Requests for Comment/Username policy (2)

There has already been an RfC on this matter last year, though in the end it was closed with no consensus, since the format of that RfC was not great, and instead of having users vote on individual rules, it was on full proposals which did not work out. I think a username policy is necessary to have on Miraheze, as currently it's up to discretion and sometimes there is uncertainty (at least for me) regarding whether a username should be allowed or not. In the case that none of the policy proposals pass, the enforcement will remain "Steward discretion". Please feel free to add any other proposals, and of course in this case most proposals are not mutually exclusive. Proposals here are taken from my original draft as well as from Robkelk's. Reception123 (talk) ('C' ) 16:54, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

Attribution: RfC Created by RhinosF1 and Reception123 with feedback from Spike.

Proposal 1

 * Stewards have discretion over which usernames should be locked or not for having an inappropriate username

b) Oppose

 * 1)  as the purpose of this RfC is to clarify what is allowed. Reception123  (talk) ('C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  Policy should be clear.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) Per above. Having a policy is a good idea.-- 05:09, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 4)  Stewards and CVT would have the duty to global lock an accounts username that is obvious abusive, even a local admin sometime would also applied the local block on it, so I don't think that "discretion" for the obvious abusive username is required. SA 13 Bro (talk) 07:29, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 5)  This is dubious, vague, and up to a wide range of interpretation. What is inappropriate to one person may be just borderline to another. Since the act of locking an account can potentially drive away legitimate contributors, a policy should be created to clarify this. — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk  ·  Contributions ) 15:42, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

d) Comments

 * I guess this RfC was created following my action of locking PIONEEROFUSOPEDIA, right? Just to clarify, my English name is The Pioneer, and I run a wiki named Usopedia, meaning that claiming to be "The Pioneer of Usopedia" is a clear impersonation (and also very unlikely to be a coincidence).-- 05:09, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * It's been in draft for a bit but quite a few recent actions have influenced it. ~ RhinosF1 - (chat)· acc· c -  14:40, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 2
The following proposals detail what usernames are not allowed on Miraheze.

Proposal 2.1

 * Usernames that are offensive, contain insulting material, harass a user or do not respect any global Miraheze policies.

a) Support

 * 1)  as proposer, makes sense. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  Pretty obvious.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) A clear case.-- 05:26, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 4)  This proposal make sense. S</b>A</b> 1</b>3</b> B</b>r</b>o</b> (talk) 07:30, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 5)  This should be obvious. — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk  ·  Contributions ) 15:42, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 6)  Hispano76 (talk) 16:00, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 2.2

 * Usernames that give the impression that the account in question has permissions which it does not have (e.g. "administrator", "bureaucrat", etc.).

a) Support

 * 1)  as proposer, makes sense. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  Makes sense, avoids confusion.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) A clear case.-- 05:26, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 4)  S</b>A</b> 1</b>3</b> B</b>r</b>o</b> (talk) 07:32, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

d) Comments

 * There may be some wiki communities that are okay with, or specifically have accounts that operate with, such usernames. I'm inclined to allow local wiki communities to decide on usernames like these. — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk ·  Contributions ) 15:42, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 2.3

 * Usernames that are deliberately similar to other usernames in the possible scope of impersonation (i.e. user a is called "Example", user b is called "Examplee")

a) Support

 * 1)  as proposer, makes sense. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  avoids confusion.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) While the proposal itself makes sense, I think we should give the user a chance to change their usernames before taking actions whenever we can think of the possibility of coincidental matches (ex. John is a common name in English Speaking countries, and a user can name himself John01 per his real name without knowing about our founder).-- 05:26, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * Yes, this proposal would be more up to discretion, and it would only be applied if there is an obvious or fairly clear scope of impersonation. Reception123 (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 06:30, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * , but the case should either be extremely clear (usually taking into account the actions of the user) or should be investigated, such as after consultation. Miraheze already has the AntiSpoof extension installed so that can help mitigate this to an extent already. — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk ·  Contributions ) 15:42, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

c) Abstain

 * I still remember that this user has the deliberately similar to Artix Kreiger, the username contain the word "Bot" may let other to be impressive thought that bot account is belong to Artix, but that bot account is not belonged to Artix, and I leave a message told the user considering to request for renaming account. I do agree with Pioneer, but this proposal shall be more discretion. S</b>A</b><b style="color:gold"> 1</b><b style="color:green">3</b><b style="color:blue"> B</b><b style="color:indigo">r</b><b style="color:violet">o</b> (talk) 08:03, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 2.4

