]. Almost all queries about IPs will be because two editors were behaving the same way or an editor was behaving in a way that suggests disruption. An editing pattern match is the important thing; the IP match is really just extra evidence (or not). | ||
* Most dialup and many DSL and cable IP addresses are dynamic, meaning they might change every session, every day, every week, every few months, or hardly ever. Unless the access times are immediately before and after each other, be cautious in declaring a match based on IP address alone. Experienced check users will learn to recognise if an ISP changes frequently or occasionally. Proxy IP addresses might not be a match, depending on the size of the organisation running the proxy (per whois output). If it's an ISP proxy, it is not so likely to indicate a match. (Note – some users, particularly those involved in technical matters, can help identify whether an IP is likely to be a proxy, or is likely to be static, fast, or slow changing.) | * Most dialup and many DSL and cable IP addresses are dynamic, meaning they might change every session, every day, every week, every few months, or hardly ever. Unless the access times are immediately before and after each other, be cautious in declaring a match based on IP address alone. Experienced check users will learn to recognise if an ISP changes frequently or occasionally. Proxy IP addresses might not be a match, depending on the size of the organisation running the proxy (per whois output). If it's an ISP proxy, it is not so likely to indicate a match. (Note – some users, particularly those involved in technical matters, can help identify whether an IP is likely to be a proxy, or is likely to be static, fast, or slow changing.) | ||
* There is both a checkuser mailing list ({{NonSpamEmail|checkuser-l|lists.wikimedia.org}}), and a checkuser [[BP:IRC|irc]] channel (<code>[[irc:wikimedia-checkuser|#wikimedia-checkuser]]</code>), providing means to consult and get advice on checks and their interpretation, especially in the case of more complex vandalism. Both are used by checkusers on all | * There is both a checkuser mailing list ({{NonSpamEmail|checkuser-l|lists.wikimedia.org}}), and a checkuser [[BP:IRC|irc]] channel (<code>[[irc:wikimedia-checkuser|#wikimedia-checkuser]]</code>), providing means to consult and get advice on checks and their interpretation, especially in the case of more complex vandalism. Both are used by checkusers on all Bharatmedia Foundation projects; they are not just for the [[English Bharatpedia]]. Access to the IRC channel is by invitation only and the checkuser mailing list does not accept correspondence from non-members – users seeking assistance of a local checkuser should see the {{slink||Contacting a checkuser}} above. Checkusers also have access to a private wiki where they can share data with other members of the global checkuser team. It can also be used to store historical CheckUser data, typically in cases of long-term or complex sockpuppetry. | ||
** Checkusers also have access to the channel <code>[[irc:wikimedia-privacy|# | ** Checkusers also have access to the channel <code>[[irc:wikimedia-privacy|#bharatmedia-privacy]]</code>, as do [[BP:OS|oversighters]]. | ||
* Checkusers who are executing a CheckUser query should remember that anonymity tools can spoof headers, including the useragent, which may make it appear that a good-faith editor with [[BP:IPBE|IPBE]] is actually a sock of a disruptive editor. | * Checkusers who are executing a CheckUser query should remember that anonymity tools can spoof headers, including the useragent, which may make it appear that a good-faith editor with [[BP:IPBE|IPBE]] is actually a sock of a disruptive editor. | ||
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{{Main article|m:CheckUser policy#Removal of access}} | {{Main article|m:CheckUser policy#Removal of access}} | ||
The | The Bharatmedia Foundation policy on revocation of CheckUser access states in part that: | ||
{{Quotation|Any user account with CheckUser status that is inactive for more than one year will have their CheckUser access removed.<p>In case of abusive use of the tool, the Steward or the editor with the CheckUser privilege will immediately have their access removed. This will in particular happen if checks are done routinely on editors without a serious motive to do so (links and proofs of bad behavior should be provided).<p>Suspicion of abuses of CheckUser should be discussed by each local wiki. On wikis with an approved ArbCom, the ArbCom can decide on the removal of access [...]<p>Complaints of infringement of CheckUser, Access to Nonpublic Information Policy or Privacy Policy breaches are handled by the [[:m:Ombuds commission|Ombuds commission]] for all | {{Quotation|Any user account with CheckUser status that is inactive for more than one year will have their CheckUser access removed.<p>In case of abusive use of the tool, the Steward or the editor with the CheckUser privilege will immediately have their access removed. This will in particular happen if checks are done routinely on editors without a serious motive to do so (links and proofs of bad behavior should be provided).<p>Suspicion of abuses of CheckUser should be discussed by each local wiki. On wikis with an approved ArbCom, the ArbCom can decide on the removal of access [...]<p>Complaints of infringement of CheckUser, Access to Nonpublic Information Policy or Privacy Policy breaches are handled by the [[:m:Ombuds commission|Ombuds commission]] for all Bharatmedia projects.}} | ||
Complaints involving the release of personally identifying information or other potential violations of the WMF's Privacy Policy should be made to the [[m:Ombuds commission|Ombuds commission]]. | Complaints involving the release of personally identifying information or other potential violations of the WMF's Privacy Policy should be made to the [[m:Ombuds commission|Ombuds commission]]. | ||
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* [[Bharatpedia:Arbitration Committee/CheckUser and Oversight]] – Local roles, appointments, and complaints about tool usage | * [[Bharatpedia:Arbitration Committee/CheckUser and Oversight]] – Local roles, appointments, and complaints about tool usage | ||
* [[m:Ombuds commission]] – Global oversight of the tool for all wikis | * [[m:Ombuds commission]] – Global oversight of the tool for all wikis | ||
* [//lists. | * [//lists.bharatmedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2006-April/020134.html <nowiki>[Foundation-l]</nowiki> CheckUser (thoughts)] – by Anthere on April 22, 2006, includes a historic background | ||
* {{tl|User checkuser since}} – a userbox to indicate having checkuser permission with period of time | * {{tl|User checkuser since}} – a userbox to indicate having checkuser permission with period of time | ||
* {{tl|User Bharatpedia/Checkuser}} – a [[Bharatpedia:Userboxes|userbox]] template to indicate you have the checkuser user right | * {{tl|User Bharatpedia/Checkuser}} – a [[Bharatpedia:Userboxes|userbox]] template to indicate you have the checkuser user right | ||