CheckUser: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:12, 3 May 2026

CheckUser is a special page used by Stewards, Trust and Safety, and in some cases local checkusers.

Criteria for use of CheckUser

The tool is to be used to fight vandalism, to check for sockpuppet abuse, and to limit disruption of projects. It must be used only to prevent damage to any WikiOasis wiki or the community.

The tool should not be used to apply pressure on editors; or as a threat against another editor in a content dispute. A valid reason to lookup user information must be stated explicitly. Note that alternative accounts are not forbidden, so long as they are not used in violation of global or local policy. Global policy on this matter sets out the following basic requirements:

All alternative accounts must be disclosed, and
All alternative accounts must have a legitimate reason to exist, as decided by Stewards.

Notification to the account that is checked is permitted but is not mandatory. Similarly, notification of the check to the community is not mandatory but may be done subject to the provisions of the privacy policy.

Some wikis allow an editor's IPs to be checked upon their request if, for example, there is a need to provide evidence of innocence against a sockpuppet allegation; note, however, that requesting a CheckUser in these circumstances is sometimes part of the attempt to disrupt.

Because WikiOasis users may accidentally create accounts on local wikis just by visiting the local wiki, CheckUsers must never violate the Privacy Policy or the guidelines above.

Election of Local Checkusers

In order for a wiki to elect checkusers, all of the following must be fulfilled:

There must be at least two checkusers at all times who have signed an NDA with the WikiOasis Foundation. Stewards are acceptable.
There must be a need for local checkusers, as determined by Stewards,
Local checkusers must enter into a collaborative agreement with Stewards, and
The election must take place on Meta and fulfill all requirements for Steward.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{global policy}}
 '''CheckUser''' is a special page used by Stewards, Trust and Safety, and in some cases local checkusers.
 ==Criteria for use of CheckUser==
 The tool is to be used to fight vandalism, to check for sockpuppet abuse, and to limit disruption of projects. It must be used only to prevent damage to any WikiOasis wiki or the community.
-The tool should not be used to apply pressure on editors; or as a threat against another editor in a content dispute. A valid reason to lookup user information must be stated explicitly. Note that alternative accounts are not forbidden, so long as they are not used in violation of the policies.
+The tool should not be used to apply pressure on editors; or as a threat against another editor in a content dispute. A valid reason to lookup user information must be stated explicitly. Note that alternative accounts are not forbidden, so long as they are not used in violation of global or local policy. Global policy on this matter sets out the following basic requirements:
+* All alternative accounts must be disclosed, and
+* All alternative accounts must have a legitimate reason to exist, as decided by Stewards.
-Notification to the account that is checked is permitted but is not mandatory. Similarly, notification of the check to the community is not mandatory, but may be done subject to the provisions of the privacy policy.
+Notification to the account that is checked is permitted but is not mandatory. Similarly, notification of the check to the community is not mandatory but may be done subject to the provisions of the privacy policy.
 Some wikis allow an editor's IPs to be checked upon their request if, for example, there is a need to provide evidence of innocence against a sockpuppet allegation; note, however, that requesting a CheckUser in these circumstances is sometimes part of the attempt to disrupt.
 Because WikiOasis users may accidentally create accounts on local wikis just by visiting the local wiki, CheckUsers must never violate the Privacy Policy or the guidelines above.
-==Election of Local Checkusers==
+== Election of Local Checkusers ==
 In order for a wiki to elect checkusers, all of the following must be fulfilled:
-#There must be at least two checkusers at all times who have signed an NDA with the WikiOasis Foundation. Stewards are acceptable.
+# There must be at least two checkusers at all times who have signed an NDA with the WikiOasis Foundation. Stewards are acceptable.
-#There must be a need for local checkusers, as determined by Stewards, and
+# There must be a need for local checkusers, as determined by Stewards,
-#Local checkusers must enter into a collaborative agreement with Stewards.
+# Local checkusers must enter into a collaborative agreement with Stewards, and
-#The election must take place on Meta and fulfill all requirements for [[Stewards|Steward]].
+# The election must take place on Meta and fulfill all requirements for [[Stewards|Steward]].