Historically they have HATED sockpuppetry--unless insiders did it, then oh, well, it was fully acceptable. I could dump a massive pile of examples on you if desired. Now they're setting up a system for people to edit under "seeekret" sock accounts known only to administrators. As if there weren't enough socks on the shithole as it is.Currently, if a user edits an article while not logged in, their IP address will show publicly, which can provide information to someone looking to file a defamation or libel lawsuit. Wikimedia is launching a “temporary accounts program” which will give editors who are not logged in a temporary username rather than showing an IP address. “It’s a way of ensuring that for logged-out users, their IP address isn’t visible to everyone asunder but rather available only to people who are really engaged in anti-vandalism,” Phil Bradley-Schmieg, a Wikimedia lawyer, said.
Bradley-Schmieg also suggested that Wikimedia’s human rights team, which is focused on “helping users stay safe, particularly in countries where freedom of speech and expression is under attack on a regular basis,” may need to play a larger role across the entire project.
Jacob Rogers, another Wikimedia lawyer, said during a separate meeting on January 30 that some Wikimedia projects in non-English languages have a feature where users are allowed to create and register a sock-puppet account (a dummy username, basically) to edit controversial articles and to register that account with administrators. Or, at least, mush-mouthing about setting something up.
“A number of the different language projects have the option to make legitimate sock puppet accounts if you’re going to work on something you know is going to be controversial, you can make a sock puppet and register it with admins on that project so it’s more obscure, kept separate from the rest of your life,” Rogers said.
Also included was a video of an "open call Conversation With The Trustees" from January 30. Note that these "open calls" are NOT open to anyone but approved Members Of The Cult. Perish forbid that some rabble might show up there and ask Jimboob and his acolytes embarrassing questions.
Note that only Andy Mabbett (a consummate insider) was permitted to ask probing questions, particularly how the Volunteer Response Team (OTRS) actually operates--the VRT ignored his inquiries because "it's all confidential", so he asked the WMF Board. At great length, typical of Andy. AND THEY IGNORED HIM. The conversation wandered off into other areas, mostly how to hide one's identity and some more deploring of the US political situation.
Typical WMF meeting. Ignore, deflect, distract, change the subject, arrive at no conclusions, make no decisions.
