Wikibooks:Sockpuppets

Sockpuppetry, or socking, refers to abuse of multiple user accounts created by a single person. The primary account of the user is often referred to as the puppet master. Wikibookians are generally expected to use only one account to maintain transparency, however, there are a number of legitimate uses for maintaining an alternate account.

Legitimate uses

Some legitimate uses of alternate accounts include:

• Bots: Creating a second account for use as a bot. Bot accounts should be clearly marked as such.
• Doppelgänger: Reserving account names that look similar, to prevent impersonation. These accounts should not be used for editing.
• Privacy: Creating a second account for editing books that are controversial amongst the editor's family, social or professional circle.
• Maintenance: Approved testing of automated functions, graphical user interfaces, bots, user preferences and piping.

Legitimate alternate accounts, with the exception of those created for privacy reasons, should be clearly labeled on their userpage indicating the main account of the editor.

Inappropriate uses

Wikibookians should not use alternate accounts to mislead, cause disruptions, or undermine consensus. Inappropriate uses of alternate accounts include, but aren't limited to:

• Creating a secondary account to circumvent a user block.
• Creating multiple alternate accounts to cast additional votes in discussions.
• Leaving multiple comments in a discussion and thereby giving the appearance more users are involved.
• Using multiple accounts to be uncivil, disruptive, or abusive in any way.
• Contributing to the same page or book with multiple accounts that are not clearly linked, legitimate accounts.

Handling suspected sockpuppets

If you believe an editor is making use of sockpuppets, you should file a report at Administrative Assistance. When reporting suspected sockpuppetry, great care must be taken to avoid outing the editor by disclosing personal or identifying information. Reports of suspected sockpuppetry must be accompanied with evidence, and frivolous reports without basis in fact may be considered as a personal attack.

Blocking

When an editor is found to be using a sockpuppet, the sockpuppet account(s) should be blocked indefinitely. The main account may also be blocked by an uninvolved administrator depending on the severity of the abuse. IP addresses used for sockpuppetry may be blocked, subject to restriction.