[Foundation-l] Re: check user policy/Tor

Thu Nov 3 14:55:35 UTC 2005

On 11/2/05, Amgine <amgine at saewyc.net> wrote:

> Anthony DiPierro wrote:
>
> > Personally I just started using Tor. So CheckUser doesn't affect me any
> >more. As an added bonus I don't have to worry about Google tracking me
> >either. Fortunately, most Tor exit nodes aren't currently blocked,
> though.
> >If this changes, this workaround might go away. Hopefully the other
> policy,
> >to allow (at least some) logged in users to edit through blocked proxies,
> >will pass by then.
> >
> >
> >
>
> Having just spent a couple of evenings dealing with a Tor-using vandal,
> I would personally immediately suspect any account using Tor of
> sock-puppetry simply due to guilt by association. Secrecy and anonymity
> are laudable, but since their primary visible use is to engage in
> unethical and/or illegal behavior vis-a-vis Wikimedia projects they are
> immediately deserving of suspicion.
>
For the same reason Wiki projects do not allow "public" accounts, there
> is no reason to use anonymizing techniques when editing. You may
> instantly and anonymously receive an account. Your IP will not be
> examined except in unusual circumstances, and then will be handled under
> a stringent privacy policy which protects your information even in the
> case of wrong doing. For these reasons, I would personally be in favour
> of blocking access, or at least editing, to all anonymizing services.
>
> Amgine

 You're confusing IP addresses and anonymity. When I edit, I use my real
name. I'm not anonymous in any way. I primarily use tor to hide my IP
address, not my identity.
 I don't care that you say that my IP won't be examined except in unusual
circumstances. The simple fact that this is recorded in the first place is
enough, and the lack of protections to make sure that it *cannot* be
examined except in unusal circumstances combined with the fact that I am not
even notified when this information is examined are enough to put it over
the top.
 Wiki projects do not need to know my IP address, and I'm not going to
provide it. If you don't want my edits under those conditions, it's your
loss.