Wikipedia:Temporary account IP viewer

This page is a policy on the Simple English Wikipedia. Many people agree with it. They see it as a standard idea that all users should normally follow. When changing this page (except for minor errors like typos), please check that other people agree with your changes. Use the talk page when you are not sure or when you want to suggest a change.

Shortcuts WP:TAAWP:TAA WP:TAIPVWP:TAIPV

This page in a nutshell: Users with access to the temporary account IP viewer user right have to abide by restrictions on its use.

This userright allows those with the right to view IP addresses associated with temporary user accounts, thus providing private information for purposes of antivandalism, long-term abuse, spam, sockpuppetry and other similar violations of the rules. There are currently 11 users with the temporary account viewer permission locally.

Much like with the checkuser right this permission has restrictions on its use. It is forbidden to identify IP addresses to temporary accounts or regular user accounts and it is also forbidden to identify temporary user accounts to normal user accounts.

There are over-riding policies regarding who can get this right locally and how it is to be used. These can be found at the Wikimedia Foundation policy and agreement to them is not optional.

Users with access should also be aware that third parties may approach them to disclose IP address information to them. This should not be done unless the third party also has this user right or in accordance with policy. Such disclosure must be done in private.

Please note that use of the right is logged locally so checkusers will be able to see its use and why.

Local checkusers and oversighters have global access to this tool so can do cross-wiki investigations on wikis using temporary accounts. Local administrators can opt-in by going to your preferences.

Users with access to this right must agree to the global policy in their settings.

Requesting access

WMF policy states that the following criteria must be met;

• Users must request the right: administrators can not add the right without a request at RFP.
• Accounts must be at least 6 months old.
• Accounts must have at least 300 local edits.

On Simple English Wikipedia you must also have shown that you have a need for the right through antivandalism or other work in which viewing the IP address would be needed. If you have been inactive for over a year, your access will be removed.

Usage

Use of the temporary account IP viewer tool must follow the Access to Temporary Account IP Addresses Policy. There are some things you can and cannot say with this right.

• You can make comparisons to temporary accounts, IPs and/or user accounts based on behaviour, without using this tool. Make sure you don't look like you are using TAIV to do this.
• Publicly linking two temporary accounts is allowed if reasonably necessary. You could say this about vandalism or the three-revert rule.
• You should not publicise an IP address you got through TAIV.
  • Admins can make blocks that are timed so that the temporary account and IP seem to be connected. However, admins' block summaries and comments must follow these rules.
• You can describe temporary accounts compared to each other but you shouldn't say specific details about them.
• CheckUsers should usually treat temporary accounts similarly to how they treat IPs, in that normal accounts shouldn't be linked to temporary ones, as non-CheckUsers can then find out the IP.

Related pages

• Meta:Temporary account IP viewers