User:Isochrone/No personal attacks
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This user page is under construction, or in the middle of an expansion or major redevelopment. |
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The proposal may still be in development, under discussion, or in the process of gathering consensus for adoption. References or links to this page should not describe it as "policy".
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This page in a nutshell: Comment on content, not contributors. |
Sometimes, users may disagree on Wikimedia Commons. Instead of commenting on the problem, and possible solutions, they make a defamatory comment about the user, or users, whom they disagree with. This is a personal attack, and are not accepted on Commons. Making personal attacks are contrary to Commons' goals and aims; Not only do personal attacks discourage editors, but also damages the project, and its users. Personal attacks make it more difficult for editors to work together, and create a corrosive atmosphere. You should comment on the content, not the contributor.
Editors reserve the right to remove any personal attacks on Commons, and repeat offenders may be blocked under the blocking policy. Additionally, Wikimedia's Terms of Use, section 4, specifically prohibits harassing, abusing and violating the privacy of others.
What is as a personal attack?[edit]
- Discrimination based on race, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, etc. towards an editor, or multiple editors.
- Discrediting an editor's viewpoint based on their affiliations, political preferences, etc. These are known as ad hominem arguments.
- Comparing users to Nazis, terrorists, dictators, or other infamous persons or organisations.
- Linking to off-wiki harassment or personal attacks with the intent of attacking another editor.
- Making threats of violence/off-wiki action, including death threats (Note: These should additionally be directed to Wikimedia Trust & Safety).
- Threatening to perform actions that may affect or endanger a user's real life, such as disclosing non-public personal information (PII).
These are only examples. Often, a personal attack fits more than one of these examples. Insulting a user is a personal attack regardless of how it is done.
What to do if a user makes a personal attack[edit]
If you are on the receiving end of a personal attack, it may be difficult for you. It is important for you to remain calm and assume good faith. Do not reply to personal attacks with equally disparaging/unhelpful comments, as this only makes the situation worse. Instead, you should ask the user to apologise and refactor or remove the relevant comment.
If the personal attack is highly egregious, then any editor, including the subject of the personal attack, may remove it in good faith. Make clear that a personal attack has been removed by using a template like {{RPA}} or {{Redacted}}. See Commons:Civility#Removing uncivil comments.
Users who make incredibly uncivil or repeat personal attacks should be reported to the user problems board so that administrators may take relevant actions, such as blocks or sanctions. If the attack contains threats of violence, it should be reported to Wikimedia Trust & Safety, if it contains personal information, it should be sent to Oversight. Users may be warned to stop their personal attacks with a warning template like {{subst:Be civil}} and {{subst:Be civil final}}.
See also[edit]
- Commons:Assume good faith
- Commons:Talk page guidelines § How to avoid abuse of Talk pages
- Commons:Blocking policy
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Contains content from en:WP:No personal attacks, meta:Meta:Civility, simple:Wikipedia:No personal attacks