CheckUser
CheckUser is an interface that allows Check Users to look up and find the IP addresses of editors (to investigate claims of sockpuppetry), find all Usernames used by a certain IP address, and find all edits made by a certain IP address on all accounts or while logged out.
CheckUser Tools
CheckUser is an interface for users with the checkuser permission. By using it, users are able to:
- Determine from which IPs a user has edited or done a logged action or password reset on the Wikimedia wiki;
- Determine the edits, logged actions and password resets on the Orain wiki of a specific IP (even when logged in);
- Determine whether the user being checked has sent an email using MediaWiki interface to some other user. The time of the event is logged, the destination email address and user ID are obscured.
This information is only stored for a short period, so edits made prior to that will not be shown via CheckUser.
A log is kept of who has made which queries with the tool. This log is available to those with the checkuser-log permission:
Use of the tool
The tool is to be used to fight vandalism, to check for sockpuppet abuse, and to limit disruption of the project. It must be used only to prevent damage to any of the Orain wikis.
The tool should not be used to apply pressure on editors; or as a threat against another editor in a content dispute. There must be a valid reason to check a user. Note that alternative accounts are not forbidden, so long as they are not used in violation of the policies.
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 his or her request if, for example, there is a need to provide evidence of innocence against a sockpuppet allegation; note, however, that requesting a Check User in these circumstances is sometimes part of the attempt to disrupt.
Because Orain users may accidentally create accounts on local wikis just by opening the web page, Check Users must never violate the Privacy policy or the guidelines above.
Contacting a CheckUser
The best way to contact a Check User is to leave a notice on the Stewards' noticeboard since Stewards have access to the CheckUser tools and most users with elevated permissions check the noticeboard.
Permission
Permission is granted by adding users to the checkuser group. Requests for permissions should be left on Meta:Requests for permissions or on the Stewards' noticeboard.
Identification
Users must identify themselves to Orain staff and be logged at the Identification log before they can be given CheckUser permissions.