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Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Macgirl (talk | contribs) at 21:10, 18 August 2024 (→User:Macgirl: Edited to retract comment about personal attack, as the original poster's approach is standard, per Axad 12.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.


Latest comment: 2 months ago by Macgirl in topic User:Macgirl
"WP:COIN" redirects here. For the WikiProject on articles about coins, see Wikipedia:WikiProject Numismatics.
    Welcome to Conflict of interest Noticeboard (COIN)
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    This Conflict of interest/Noticeboard (COIN) page is for determining whether a specific editor has a conflict of interest (COI) for a specific article and whether an edit by a COIN-declared COI editor meets a requirement of the Conflict of Interest guideline. A conflict of interest may occur when an editor has a close personal or business connection with article topics. Post here if you are concerned that an editor has a COI, and is using Wikipedia to promote their own interests at the expense of neutrality. For content disputes, try proposing changes at the article talk page first and otherwise follow the Wikipedia:Dispute resolution procedural policy.
    You must notify any editor who is the subject of a discussion. You may use {{subst:coin-notice}} ~~~~ to do so.
    Additional notes:
    • This page should only be used when ordinary talk page discussion has been attempted and failed to resolve the issue, such as when an editor has repeatedly added problematic material over an extended period.
    • Do not post personal information about other editors here without their permission. Non-public evidence of a conflict of interest can be emailed to paid-en-wp@wikipedia.org for review by a functionary. If in doubt, you can contact an individual functionary or the Arbitration Committee privately for advice.
    • The COI guideline does not absolutely prohibit people with a connection to a subject from editing articles on that subject. Editors who have such a connection can still comply with the COI guideline by discussing proposed article changes first, or by making uncontroversial edits. COI allegations should not be used as a "trump card" in disputes over article content. However, paid editing without disclosure is prohibited. Consider using the template series {{Uw-paid1}} through {{Uw-paid4}}.
    • Your report or advice request regarding COI incidents should include diff links and focus on one or more items in the COI guideline. In response, COIN may determine whether a specific editor has a COI for a specific article. There are three possible outcomes to your COIN request:
    1. COIN consensus determines that an editor has a COI for a specific article. In response, the relevant article talk pages may be tagged with {{Connected contributor}}, the article page may be tagged with {{COI}}, and/or the user may be warned via {{subst:uw-coi|Article}}.
    2. COIN consensus determines that an editor does not have a COI for a specific article. In response, editors should refrain from further accusing that editor of having a conflict of interest. Feel free to repost at COIN if additional COI evidence comes to light that was not previously addressed.
    3. There is no COIN consensus. Here, Lowercase sigmabot III will automatically archive the thread when it is older than 14 days.
    • Once COIN declares that an editor has a COI for a specific article, COIN (or a variety of other noticeboards) may be used to determine whether an edit by a COIN-declared COI editor meets a requirement of the Wikipedia:Conflict of interest guideline.
    To begin a new discussion, enter the name of the relevant article below:

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    Category:Wikipedia conflict of interest edit requests is where COI editors have placed the {{edit COI}} template:
    Wikipedia conflict of interest edit requests
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    User:DN27ND

    Latest comment: 3 months ago7 comments4 people in discussion

    The article Nori Bunasawa seems to have started out as draft created by 110347nbtough in November 2020, who subsequently seemed to claim they were Bunasawa himself over on Wikimedia Commons here and here. The draft was then approved by DN27ND about a month later, even though the DN27ND account was only four days old and seems to have no experience as an WP:AFC reviewer. Moreover, DN27ND is an WP:SPA whose primary focus on English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons and Japanese Wikipedia has been creating/editing content about Bunasawa; in other words, it seems that the account was specifically and only created for that purpose.

    Since WP:COIEDIT states that someone with a conflict of interest "should not act as a reviewer of affected article(s) at AfC, new pages patrol or elsewhere", I asked DN27ND was about any connection they might have with Bunasawa at User talk:DN27ND#Nori Bunasawa and they replied they were just a fan who found Bunasawa interesting. However, after the article was nominated for deletion, DN27ND posted they and Bunsawa have a working relationship (as a reporter would on their subject) where I could reach out and obtain information. and that they sent Bunasawa a draft on the article as a courtesy, in order to have a working relationship with him for leads on additional sources and for information regarding judo sports figures of which there will be wiki articles published in the future.. When it was pointed out in the AfD by another user that one doesn't need to be being paid to have a conflict-of-interest per WP:EXTERNALREL and that even a WP:APPARENTCOI can possibly be problematic, DN27ND posted about how journalists typically have relationships with the subjects they write about and continued to argue there was no COI.

    There's more posted in the AfD, but it's probably better at this point for other members of Wikipedia community to weigh in and assess whether the "working relationship" DN27ND describes having with Nori Bunasawa is would be considered a conflict-of-interest per WP:COI. If the consensus is that it's not, then I'll happily WP:DROPTHESTICK regarding it; if, on the other hand, the consensus is that it's a COI, then DN27ND should be advised to keep this in mind moving forward when editing/creating content about Bunasawa or about any others they might have similar relationships with. -- Marchjuly (talk) 02:58, 27 July 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Wow, the draft approval process was supremely suspicious. Shouldn't be ok. At the very least we should redraftify the article. I'd even advocate for deletion, seeing as the text was produced under such suspect conditions.
    The defensiveness is also mildly concerning, although being fair people have defensive about even more trivial things. 104.232.119.107 (talk) 06:11, 27 July 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I wonder if a sockpuppet investigation may be in order re: one user approving the other's draft?
    For two SPAs on this unusual subject to appear within a month of each other back in 2020 seems odd, as does the fact that the article creator's edits pretty much fizzle out shortly after the article approver's edits begin.
    Looks to me as though the user does have a self-admitted COI.
    They admit that they sent the subject a copy of the article. That seems very close to an admission that they are the individual who originally drafted this article. Or are they really suggesting that they did this as part of the process that led to them approving another users work?
    They also admit to having some kind of ongoing relationship with the subject whereby they liaise with the subject on sources and the content of the article.
    The standard COI tag says that "a major contributor to this article seems to have a close connection with its subject". It would be entirely appropriate to add that tag to this article. Axad12 (talk) 12:21, 27 July 2024 (UTC)Reply
    If, as stated by the OP here, the user who drafted the article (110347nbtough) has admitted to being Bunasawa himself, and the SPA editing patterns of the drafter (110347nbtough) and approver (DN27ND) seem to dovetail in terms of timeframe, what is the relationship between DN27ND and Bunasawa? Seems it may be closer than writer and subject... Axad12 (talk) 13:30, 27 July 2024 (UTC)Reply
    User DN27ND has now admitted here [1] that they wrote the article (which was then placed on Wikipedia by the subject) and then approved their own article. Axad12 (talk) 21:19, 27 July 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I just p-blocked them from the AfD. They remain welcome to contribute here or elsewhere, but I do see two sets of red flags, most problematically MEAT. Star Mississippi 02:11, 29 July 2024 (UTC)Reply
    The result of the AfD was delete [2].
    For the sake of completeness, related sockpuppet investigation here [3]. Axad12 (talk) 18:49, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Laureen Oliver

