CheckUser/en

CheckUser is an interface that allows CheckUsers and Stewards 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   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 Miraheze wiki;


 * Determine the edits, logged actions and password resets on the Miraheze 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 (3 months), 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   permission: 
 * CheckUser got IP addresses for Example (talk | contribs | block) (a very good reason for looking at their IPs)
 * CheckUser got users for 127.0.0.1 (another good reason)

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 Miraheze wiki or the community.

The tool should not be used to apply pressure on editors; or as a threat against another editor in a content dispute. A valid reason to lookup user information must be stated explicitly. 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 CheckUser in these circumstances is sometimes part of the attempt to disrupt.

Because Miraheze users may accidentally create accounts on local wikis just by visiting the local wiki, CheckUsers must never violate the Privacy Policy or the guidelines above.

Contacting a CheckUser
The best way to contact a CheckUser 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
In theory, permission is granted by adding users to the   group. In practical terms, the permission is not granted locally for several important reasons. Instead, if you need to contact a CheckUser, please see the above section.