Wikipedia:Access to nonpublic information
 | This is an information page. It describes the editing community's established practice on some aspect or aspects of Wikipedia's norms and customs. It is not one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. |
In a few contexts, Wikipedia contributors are required to sign the Wikimedia Foundation's confidentiality agreement for nonpublic information. This page describes those situations and the process involved.
Contents
Background[edit]
The current "m:Access to nonpublic personal data policy" was approved by the Wikimedia Foundation's Board of Trustees on 6 November 2018. It replaced the 2014 "Access to nonpublic information policy" which replaced the 2007 "Access to nonpublic data policy". The access to nonpublic personal data policy requires that any individual who has access to certain non-public data sign the Wikimedia Foundation's confidentiality agreement for nonpublic information along with meeting age and identification requirements.
Scope[edit]
On the English Wikipedia, all users who wish to be arbitrators, CheckUsers, Oversighters or users involved in the request-an-account process are required to sign the confidentiality agreement with the Wikimedia Foundation.
Outside the English Wikipedia, all users who wish to be Stewards and others who will have access to nonpublic information must also sign the confidentiality agreement. Members of the volunteer response team are required to sign a confidentiality agreement specific to that group's requirements.
Individuals serving on the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees and System administrators are also required to sign agreements specific to their roles with the Wikimedia Foundation.
Procedure[edit]
At Meta-Wiki, there is a noticeboard that designated individuals working for the Wikimedia Foundation updates. A steward will not grant CheckUser or Oversight permissions without the account being listed at the noticeboard.
Steps to signing the agreement[edit]
The official instructions for signing the confidentiality agreement are maintained and available in multiple languages on Meta-Wiki.
Data retention[edit]
The signatures are collected and stored in Legalpad on Wikimedia's Phabricator installation.
See also[edit]
- Users Search box for users by name or official capacity
- Access to nonpublic information policy - Noticeboard at Meta-Wiki
- Confidentiality agreement for nonpublic information
- Wikimedia Foundation's policy regarding access to non-public data
