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This is the place to request sockpuppet checks or other investigations requiring CheckUser privileges by people with those privileges.

[edit] Operating Guidelines

Copied in part from Wikipedia's CheckUser -- this seems like a good CheckUser policy to begin with.

[edit] Introduction

CheckUser is an additional right that is granted to a small number of administrators. It is a delegation of a developer right that gives limited access to server logs of edits. Uses include identification of sockpuppets, block evasion, and use of open proxies. All usage of the privilege is logged and results may be shared with other projects via the private checkuser-l mailing list. The mailing list is covered by the Foundation's privacy policy, and checks may be executed as a result of reports from other wikis where vandalism or other disruption has occurred.

[edit] Caveats

1. Due to the effort involved, difficulty of interpretation of results and privacy issues raised, checkuser is a last resort for difficult cases. Use other methods first.
2. Obvious sock puppets may be treated as such without using checkuser.
3. Please do not list cases involving "throwaway" accounts that are only used for a few edits.
4. Data is kept for a limited time so we cannot compare against accounts that have not edited recently.
5. Open arbitration proceedings: Include a link to the case and an explanation of how the outcome of the results is relevant to the case. Where a large number of accounts are involved, list only three or four where the evidence is strongest.
6. Evasion of bans or other arbitration remedies: may be listed where the problem is ongoing. Include a link to the closed case.
7. Routine 3RR violations: do not list unless there is (a) an ongoing problem (b) reasonable doubt as to whether or not sock puppets are being used, and (c) disruption of editing that can't be addressed any other way.
8. Vandalism: only for ongoing serious pattern vandalism.
9. Vote fraud: only where (a) there is reasonable doubt as to whether or not the votes are valid (b) the vote or discussion period has closed, and (c) the possible sockpuppet votes actually affect the outcome of a decision. Provide a link to the closed vote and discussion.

[edit] Procedure

• List your request in this section.
• Clearly indicate the usernames or IP addresses you suspect. This is not the place to post long disputes over the merits of the check. If a compact, reasonable request, with the necessary diffs, cannot be made, then post it on WN:ALERT.
• Use *{{Checkuser|USERNAME TO BE CHECKED}}
• Include the reason for the investigation with links to the arbitration case(s) or other discussion.

• You must clearly lay out the evidence for sockpuppetry.
• You must explain how your request fits the policy above.

• Sign your request.

[edit] Outcome

• Responses will be cursory in nature in order to comply with Wikimedia privacy policy; supporting data is not provided.
• Results are not always clear due to the internal organization of some ISPs, and the fact that technically savvy users sometimes deliberately edit from unrelated IPs.
• Users with checkuser privilege crosscheck each others' work frequently. Please do not make requests for crosschecking for a particular case.
• Responses to CheckUser requests will be placed beneath your request. Old requests will be archived. Please check back here for responses.

Archives

[edit] Requests