    Latest comment: 3 months ago4 comments2 people in discussion

    Editor added unsourced statements which were not neutral in tone - Oliver's accomplishments were highly recognized across the country among all third parties - in June last year. I reverted and posted on the editor's Talk page about CoI, given the edit contents and the username. Editor edited the article again in March this year, and I asked them directly about CoI. Haven't had a response to either post. Editor has now edited the article again - diff - so bringing it here. Tacyarg (talk) 03:29, 31 July 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Agreed. The material being added seems to bear a close resemblance to material [4] previously added by an SPA IP [5] back in 2015 (not the first SPA IP to have edited this article). Also concerning, the almost complete lack of sources in this article, first flagged as long ago as 2011.
    Presumably the new user will be blocked for the username violation (at least). If they return with a policy compliant username they would be better off declaring a COI on their user page and suggesting sources for the existing material on the article talk page, rather than edit warring over the inclusion of further unsourced text. Some of the claims in the article ("was fundamentally responsible for" / "is widely recognised for") are presumably relatively straightforward to source if correct. Axad12 (talk) 04:27, 31 July 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Hmm, yes. Only one good source in article (the other is not independent). I've searched and can't find more. Wondering about tagging for notability, but will leave it to those more familiar with notability of US politicians. Tacyarg (talk) 13:58, 31 July 2024 (UTC)Reply
    For those interested, AfD here [6]. Axad12 (talk) 11:16, 13 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    idaho freedom caucus

    Latest comment: 3 months ago21 comments6 people in discussion

    Urgent: Violation of Wikipedia's Paid-Contributor and Conflict of Interest Policies by User: Nash990

    Dear Wikipedia Administrators,

    I am reaching out to report a serious concern regarding user Nash990, who appears to be in violation of Wikipedia's Conflict of Interest and Paid-Contribution Disclosure policies. Evidence suggests that this user has been hired by a political activist to manipulate the content on the "Idaho Freedom Caucus" page, potentially compromising the neutrality and integrity of the encyclopedia.

    Such actions not only undermine the trustworthiness of Wikipedia but also directly contravene the guidelines designed to uphold editorial integrity.

    Given the potential implications of these violations, I urge a prompt review and appropriate action to address this issue and uphold Wikipedia's standards.

    Thank you for your commitment to maintaining the accuracy and neutrality of Wikipedia.InfoScribe247 (talk) 16:32, 2 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    I see that your own account name started off as "Idahofreedom", which suggests the possibility of a conflict of interest of your own. I realize that doesn't mean you do have one, or that your complaint here isn't legitimate. Largoplazo (talk) 16:53, 2 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Poor name choice/rectified. InfoScribe247 (talk) 19:16, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Well... you also have a (possibly financial) conflict of interest with Idaho Freedom Caucus that you haven't disclosed. Your "side" isn't inherently right or wrong. C F A 💬 17:54, 3 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    How'd you come to that conclusion? InfoScribe247 (talk) 19:17, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    ... Your previous username. C F A 💬 19:26, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Maybe jumping to conlcusions based on a username is not good practice, lol. So, you just threw out an accusation with zero evidence? InfoScribe247 (talk) 16:02, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Well, my evidence is your username. And in my opinion that is very solid evidence. You are also a single-purpose account and with edit summaries like Corrected hostile edits, I would be very, very surprised if you did not have a conflict of interest. C F A 💬 16:09, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    User:Integrity208 also used the edit summary "Corrected hostile edits", which, along with the possible coincidence but possibly not of the user names starting with "I" and ending in three digits, leads me to entertain the possibility that they're the same person as InfoScribe247. Largoplazo (talk) 16:49, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Lol 184.155.201.47 (talk) 16:56, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Largoplazo, I had literally just arrived at the same conclusion and was about to post the same comment. There is also, of course, the fact that Integrity208 seems to have the same editing agenda as InfoScribe247.
    Meanwhile, the laughing IP address above has made several edits to the same page.
    I agree with you that there are plausible concerns about sock puppetry here.
    It seems that there is some off-wiki dispute which is being manifested on the Wikipedia article. I must admit I'm none the wiser on who is right or wrong (in terms of the factual material in the edits).
    Since the article is apparently only borderline notable I have to wonder if it would be better if it was just deleted, after which the warring elements can take their dispute elsewhere. Axad12 (talk) 17:11, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I filed an SPI at Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Integrity208. I'm considering taking the article to AfD because most coverage is routine and not significant. C F A 💬 17:12, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    you guys have wives or...? InfoScribe247 (talk) 17:19, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Oh my god: You're JD Vance! Largoplazo (talk) 18:12, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    CFA, well done re: the SPI.
    Please do take it to AfD.
    The alternative would presumably be to take the various warring editors to ANI and try to get them blocked for WP:BATTLEGROUND. That may actually be the quickest way to get this sorted, and then page protection if they return via block evasion.
    Infoscribe, it has to be said, is doing himself no favours with recent comments, plus previous groundless aspersions of UPE, plus edit warring, possible sockpuppetry, etc. Axad12 (talk) 17:23, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    AfD is probably the right place, not seeing the sort of coverage I would expect from a notable topic... Probably best covered at Political party strength in Idaho because thats what all the coverage is primarily about. Horse Eye's Back (talk) 17:36, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Nash990 was paid by a political activist with a massive conflict of interest to edit the Idaho Freedom Caucus page. I was not. InfoScribe247 (talk) 19:19, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    How'd you come to that conclusion? C F A 💬 19:26, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I know the guy who hired Nash990 to sabotage the page, he readily admfitted it and I have the screenshot. InfoScribe247 (talk) 16:03, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    ... which implies you have a COI. How else would you "know the guy"? C F A 💬 16:11, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Infoscribe247, Integrity208 and IP address all now blocked as sockpuppets. SPI here [7].
    AfD for Idaho Freedom Caucus here. [8]. Axad12 (talk) 08:05, 10 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    2024 Sri Lankan presidential election

