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Wikipedia:Update/1/Enforcement policy changes, 2011

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4th quarter 2011





3rd quarter 2011





  • Wikipedia:Sock puppetry
    • In WP:SOCK#Legitimate uses, added: [An editor might use an alternative account] "to segregate functions such as work with specific kinds of media files, so as to maintain a user talk page dedicated to the purpose."



  • Wikipedia:Vandalism
    • New subsection: WP:VAN#Image vandalism
    • In WP:VAN#Warnings, changed: "Adding or continuing to add external links to non-notable or irrelevant sites (e.g. to advertise one's website) to pages after having been warned is vandalism, or sites that have some relationship to the subject matter, but advertise or promote in the user's interest, or text that promotes one's personal interests." to: "Adding or continuing to add spam external links is vandalism if the activity continues after a warning. A spam external link is one added to a page mainly for the purpose of promoting a website, product or a user's interests rather than to improve the page editorially."
2nd quarter 2011





  • Wikipedia:Protection policy
    • In WP:PROTECT#Move protection, added: "When move protection is applied during a requested move discussion the page should be protected at the location it was at when the move request was started."
    • In WP:PROTECT#Permanent protection, added: [Files are indefinitely move-protected,] "though file movers and administrators may still move them."
    • In WP:PROTECT#User pages, changed: "User pages and subpages are protected at the user's request if there is evidence of vandalism or disruption." to: "User pages and subpages are sometimes protected at the user's request, or if there is evidence of vandalism or disruption."
    • In WP:PROTECT#Blocked users, changed: [the talk page may be protected for a short time to prevent abusive editing.] "When required, it should be implemented for a brief period which should not exceed the length of the block or six months, whichever is shorter." to: "When required, it should be implemented for a brief period which should not exceed the length of the block, whichever is shorter. Consider disabling the user's talk page access via the block feature instead. In cases where the user has been blocked indefinitely, they should be informed of off-wiki ways to appeal their block, such as the unblock-en-l mailing list or ban appeals subcommittee of the Arbitration Committee."




1st quarter 2011

  • Wikipedia:Administrators
    • In WP:ADMIN#History, added: [... important, merely "being an administrator" should not be.] "Whether this description remains accurate—eight years after it was first stated—is a matter of continuing debate. Nonetheless, it is still a useful adage."
    • In WP:ADMIN#Becoming an administrator, added: [Only one account of a given person may have administrative tools.] "The only exceptions are bots with administrative access. See WP:ADMINSOCK."
    • In the new subsection WP:ADMIN#Care and judgement, added: [... administrative abilities.] "Occasional lapses are accepted but serious or repeated lapses may not always be."
    • In WP:ADMINS#Involved admins, changed: [... an administrator who has interacted with an editor or] "article" [purely in an administrative role ... is not involved] to: "topic area"
    • In WP:ADMINS#Disputes or complaints, added: "... or dialog fails," [then the following steps are available.]
    • In WP:ADMINS#Arbitration Committee review, added: [However, if the matter is serious enough, the Arbitration Committee may intervene without a request for comment on administrator conduct] "or other steps."



  • Wikipedia:Harassment
    • In the introduction, added: "Harassment can also include actions calculated to be noticed by the target and clearly suggestive of targeting them, where no direct communication takes place."
    • In WP:Harassment#Harassment and disruption, added: [Harassment, threats,] "intimidation," [repeated annoying and unwanted contact] "or attention," [and repeated personal attacks may reduce an editor's enjoyment of Wikipedia and thus cause disruption to the project.]
    • In WP:Harassment#Posting of personal information, added: "The fact that a person either has posted personal information or edits under their own name, making them easily identifiable through online searches, is not an excuse for "opposition research." Dredging up their off line opinions to be used to constantly challenge their edits can be a form of harassment, just as doing so regarding their past edits on other Wikipedia articles may be. However, once individuals have identified themselves, such information can be used for discussions of conflict of interest in appropriate forums."
    • In WP:Harassment#Assistance for administrators being harassed, added: "Administrators are volunteer editors like any other user. They are not obligated any more than any other user, to take any specific action beyond expected good conduct and responsiveness ..."




  • Wikipedia:Username policy
    • In WP:U#Real names, changed: "Do not edit under the name of a well-known living person unless it is your real name, and you either are that well-known person or you make it clear that you are not. Such usernames may be blocked as a precaution." to: "Do not register a username that includes the name of an identifiable living person unless it is your real name. This includes implying a relationship with another person. If you share a name with a well-known person, you need to make it clear that you are not the well-known person of that name. Such usernames may be blocked as a precaution, until proof of identity is provided."
    • Substantial changes to WP:U#Company/group names
    • In WP:U#Similar usernames, added: "One should not chose a username that implies a relationship with an existing editor (unless the account is actually owned or the relationship is acknowledged by the editor themselves)."
    • New subsection: WP:U#Exceptions


  • Wikipedia:Vandalism
    • In the introduction, added: "While editors are encouraged to warn and educate vandals, warnings are by no means necessary for an administrator to block."
    • In WP:Vandalism#Types of vandalism, added: "Impersonating other users by signing an edit with a different username or IP address also constitutes sneaky vandalism, but take care not to confuse this with appropriately correcting an unsigned edit made by another user."