Global locks
From Meta, a Wikimedia project coordination wiki
A Global lock is a way by which stewards can technically prevent accounts from logging into any Wikimedia project (and thus, no editing can be done). When an account is locked, attempts to log into it fail on all Wikimedia projects. It is generally applied to vandalism-only accounts, though in rare cases (until global blocking is extended to named accounts) users who would be eligible for a global block are locked in this way as well. The locking interface also offers the option of hiding the account name in all logs, for usernames that are harrassing or offensive.
- For Global blocks and bans, see Global blocks and Global bans.
- Global locks may be requested and appealed at Steward requests/Global.
- Global IP blocks do not apply on Meta. Globally blocked IP addresses that are abusing Meta as well are locally blocked on Meta.
Reasons to request a global lock
The following is a list of common reasons for global locks. As a general rule, global locks happen rarely and almost always in clear-cut situations. There is no community-approved policy governing global locks, but this list represents de facto practice.
- Accounts that have been used only for vandalism or abuse on multiple wikis and are actively vandalizing now or obviously are otherwise being disruptive on multiple wikis are candidates for a global lock. Please include links to block histories or other evidence of abuse on other projects, and indicate where the account is still active.
- Accounts whose names are offensive or abusive are also eligible for locking, and may be hidden from logs as well.
- Accounts that have violated other principles which are grounds for indefinite blocks on multiple individual wikis, such as making repeated legal threats, publishing child pornography, or posting private personal information about others which may endanger them.
- Accounts that have been created to evade a community global ban.
- Accounts that are suspected of being compromised, to be temporarily locked while the owner is contacted to maintain account security.