    Latest comment: 2 months ago24 comments5 people in discussion

    This user seems to be connected to one of the minor candidates in the race, Oshala Herath. Account was created in 2009. He doesn't do much except make edits to the article to add more information about himself and put more emphasis onto his candidacy. Nevertheless, this would be a violation of WP:ADVOCACY. Not Wlwtn (talk) 08:22, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Certainly seems to be some form of COI there.
    However, with regard to the difference between (a) "seems to be connected to one of the minor candidates" and (b) "he doesn't do much except [...] add[ing] information about himself", please take note of WP:OUTING. Axad12 (talk) 09:23, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I am afraid, when candidate's name is Oshala Herath and the username in question is Oshalah, I don't think it is much of an outing to be honest. Chanaka L (talk) 10:37, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    It's hardly unknown for individuals with a COI related to a subject to use usernames related to the subject in some way. Even when usernames exactly replicate those of a subject it may be an attempt at impersonation. Hence "seems to be connected to" was sufficient. Ultimately, whether the end user is the subject, or just someone with a close connection to the subject, is irrelevant in terms of what action will end up being taken. The issue is the effect of the edits and whether there is a plausible COI, not the exact identity of the user. Axad12 (talk) 10:47, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    In regards to personal information, the most he has added is his age and past records. Not Wlwtn (talk) 11:16, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    My post above was a request that you stop claiming that the editor is the subject, not a request for the personal information that the editor has posted about the subject. Axad12 (talk) 11:26, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    The COI user continues to edit the 2024 election page and there seems to be some back and forth editing with another editor on whether Herath's photo should be in the info box or not.
    Given that he's failed to respond to COI notes on his talk page, or to make any comment here, might some action be taken to prevent further editing?
    Not sure if this would best be achieved by blocking the account or by protecting the pages concerned. Any thoughts?
    (The election is due to take place on 21st Sept, so it's probably fair to say that the disruption will continue for some time unless it is prevented.) Axad12 (talk) 14:36, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I guess taking some action would be best. Perhaps we could prevent the account from making edits to the article until September 21st. Or something else if that might be too drastic. Not Wlwtn (talk) 15:51, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I've asked the user at their talk page to stop editing the pages concerned until they have responded to the conflict of interest concerns. If that doesn't do any good then it's possible this may have to end up at WP:ANI unless an administrator intervenes beforehand. Alternatively WP:RPPI is the place for page protection. Axad12 (talk) 16:02, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Ok, thanks. Not Wlwtn (talk) 16:09, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    There are no minor and major candidates in a elections race, specially a presidential election. there may be rich and poor but not minor and major. the results will define that. Every candidate should have equal rights to and presence any forum. Oshala Herath equally qualified as any other candiate who is being nominated. Oshalah (talk) 18:35, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Could you please clarify the nature of any connection you may have to Oshala Herath? Axad12 (talk) 18:37, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    An update: user Oshalah was blocked for username violation, then changed username to CitizenLK and declared a COI as a volunteer working for the candidate. The user's userpage [9] appears to me to be in violation of policy as it is being used to host material that had previously been deleted as "unambiguous advertising" when the article for Oshala Herath was previously deleted.
    Prior to the renaming of the account the user had mentioned on his talk page the possibility of paying somebody to write and install an article on Oshala Herath (he actually asked me to do it, but I of course declined!).
    Apparently not coincidental to this, yesterday a new SPA, user:Janakaraja appeared, immediately created a draft article for Oshala Herath [10], denied being a sockpuppet here [11] in language appearing to closely resemble ChatGPT or similar, and began directly editing the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election article. Oshalah/CitizenLK has also continued to edit the article, despite having promised not to do so on at least one occasion, and has added a further photo of Herath to the article after uploading it to Commons as "own work".
    While user Oshalah has declared that he is a volunteer working for Oshala Herath in the 2024 election, I would note that he was using this username 15 year ago.
    Can I suggest that some form of action is taken in relation to what is clearly COI editing and plausibly also UPE.
    Copying in user:331dot who authorised the username change. Axad12 (talk) 19:02, 10 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I highly doubt that user Oshalah creating an account in 2009 with that exact username was a coincidence. Regardless, I do hope some action is taken against this user, this is starting to become quite a nuisance. Not Wlwtn (talk) 19:42, 10 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Looking at your comments it appears that you are being nuisance. When you stated discriminating candidates saying major and minor, it was obvious you are the one being bias. I feel you have a COI towards some candidate who is thrented by Oshala entering the elections. CitizenLK (talk) 01:12, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I have been editing Wikipedia for 2 years now and I can confidently say that I am not working for any of the presidential candidates. Also, Wikipedia is not a place for personal attacks. Not Wlwtn (talk) 03:58, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    May be you are one of those people who work for hourly payments on places like fiverr.. That could be the reason your work is random for either to make entry or demote others
    My case I have clearly declared my COI. NOW I am very cautious about my entries which only carry information and relevant references that anyone can verify. Even the images copyright have been relased by the owner as per wikipedia norms.
    What I wrote on my page is so that anyone intrested can easily grab and verify the relevent information so they could do their own entry. First of all the person I support may be minor according to your discrimination but he is not rich like the people who may be paying to hound on him. Guidelines on Wikipedia is for a purpose that is to make sure articles are not bias in nature or advertising. So I make sure that interest is safeguarded in my entries. First find a single entry I have done which is false and then point finger.. CitizenLK (talk) 05:05, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    CitizenLK, I would suggest that you do as follows:
    Delete the promotional material from your userpage. Userpages should not be employed to host that sort of material.
    Instruct your associate Janakaraja to declare their conflict of interest on their own userpage, as you have correctly done yourself, and to stop using ChatGPT (or similar).
    Tread very carefully in terms of editing the election page (which I note is an article that you promised to stop editing on your talk page 3 days ago, but subsequently returned to editing).
    Also, stop making allegations that anyone is a paid editor.
    I don't believe that you are in a position to throw stones in relation to any COI that others may have - but throwing stones is contrary to Wikipedia policy in any case.
    The broader issue in this thread is not in relation to whether information is correct, but whether it has been added with promotional intent by individuals with a conflict of interest.
    You have already been blocked once. If you continue to refuse to abide by Wikipedia policy it would be a very simple matter for you to be blocked again. Axad12 (talk) 05:27, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    @CitizenLK, Saying "you are one of those people who work for hourly payments on places like fiverr" is clearly a personal attack. Please stop making such claims immediately! You declared your COI after a several editors coerce you to reveal the truth. It is only your behaviour is questionable here. Chanaka L (talk) 05:28, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I'd assume that the user's recent return to this thread is an attempt to deflect interest away from the coincidence between the facts that...
    (a) his 2009 edits under previous username Oshalah were all on the article for the Institute of Technical Studies (e.g. [12])
    and...
    (b) the Oshala Herath draft article [13] created by user Janakaraja records that Oshala Herath "worked as a consultant at the Institute of Technological Studies from 2009 to 2012". Axad12 (talk) 10:42, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Interesting indeed. There are far too many coincidences for them to just be "coincidences" at this point. Not Wlwtn (talk) 12:59, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Also, with regard to the ChatGPT issue, Janakaraja's responses here [14] and here [15] on the SPI discussion both score 100% AI generated when put through https://gptzero.me. Axad12 (talk) 15:21, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Hello,
    User Janakaraja is not my associate. So I am not in a position to instruct him. You all have to deal with him separately. Even though I edited the Election page it is not with promotional meterial. I have done so to update the image and sort the copyright issue ONLY. No more details to be added to that page as long as the basic information is kept without being deleted. If someone falsely accuse me I will have reasonable doubt as to why, and that is not throwing stones. I have no intension to purposely violate guidelines or community standars of Wikipedia. I am new and I am learning on the go. I apologize for any inconvenience I had caused any other user. I didn't intentional make any disruptive editing. It happend I didn't knew how to do. I may still make mistakes as I am still learning. I apologize for it in advance. Thank you.. And I will edit my user page as you have suggested. CitizenLK (talk) 17:01, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    The result of the sockpuppet investigation was Janakaraja blocked "for obvious undisclosed paid editing" [16]. Axad12 (talk) 11:06, 15 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Visa requirements for Dominica citizens