 * Usernames that contain phone numbers or email addresses

a) Support

 * 1)  as proposer, makes sense. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  for everyone's sake.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) A clear case.-- 05:26, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 4)  Clear on it. <b style="color:red">S</b><b style="color:orange">A</b><b style="color:gold"> 1</b><b style="color:green">3</b><b style="color:blue"> B</b><b style="color:indigo">r</b><b style="color:violet">o</b> (talk) 08:06, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

d) Comments

 * Phone numbers and email addresses are, I presume, already subject to oversight. However, there are reasons why someone may want to publish their own email addresses (it may be a public email address). There is at least one user on Wikipedia who has an email address as their username (link), and although it is now technically impossible to do so (as usernames can no longer be created with the "@" symbol), they were grandfathered in and allowed to keep their username. They haven't had too many issues with this, aside from the occasional editor berating them for having such a username. Should this be considered? — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk ·  Contributions ) 15:42, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 2.5

 * Usernames that contain the exact name of a wiki (e.g. a user named "Metawiki") or the name of Miraheze unless the account is ran by that wiki's staff.

a) Support

 * 1)  I think that accounts should be individual and someone shouldn't have the same name as their wiki. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  With the bit I added on seen as I have QuIRC for QuIRC as a contact account.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) A clear case.-- 05:26, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 4)  <b style="color:red">S</b><b style="color:orange">A</b><b style="color:gold"> 1</b><b style="color:green">3</b><b style="color:blue"> B</b><b style="color:indigo">r</b><b style="color:violet">o</b> (talk) 08:08, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 5)  The account would need to be confirmed by at least one admin of the wiki in question to be a legitimate account. Local wiki admins should also be able to have such usernames usurped to prevent confusion, in case one malicious actor does register such a username. — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk  ·  Contributions ) 15:42, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 2.6

 * Usernames that resemble IP addresses (as these are expected to designate non-logged-in users), timestamps, system messages or are deliberately cause confusion are prohibited.

a) Support

 * 1)  as proposer, makes sense. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  so it's clear whose logged in or not.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

c) Abstain

 * 1) I'm not sure about this, because the border line is unclear. For example, User:999.999.999.999 cannot be an IP address (which is clear to me), but some might say it resembles it.-- 05:26, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  I agree with Pioneer, IPv4 CIDR notation has no such of number bits larger than 255. <b style="color:red">S</b><b style="color:orange">A</b><b style="color:gold"> 1</b><b style="color:green">3</b><b style="color:blue"> B</b><b style="color:indigo">r</b><b style="color:violet">o</b> (talk) 08:23, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

d) Comments

 * I believe usernames that resemble IP addresses cannot be created in the MediaWiki software per w:en:Wikipedia:Naming_conventions_(technical_restrictions). I'm hesitant on prohibiting timestamps and system messages; usernames like "0823, 12 September 2019 UTC" or "What links here" don't seem to be problematic to me. "Deliberately cause[s] confusion" needs to be defined a bit more clearly. Also, I hope we don't consider usernames like this one to be problematic. — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk ·  Contributions ) 15:42, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 2.8

 * Usernames which could be easily misunderstood to refer to a "bot" or a "script" (which alludes to automated editing processes) or indicates it is part of the mediawiki software, unless the account is of that type.

a) Support

 * 1)  as proposer, makes sense. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  as joint proposer.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) A clear case.-- 05:26, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 4)  Leave a message warn the user considering to request for renaming account first, before discretion to apply the block. <b style="color:red">S</b><b style="color:orange">A</b><b style="color:gold"> 1</b><b style="color:green">3</b><b style="color:blue"> B</b><b style="color:indigo">r</b><b style="color:violet">o</b> (talk) 08:34, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 5)  per SA 13 Bro. Local wiki communities may also prefer having a little more control with regards to this policy, so consultation should be sought before any action is taken. — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk  ·  Contributions ) 15:56, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 2.9

 * Usernames that seem intended to provoke a reaction ("trolling").

a) Support

 * 1)  as proposer, makes sense. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  Of course  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) A clear case.-- 05:26, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 4)  <b style="color:red">S</b><b style="color:orange">A</b><b style="color:gold"> 1</b><b style="color:green">3</b><b style="color:blue"> B</b><b style="color:indigo">r</b><b style="color:violet">o</b> (talk) 08:35, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 1 (General enforcement)

 * If an account that does not respect this policy is created, they should be warned, linked to this policy and invited to change their username. If they do not do so in a time period determined by a Steward they will be locked for violating the policy.

b) Oppose

 * 1)  the time period could be confusing, proposal 2 is more clear. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  allows for discretion  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

c) Abstain

 * 1) I don't think giving a time period itself is a bad idea, and I would've supported it if the "time period" were made clear on the policy page (and not determined by Stewards' discretion).-- 06:04, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 2 (General enforcement)

 * If an account that does not respect this policy is created, they should be warned, linked to this policy and invited to change their username. If they edit a wiki globally and ignore the warning from a Steward, they will be locked for violating the policy.

