CheckUser policy

CheckUser is a tool available to certain administrators (called "checkusers"). The tool may be used to reveal the IP addresses associated with a registered account, as well as other technical data about accounts and IP addresses.

Use of the tool

CheckUser should be used to prevent or investigate vandalism, sockpuppetry, and other disruption on the WickedGov site. It should never be used to exert political control or threaten other users.

Checkusers are permitted, but not required, to notify the subjects of their checks.

Grounds for checking

Checkusers should always be able to cite specific, reasonable grounds for conducting a check. Valid reasons include:

• Reasonable suspicion of sockpuppetry, even if the primary account is not known.
• When a history of abusing multiple accounts has been established, checking IP addresses for purposes of detecting sleeper accounts or blocking underlying IPs.

Use of CheckUser without justification is called "fishing" and is prohibited. Fishing may result in revocation of privileges.

Release of CheckUser data

Per the Privacy Policy, private CheckUser data must not be disclosed, except in the following circumstances:

• With the consent of the checked user.
• As necessary to prevent persistent vandalism or abuse to WickedGov. This includes necessary disclosure of IP addresses in order to make IP blocks.

When in doubt, checkusers should provide as little information as possible. Explicit statements such as "User A is connecting from IP address 127.0.0.1" are rarely necessary and should be avoided.