    Latest comment: 3 months ago5 comments4 people in discussion

    User with the username which clearly suggests a link to a new company dealing with passport and immigration issues, trying to plant links for their company website. Single purpose account. Twofortnights (talk) 11:21, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Given that their edit says "the Dominican passport [is] one of the top 100 in the world [...] according to the RIF Trust Passport Index", I wonder if we should anticipate another 99 similar spammy edits? Axad12 (talk) 11:39, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Just a brief note to say that when posting a new topic here you should always notify the user on their talk page using the template shown in red at the top of the noticeboard. I have done this for you on this occasion. Axad12 (talk) 15:49, 4 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    This should be at WP:UAA for a simple username/ spam block. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 18:18, 8 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Indef blocked at UAA. -- Alexf(talk) 18:56, 8 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi

    Latest comment: 3 months ago12 comments4 people in discussion

    Would be grateful if someone could have a look at this one. Editor twice added unsourced information to the BLP Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, and removed references. I reverted and asked them not to do this. They said all changes are confirmed and requested by Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi himself. I posted to their Talk page about conflict of interest. They said no connection, this is just a required update due to recent developments. I responded that that does not fit with their earlier comment. They have replied in the sense that they can be found on his website so they are requested by himself if they were implemented there. They have added back the changes to the article, with some references, albeit not strong - one is an article by Azzopardi, another is a Google search, and some information is still unsourced. Tacyarg (talk) 17:33, 5 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    I should have made it clear that two of the three responses on the user's Talk page are from an IP editor, comments 1 and 3 quoted above; I think this is the same person, just not logged in. Tacyarg (talk) 17:39, 5 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Well, the "in the sense" response is patent nonsense. DoubleCross (‡) 17:43, 5 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    If an SPA says that the edits were "confirmed and requested by [the subject] himself" then, as far as I'm concerned, that confirms the COI.
    If he later tries to row back from that position... too late, cat's out of the bag. Axad12 (talk) 17:53, 5 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Further examination shows that the article was originally written by a now-blocked user called ZrinzoAzzopardi, so I've added a COI tag to the top of the article.
    Significant parts of the article seem to be in need of sourcing or removal. Axad12 (talk) 18:07, 5 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    User Salmal30 has also uploaded a photo of the subject at Commons, stating it is "own work" [17]. Not sure how that squares with the protestations of "no connection" and "no conflict of interest" but perhaps Salmal30 could clarify for us? Axad12 (talk) 18:22, 5 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Something odd about those IP addresses. One relates to Utrecht in the Netherlands, the other to Sliema in Malta, but the edits are less than an hour apart. So, two different individuals apparently speaking on behalf of the account holder? Shared account? Axad12 (talk) 18:44, 5 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Thanks, I didn't spot either the username of the original creator, or the "own work" tag on the image. Glad to have the "nonsense" confirmed, I was doubting myself. Tacyarg (talk) 18:55, 5 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I've just been googling recent news stories in relation to the subject, looking for possible sources for the article and trying to establish to what extent the user's reverted edits were written from a neutral point of view.
    The subject seems to have encountered a lot of negative press coverage around Feb/Mar this year in what appears to have been a major story in Maltese politics. The events in question weren’t mentioned in the user’s substantial edits, even though those edits were intended as an update on recent developments. I was left with the impression that although the edits were essentially factual, the omission indicated that they were not neutral.
    Seems to me that this is a promotional only account and there are plausible concerns in relation to WP:UPE. Axad12 (talk) 04:56, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I have replied to your post on the article talk page, explaining why a {{CoI}} tag is not justified. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 18:12, 8 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Noted.
    Any thoughts on any possible action to be taken against the recent SPA? Axad12 (talk) 18:28, 8 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    They haven't edited for three days; so nothing, unless that changes. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 20:30, 8 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Jake Braun

    Latest comment: 3 months ago3 comments3 people in discussion

    This article was tagged with Wikipedia:Autobiography because of extensive edits by the subject. The subject attempted to remove the tag and had their account blocked indefinitely. See the COI noticeboard discussion at Cambridge Global and Jake Braun and the user discussion at User_talk:Spartaneditor. An IP address user has again attempted to remove the tag.

    — Preceding unsigned comment added by 100.15.211.66 (talk) 00:52, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    (Copied from talk page as a malformed SPE request. I take no position on the validity of the complaint or how to resolve it.) —Jéské Couriano v^_^v threads critiques 19:23, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    The previous situation was 4 years ago, so it's perhaps difficult to demonstrate a link. However, there seems to be a history of COI editing at the page since then by various red line SPAs. It seems odd for an IP address to add some biographical info and then remove the autobiography tag as their first 2 edits.
    I've reverted the edits, replaced the tag and added a COI notice on the IP's talk page.
    If they persist maybe go to WP:RPPI and request page protection. Axad12 (talk) 20:20, 6 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Latest comment: 3 months ago5 comments3 people in discussion
    Articles
    Editor
    Related discussion

    Rvsingh12, from their very first edits, has extensively edited articles related to the Khanna family/clan, and appears to have access to materials (especially images [18]) that indicate a relationship to members of the family.

    Rvsingh12 has indicated they are concerned with their privacy. Is there a private means that they could use to explain their relation further, if necessary?