a) Support

 * 1)  I think users should be given a chance to change their username, but if they edit and ignore a warning they should nonetheless be locked. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * Edit: Support is only counted if Amendment 1 passes, if it does not I oppose. Reception123 (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 15:40, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 1)  gives user a chance but clear in when to act.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

b) Oppose

 * 1) As I think there are some flaws in this proposal, I won't cast a support vote unless some additional conditions are added.
 * 2) Requesting for wiki creation and other logged actions should be counted as well.
 * 3) Not all users receive global notifications, and it should be made clear that the warning should be posted on the wiki where the user is active (and not necessarily on meta).
 * 4) Clear cut cases of bad faith violation (ex. a clear impersonation of a complicated username, usernames with clear intentions to attack others such as "f*ck USERNAME") should be exempted from being warned and can/should be locked on sight.
 * -- 06:04, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Amendment 1 to Proposal 2 (General enforcement)

 * Warnings given should be posted on wikis where users are active and will see them.
 * Clear cut cases of bad faith violation (ex. a clear impersonation of a complicated username, usernames with clear intentions to attack others, usernames that violate policies) don't have to be warned and can be locked on sight.
 * CLARIFICATION: "edit" in Proposal 2 is changed to edits or logs

a) Support

 * 1)  Per the Pioneer. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 15:40, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2) I'm inclined to support this amendment if there is also the additional clause that if the username is not a clear cut case, the user should be talked to informally rather than "warned". A one-on-one discussion with the user should be sought before any sort of community-wide RFC is held to determine if the username is problematic, in order to avoid embarrassing users. If it's a clear cut case though, then obviously they should be locked right away. — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk  ·  Contributions ) 15:56, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 3 (General enforcement)

 * If an account that does not respect this policy is created, they will be globally locked on sight by a Steward and must create another account in order to edit.

a) Support

 * 1) As for clear cut cases, this should be applied. Only for those that could be a coincidental violation (without bad faith) should receive warnings beforehand.-- 06:04, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  for clear cut cases only. For more edge cases, a one-on-one discussion with the user should be attempted, and then an RFC for the community to decide if that doesn't work. Edge cases shouldn't result in them being locked if the user is otherwise contributing in good faith, as we'll drive away much needed contributors. — k6ka  <span title="Canadian!" style="color:red">🍁 ( Talk  ·  Contributions ) 15:56, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

b) Oppose

 * 1)  per above, I think there should be a chance to change it before an immediate lock. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  let's give some notice.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 3.1 (General enforcement)

 * If the account is not respecting proposal 2.5 (assuming it passes) they may be warned instead of being directly locked (since it could be because of ignorance of the policy)

a) Support

 * 1)  per above. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

c) Abstain

 * 1) I wonder why it's only 2.5. It should be applied to any cases when we can think the possibility of a mere ignorance.-- 06:04, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 4 (Provisions for accounts created prior to the policy being adopted)

 * Usernames which already exist and that do not respect this policy (after it is in effect) will be given a warning and invited to change their username immediately, if they do not due so in a period of 3 months, they will be globally locked.

a) Support

 * 1)  Three months is a generous time for current users to change their usernames. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  generous and allows time to apply for a name change and stewards to do it.  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

b) Oppose

 * 1) While 3 months is enough for active users, it might not be for inactive users, and I think we can wait for 6 months or even more for those who have been inactive after the warning. At least, they won't do any harm as long as they are inactive. Besides, if proposal 2 passes, newcomers won't be locked as long as they remain inactive, which is contradictory.-- 06:04, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 5 (Provisions for accounts created prior to the policy being adopted)

 * Usernames which already exist and that do not respect this policy (after it is in effect) will be given a warning and invited to change their username immediately, if they do not due so in a period of 6 months, they will be globally locked.

b) Oppose

 * 1)  Six months is too much, if for some reason a user would return they could eventually contact Stewards and agree on a username change. Reception123  (talk) (<font color="#DC143C">'C' ) 17:02, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 2)  ^  ~ RhinosF1 - (chat) · CA · contribs · Rights - ) 17:42, 11 September 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) While 3 months is enough for active users, it might not be for inactive users, and I think we can wait for 6 months or even more for those who have been inactive after the warning. At least, they won't do any harm as long as they are inactive. Besides, if proposal 2 passes, newcomers won't be locked as long as they remain inactive, which is contradictory.-- 06:04, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposal 6 (Provisions for accounts created prior to the policy being adopted)

 * Usernames which already exist and that do not respect this policy (after it is in effect) will be given a warning and invited to change their username immediately, if they are confirmed to be active globally after the warning and do not change their usernames in a period of 3 months, they will be globally locked.

a) Support

 * 1) As the proposer and per above.-- 06:04, 12 September 2019 (UTC)