    Regardless of the outcome here, the articles need major cleanup to meet content policies and guidelines. I've held off on looking closely and tagging them, but my impression is that at a minimum all the BLPs need trimming and removal of poor references. --Hipal (talk) 19:14, 7 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    So, if I understand correctly from the talk page discussion, the user claims no conflict of interest and states that his independent wealth allows him to pursue interests such as... writing Wikipedia articles about many related individuals to whom he personally has no relation?
    Normally it works the other way, i.e. an individual writes articles about lots of people and this provides the individual with independent wealth.
    Are we sure we have this the right way around?
    Also, I'm not sure why someone would need to clarify their situation in great detail in private if they had no connection whatsoever to the individuals in question. And if they had no COI, why would they be so against this being referred to COIN?
    Maybe we'll get some clarity if we consider the edits themselves. I've not looked at the articles. In your opinion are they written from a neutral point of view or do they appear promotional? Axad12 (talk) 19:40, 7 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    The articles are highly promotional, Navin Khanna (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) especially so. As I said, regardless of the outcome here, the articles need major cleanup. --Hipal (talk) 20:27, 7 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Are the subjects actually notable? If not, AfD would avoid the need for laborious cleanup.
    What this all resembles, of course, is a situation where there is a family historian who has created lot of articles for past and present members of his/her family. In those situations the likelihood is that the individual is either related to the family or is someone who is being paid by the family.
    Obviously it is possible that neither of those situations are applicable here, but if the articles are highly promotional then the likelihood of that being the case would appear very low indeed.
    Please proceed carefully here as we do not want there to be any WP:OUTING. Axad12 (talk) 20:42, 7 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Tagged Navin Khanna for AfD as clearly not notable. Haven't looked at the others yet. C F A 💬 03:16, 11 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Georgina Long

    Latest comment: 3 months ago3 comments3 people in discussion

    This editor says they are a member of Long's family. The CoI policy has been discussed with them on their Talk page and on the article's Talk page; they have responded but are continuing to edit the article. Tacyarg (talk) 20:31, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    I've reverted the recent edits, removed some material that was previous declined to be included in a 2021 edit request, and removed the exceptionally long and promotional list of awards. It seems there has been a very long and inglorious history of blatant COI editing on this article (including promo and repeated copyvio) dating back 4 years and involving at least 4 different red line WP:SPAs (one of whom was blocked from editing).
    I think at this point it would be expedient for user:Wise owl 2 to clarify their connection to user:Sitalia1990, who has also recently edited this article with an apparently similar agenda. Axad12 (talk) 21:25, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Many thanks axad12. Learning the ropes in the Wikipedia edit space. Thanks again for informing me about how to declare a conflict and am working my way through the process. After reviewing chat page, sitalia1990 has presented herself as A connected person to Long. Defining my attempt to fill knowledge gaps as an agenda, perhaps I am confused about Wikipedia being a site for comprehensive verifiable information about a subject. Wise owl 2 (talk) 22:27, 9 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    User:Mammadli99

    Latest comment: 2 months ago3 comments2 people in discussion

    The user Mammadli99 is engaged in undisclosed paid editing. It should be noted that, as a result of research conducted on azwiki, it has been revealed that this user is a puppet account of User:Memoli13, who is globally blocked due to undisclosed paid editing, and Mammadli99 is also blocked locally. All of the user Mammadli99's edits are related to articles that were previously targeted by globally blocked users engaged in undisclosed paid editing. He has worked on 3 articles:

    1. Zaur Darabzada – This article was deleted on azwiki in 2020. "MrTaghizade" applied for the restoration of this article, which was not restored. Shortly after, the article was recreated on enwiki under the name "Zaur Darabzadeh" by MrTaghizade and a second request for restoration was made on azwiki, which was also not accepted. Later, "User:Onyeddi," who would be globally blocked due to undisclosed paid editing later, applied for restoration again but it was not accepted. Recently, the article has been recreated again by Mammadli99 with another name ("Zaur Darabzada") on enwiki. The style of the article also indicates it was created for promotional purposes. The account Memoli13, also created this article on Hungarian and Ukrainian (for twice: deleted once, then recreated) Wikipedia.
    2. Mehrali Gasimov – This article was also created through paid editing in multiple languages. It was created on enwiki by User:KhosrovAO, who is one of the accounts of Elshadiman, who is globally blocked due to undisclosed paid editing, then deleted, and later recreated in other 8 language sections (3 of these were deleted) by User:Mirola9, another confirmed and blocked sockpuppet of the same globally blocked user. Recently, this article was created on enwiki by Mammadli99. And the account "Memoli13" created this article on Macedonian Wikipedia (deleted), and edited it in Hungarian, Turkish, and Ukrainian Wikipedia.
    3. Rauf (Kiglsey) – Created on enviki and later moved to draft status. This article was also created on Russian and Crimean Tatar Wikipedia, but it was deleted.
    4. And also, Mammadli99 uploaded the photo of Farhad Garashov, whose article also has been target of paid ediiting by Elsahdiman's accounts in several language sections.

    Besides these articles, the user's contributions have been limited to minor edits. All of these articles have been created through paid editing before in multiple language sections and are linked to users who have been globally blocked due to UPE. This account might be used to recreate these articles after the other users being blocked. Or it is just a account of another user who also have interests with these articles. It should be noted that the user's engagement in paid editing was previously suspected by the enwiki community, and they had been warned. Sura Shukurlu (talk) 16:59, 10 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Rosguill, OwenX, could you please take a look? --Sura Shukurlu (talk) 07:59, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Even without thoroughly investigating the cross-wiki issues, the lack of communication in response to prior COI concerns (or for that matter, anything at all really) is enough to justify a block at this time.   Done signed, Rosguill talk 20:15, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Jim Gamble

    Latest comment: 3 months ago7 comments2 people in discussion

    Not entirely sure what's going on here, and could use others' eyes. IP editor has several times over the last couple of years added content to Jim Gamble which is poorly-sourced - search results, external links in the body of the article, primary sources, YouTube. Most recent edit today calls Gamble by his first name a couple of times and has removed CoI template. I asked the editor in October whether they have a COI, but didn't get an answer. Not sure whether this is someone with a CoI, or an uninvolved editor struggling to understand what sources are reliable. Tacyarg (talk) 10:03, 12 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Hi Tacyarg. I've reverted the recent edit (including replacing the templates) and requested long-term page protection against editing by IP addresses (here [19]).
    Looks like there is a very large amount of self-serving promo fluff to be removed. Will you do the honours or shall I? Axad12 (talk) 12:00, 12 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I've removed the majority of the 2nd half of the article. It mostly consisted of nonsense such as (a) an extended self-justificatory quote, (b) nonsense like why he thought he didn't get a job, (c) the fact that he had joined a political party, and (d) an excuse to link to imdb. Axad12 (talk) 12:32, 12 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    COI editing on this page seems to have had a long history, via various SPAs (or similar) working on the article. In more recent times COI editing in 2020 and 2022 originated from user:Hannahpaul42 who was blocked in Sept 22 for being a promo only account. Similar promo edits followed in Nov 22. From May 2023 onwards SPA/promo/COI editing has occurred via the IP address mentioned above, who has also spammed images of Jim Gamble (and wikilinks) onto the articles of various better known individuals, e.g. [20], [21], [22], [23] and [24] Axad12 (talk) 13:13, 12 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    One of the spammed images was previously added to the Jim Gamble article by the Hannahpaul42 account (here [25]), so I think we can plausibly assume block evasion. There is also off-wiki evidence suggesting some form of link between the blocked account and the subject. Axad12 (talk) 13:48, 12 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    12 months "pending changes protection" now applied following RPPI request, diff here [26].
    That ought to resolve the issue. Axad12 (talk) 14:37, 12 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Many thanks, Axad12. That looks much better. Tacyarg (talk) 17:37, 12 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Robert S. Tucker

    Latest comment: 2 months ago6 comments4 people in discussion

    A reporter at Crain's New York Business posted on X today that the Wikipedia page for Robert S. Tucker, the newly appointed Commissioner of the FDNY, was "significantly expanded a few years ago by an IP address affiliated with his company, T&M Resources." Photo evidence is provided in this tweet: https://x.com/nick_garber/status/1823002404289142909

    The company article probably fails GNG as well.BubbaJoe123456 (talk) 11:50, 13 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    IP has not edited since January 2021. The article has been heavily edited since then. A COI notice was left on the IP's talk page... yesterday. What do you expect to achieve here? Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 15:02, 13 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Flagging it here got eyes on the article, which resulted in a lot of the recent cleanup (including mine), so worth doing. IP COI notice probably won't do any good. BubbaJoe123456 (talk) 17:15, 13 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Since I noted the apparent COI, about a dozen edits have been made to the page that have made it more neutral, and, most critically, a COI tag was added. (Additionally, your edits to the T&M Protection Resources page were helpful.) If I did not follow proper COI reporting protocol, please let me know how I should escalate next time. I'm always trying to improve and learn from the community. Zxm92 (talk) 20:25, 13 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Yes, at the time you made your original post about 90% of the article text had been added by just 4 single purpose accounts devoted solely to editing that article (and perhaps also editing the article for T&M, I forget). That presumably explains why the content was as it was. Axad12 (talk) 20:36, 13 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    I'll remind people that this noticeboard is for dealing with editor related issues; as the page header says: "This page should only be used when ordinary talk page discussion has been attempted and failed to resolve the issue, such as when an editor has repeatedly added problematic material over an extended period." Other avenues exist for requesting assistance with article cleanup. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 19:45, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Committee for a Workers' International (2019)

    Latest comment: 2 months ago4 comments2 people in discussion

    An individual is removing sourced information (information sourced to the organisation the article is about) and has asserted that he is a member of the organisation (" I am a member of the International,")][27] and said in the same edit note: "Like I said before it isn't your International and you have free to say anything you want about us but not on our personal page." His edit note for an earlier edit asserted " stop making our International look like we're an awful association"[28] Hence, a classic example of Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest#COI_editing and WP:OWN . Wellington Bay (talk) 23:44, 13 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    It seems the Ministry of Truth is still hard at work on this article [29]. Clearly they should have declared a COI on their user page and should only be suggesting edits on the article talk page rather than directly editing the article. Still, at least they seem to have stopped alleging that those reverting them are members of a rival Trotskyist organisation. Axad12 (talk) 13:42, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Now raised at ANI by the original poster, here [30]. Axad12 (talk) 15:12, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Result: User blocked indefinitely for disruptive editing, COI, copyright violation and abuse of editing privileges. Article up for deletion here [31] Axad12 (talk) 05:24, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    User:Exerciser87

    Latest comment: 2 months ago16 comments2 people in discussion

    I believe that user:Exerciser87 is Khashayar Farzam or at least has some close connection with him. The users on contributions have been to the page Khashayar Farzam or Khashayar Farzam to lists. Examples: Ontario Tech University (Special:Permalink/1216287003), Pickering High School, Ajax (Special:Permalink/1190314500), Ajax, Ontario, (Special:Permalink/1186661997) and others that you can see at Special:Contributions/Exerciser87. He also updates the article Khashayar Farzam every time a new article gets written about him resulting in each claim having a rediculous amount of citations (which I recently fixed but you can see the old version here). The article Khashayar Farzam was nominated to be deleted at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Khashayar Farzam and multiple sockpuppet accounts were used to vote which could also be user:Exerciser87. CursedWithTheAbilityToDoTheMath (talk) 07:32, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Edit: User:Marcusamour seems to be apart of this problem as well. CursedWithTheAbilityToDoTheMath (talk) 03:48, 15 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    If this went back to AfD, would you anticipate the result being the same? (i.e. the decision to delete, not the sockpuppetry). Axad12 (talk) 08:39, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I don't know enough about the policies for BLP and notability requirements to make any strong opinions, but based on what I have read about WP:GNG, I would think the result would be different just because there has been more coverage on Khashayar Farzam since the original AfD happened in 2017. But again, I'm not super knowledgeable on the notability guidelines or the AfD process. CursedWithTheAbilityToDoTheMath (talk) 13:02, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Yes, I'm in the same boat but those were also my own concerns.
    It seems exceptionally likely that the account you point to is an extension of the sockpuppetry previously investigated in 2017 here [32]. If so, the user is evading a block. Axad12 (talk) 13:24, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    how would one go about bringing this to the attention of those who could deal with that? CursedWithTheAbilityToDoTheMath (talk) 13:45, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    The issue you've raised here ought to be spotted by an administrator. If not, WP:BLOCKEVASION suggests that pages created by users evading a block are eligible for speedy deletion under criterion G5 - so that may perhaps be another way to handle the situation. The 7 year remove may complicate matters but it seems pretty obvious that the current activity originates either from the same individual or somebody very closely associated with them.
    I'm not sure if setting up another WP:SPI would do any good, given the 7 year remove.
    Some input from others would be appreciated. Axad12 (talk) 15:39, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Thank you for your help, do you know if there is a place I could bring this to the attention of an admin? I'm very new to this and I've never had to do this kind of thing before so I dont really know where to start. CursedWithTheAbilityToDoTheMath (talk) 15:43, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I think for the time being you are probably in the right place. This kind of small-time COI violation doesn't tend to get raised at WP:ANI. Hopefully we will get some further input from others over the next few days. Axad12 (talk) 15:50, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Regarding the other issues (the evading block) would it be appropriate to bring it up at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard? CursedWithTheAbilityToDoTheMath (talk) 15:54, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I would leave it here for a while. The situation isn't urgent. Let's see what happens. Axad12 (talk) 15:56, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Sounds good! CursedWithTheAbilityToDoTheMath (talk) 15:56, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    In the meantime I have requested speedy deletion under WP:G5. Axad12 (talk) 18:21, 14 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Following on from the confirmed sockpuppetry that occurred in relation to this subject back in 2017, it seems to me that recent edits to this article (re-adding previously deleted citation overkill) by SPA user:Marcusamour are indicative of further sockpuppetry. Similarly, the previous addition of citations by another SPA, user:California767676. These users would seem to be linked to the 2023 creator of the article user:Exerciser87, who was themselves responsible for significant citation overkill.
    The subject of this article is clearly obscure, that there would be 3 completely separate SPA users all intent on citation overkill does not seem plausible.
    I wonder if someone with familiarity with the SPI process might raise this for investigation? Axad12 (talk) 04:16, 15 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I'm not familiar with it myself but I do think it's important to note that User:Marcusamour has admitted to having multiple accounts on their talk page. CursedWithTheAbilityToDoTheMath (talk) 04:20, 15 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Sockpuppet investigation here [33] Axad12 (talk) 11:16, 15 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Alpha Motor Corporation

    Latest comment: 2 months ago9 comments5 people in discussion

    Submitting this after being directed over here from folks at WP:RPPI. I have a suspicion that these three editors plus the IP editor are probably either sockpuppets of the same editor or are all individuals being paid by or are affiliated with the subject company Alpha Motor Corporation. The registered users sprung about around the same time between April and July of this year and the majority of their edits to the article have been promotional in tone or have inserted external links throughout the article, while using very similar edit summaries about removing outdated information as if they have some inside knowledge of the company. Waddles 🗩 🖉 19:06, 15 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    I have p-blocked T.simons0623 from the Alpha Motor Corporation article as an interim step. Unfortunately my on Wiki time is too limited to do a deep dive here. Star Mississippi 15:53, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    User: WaddlesJP13

    The user repeatedly is deleting new contributions to the article Alpha Motor Corporation, essentially preventing other users to contribute to Wikipedia articles, despite providing factual citations. The user WaddlesJP13 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) is accusing multiple contributors for "removing outdated information as if they have some inside knowledge of the company," (quoted from the user's submission for conflict of interest) when the new edits were properly sourced with third party links for citation. The user also falsely accused other contributions for being "possible paid editing," (quoted from [edit summary]) preventing new contributions and corrections based on a personal hunch without reason. The user ignored a warning and continued to deleted other contributors' edits to largely maintain its own article entry made 2 years ago, leaving the article with out-dated and false statements without sources. The user stated on its [talk:WaddlesJP13], "I'd rather leave it as a encyclopedic albeit outdated article with a hatnote stating so until an experienced editor comes by and updates it rather than let you all effectively turn it into a billboard," showing an agenda to prevent Wikipedia from welcoming newcomers and diverse range of contributions, despite the information being factual and correctly cited.

    The user Catfurball (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) has never made contributions to the article in question however, has left a warning message on the talk page of a contributor targeted by the forementioned user. Which alludes that the two user accounts are personally associated or even a sockpuppet, used to support one side of the view in a conflict. — Preceding unsigned comment added by T.simons0623 (talk • contribs)

    I see absolutely no evidence or indication that either WaddlesJP13 or Catfurball have any conflict of interest with this topic. On the other hand, you, T.simons0623, are a single purpose account who is edit warring to put clear promotional content into the article. Are you associated with Alpha Motor Corporation in some fashion? - MrOllie (talk) 01:32, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I would say that the submitted users' conflict of interest is in an agenda to prevent new contributors from making edits to its last entry from 2 years ago. Though I have made contributions with fact-checked and updated sources, they have been labelled as 'promotional' without any real reason. How is information that is publicly available and sourced from third party outlets not related to the subject of the article, Alpha Motor Corporation, promotional? I am not associated with Alpha Motor Corporation, I just did extensive research to provide ample information that is dispersed around online news outlets but, missing on the wikipedia page because, it hasn't been updated for years.
    I am a new account user, that should not define a SPA. Not everybody contributes to multiple articles 24/7. I am left to assume that you also have made a decision based on the 'experience' users' previous opinion without reviewing or verifying the viability of the new content. Wikipedia is supposed to source information from various users who are providing factual information from viable sources. Not keeping a closed door to newcomers. T.simons0623 (talk) 03:00, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    The 'real reason' is this: They are very obviously promotional. If everyone else comes to this conclusion, you should consider the simplest explanation: That your edits actually are promotional in tone. There is no conspiracy or 'agenda' to prevent new contributors from making edits. We welcome newcomers, but not to the detriment of a neutral encyclopedia. MrOllie (talk) 03:07, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    The "tone" is promotional?? Does Wikipedia's detriment of neutrality depend on subjective tones, rather than verifiable facts and sources? Help me to understand for example, would a whole section on public recognition/ awards be a no go, even if it's factual? But, sports teams list all of their wins and awards on the wikipedia page since, it's a part of the subject's history. In this case, what defines promotion and historic events? T.simons0623 (talk) 04:23, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    The promotional tone of those edits is not a subjective matter, it is clear to any non-conflicted user.
    T.simon0623, you say that there is no link between the recent SPAs who have been editing this article, and their edits are not promotional in intent. If so, please explain why the IP address that made this long and obviously promotional edit [34] resolves to Rancho Santa Margarita, just a stone’s throw from the company’s address in Irvine, Ca.
    Also, are we to believe that it is a matter of coincidence that large elements of that 13/8/24 IP edit duplicate large elements on your own recent edits, and earlier edits made by other SPA users Scrittura23 and GionParch?
    Evidently the conclusion to be drawn from the above is perfectly obvious, but it can be easily proven one way or the other via a sockpuppet investigation.
    Given the above, do you stand by the allegations you have made against non-conflicted users and your claims that you have no conflict of interest in relation to this company and that all of the above accounts represent separate users (who all presumably just happen to have an identical agenda)? Axad12 (talk) 04:51, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    For 2021 evidence of sockpuppetry, edit warring and COI editing in relation to this article see…
    SPI here [35]
    SPA blocked for sockpuppetry, where numerous unsigned talkpage comments [36] make identical allegations to those above re: editors preventing others from editing the page. [37]
    Other blocked SPA, interestingly, is user:Alphamotorcorporation.
    Further SPA edit warring user from 2021: user:WsK5132, account started editing 9 minutes after the accounts above were blocked.
    Further IP SPA [[38]], editing 2021-2023, who again made similar allegations and resolved to Irvine, Ca.
    Further IP SPA, editing 2021-2022, same allegations [39], resolves to Rancho Santa Margarita.
    What is the best way forward here, an SPI for the 2024 activity or some kind of WP:BOOMERANG sanction against user:T.simons0623? Axad12 (talk) 06:27, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Hi, would it be possible for somebody with familiarity of the SPI process to open an SPI for the 4 accounts listed at the head of this thread, ideally linked to the 2021 SPI here [40]? Many thanks. Axad12 (talk) 15:18, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    User: EtobicokeSpeedDemon and Pasha Patriki

    Latest comment: 2 months ago3 comments3 people in discussion

    Dear administrators! I would like to flag EtobicokeSpeedDemon as a potential single-purpose account. It seems that the user is solely focused on re-adding legal issues information to Pasha Patriki article. The information is negative in nature and violates the policies about adding information to articles about living persons. This information was first added by anonymous user and was removed by me, which was cited as correct removal in this Noticeboard (see Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard § User:HardTimez4000 and Pasha Patriki). On August 9, a new user EtobicokeSpeedDemon user emerged and added the same "Legal Issues" information. It is my understanding that the user has already been flagged as a potential COI or a single-purpose account, therefore in order to dissolve the appearance of single-purpose, user added some constructive information to the same article, although also the re-adding the Legal Issues section, citing a source that looks like a personal attack site rather than a credible source. On August 13, user re-added the same information yet again, using this as an explanation: "Undid vandalism and removal of relevant information. Pasha, please stop editing your page." - Seemingly referring to me as the subject of the article, which also shows a personal connection of some sort to the subject and/or the topic of what is being added.

    It is therefore my suspicion that EtobicokeSpeedDemon is related to the Legal Issues case that is being added, and is likely also the author of the attack site that is being cited. This would violate WP:COIBLP as well as several other guidelines about conflict of interest and posting information about living persons. I am also somewhat new to the community of Wikipedia editors so I welcome any feedback, but it is my understanding that at the very least Administrators should further investigate the posts by this user and consider removal of EtobicokeSpeedDemon as a single-purpose account. HardTimez4000 (talk) 14:31, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    The SPA is clearly WP:NOTHERE and hopefully will be blocked.
    Page protection requested here [41]. Axad12 (talk) 14:51, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I've given that editor a final warning. Let me know if they add the content again; if so, I will block them. Elli (talk | contribs) 16:17, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Gordon's School

    Latest comment: 2 months ago5 comments3 people in discussion

    This user has made edits to this school article since 2017. They have recently said that they work for the school. I have asked them to follow the CoI process and not edit the article directly, but they have done so since that request; those edits are factual but unsourced. Would be grateful for some eyes on the neutrality of the article. Thanks. Tacyarg (talk) 20:47, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    It looks to me as though this user has been editing the article since 2013, and that before that various SPAs and IP addresses were pursuing a similar agenda - essentially curating the article. Over 25% of the current text was installed by conflicted SPAs.
    Some of the current user's deletions suggest that their purpose in editing the article is not neutral.
    I've responded to the user's note on the article talk page, asking them to follow the COI edit request process in future.
    I'm not convinced of the neutrality of the current article but I don't have time to look into it in detail today. Would suggest a COI template in the short term? Axad12 (talk) 21:53, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Goodness, I hadn't realised it went back that far. That's dedication, of a sort. I've tagged the article and will have a more thorough look through it, though probably not until next week. Thanks. Tacyarg (talk) 22:16, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Having had the opportunity to look into this further it's surprising just how little there is online about this school.
    The more recent activity of SPA user Lottiegordons seems to be centred around padding out the Notable Students section, primarily with individuals where no sourcing exists, or where the only sourcing is non-independent (i.e. it derives from the school's own website).
    The effect (not necessarily the intention) appears to be to de-emphasise the fact that one of the notable former students currently listed in the article was a spree killer.
    The user in question has, however, previously tried to remove any mention of that former pupil, here [42].
    Similarly here [43] the same user removed properly sourced material in relation to a controversy in relation to fees and also re: some very serious criminal charges which resulted in a custodial sentence for one of the teachers.
    There seems to be a history of users (some of whom are SPAs) removing properly sourced adverse material about the school, e.g. [44], [45], [46], [47], [48], [49].
    To be honest, it seems doubtful that the current sourcing in relation the spree killer conforms with WP:RS. The info used to be (presumably) reliably sourced to The Times, apparently to an article which no longer exists. A quick Google search suggests that sources conforming with WP:RS could be easily located. Axad12 (talk) 08:48, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    2024 2.147.7.203 (talk) 13:46, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    DingDongHey and livehdtv.net

    Latest comment: 2 months ago1 comment1 person in discussion

    The only activity of DingDongHey (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) has been to add links to the website livehdtv.net, which provides live broadcast streams, to articles of various broadcast channels. This editing to be seems likely to me to be promotional in nature. The website for livehdtv.net looks unprofessional which makes me suspicious. I am unsure what the legality of hosting live broadcast streams like this is and I am concerned that they may be copyright infringement. Hemiauchenia (talk) 05:30, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    User:HardTimez4000 and Pasha Patriki

    Latest comment: 2 months ago3 comments2 people in discussion

    HardTimez4000 seems to be solely interested in highlighting Pasha Patriki, the films he helped produce, and his companies PurpleDOG Post Production and Hangar 18 Media. He solely focuses on projects he's involved in, awards won, film summaries, and meandering references to famous people involved in said films. User keeps undoing edits that include relevant and properly cited information. Hardtimez4000's sole focus on Pasha Patriki is a strong indicator of a conflict of interest. EtobicokeSpeedDemon (talk) 18:36, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    (Not an admin) the site that you're using to try and add controversial information to Pasha Patriki is highly unsuitable for the claims you are making. I would urge you to read through WP:BLP in its entirety. Knitsey (talk) 18:54, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    You also need to inform them of this your addition to this noticeboard. Knitsey (talk) 18:57, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Dhanendra Kumar and User:Gargtu

    Latest comment: 2 months ago1 comment1 person in discussion

    User:Gargtu has been edit-warring to add massively excessive resume content to Dhanendra Kumar despite warnings. They aren't quite an SPA on that article, but they've added a large amount of unreferenced, promotional content to the article over the years. I'm looking for suggestions on how to handle this other than just reverting the additions over and over, since the user has basically never used a talk page. :Jay8g [V•T•E] 18:40, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    Abdullah Al Nuaimi

    Latest comment: 2 months ago2 comments2 people in discussion


    This user removed a paragraph from the article which should be noticed as a violation of COI per username and editing pattern. The username read as Dr.Abdullah al nuaimi. -Lemonaka 20:46, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    I've given then a final warning. --Hammersoft (talk) 23:39, 17 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    User:Macgirl

    Latest comment: 2 months ago11 comments3 people in discussion

    The general editing pattern with huge amount of ref bombing, and how they'd do one article and articles directly related to that article. They go away for a while, come back and do major edits on a different company. The very flowery and flattering tones and great focus on architects and firms rather than on the topic of architecture despite what the user profile is strongly indicative of public relations editing. What do you all think? Graywalls (talk) 19:00, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

    If this is not WP:UPE, it certainly resembles it.
    Interestingly the user has only ever cleared material from their user page twice, both times specifically removing only discussions about the apparently promotional nature of their edits.
    I understand that the user intends to reply here, so no doubt we will soon hear their version of events. Axad12 (talk) 20:24, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Correction: the material that was removed from the talk page was broader than simply discussions re: promo, but the removals did include the removal of those discussions. Axad12 (talk) 20:38, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    I don't recall specifically removing items from my Talk page. Despite being on this platform for nearly 20 years now, I am by no means an expert, which should be obvious from my contribution history. Whatever was deleted was inadvertent and had no bad intentions. Can you show me where I can see what content was deleted and when? macgirl (talk) 20:50, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Just go to your talk page and select "View History" (top right). Large scale removals took place on 5th May 2020 and 25th Sept 2020. Axad12 (talk) 20:56, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Thank you, this is helpful. I see these two, which were labeled as "Archived" and "moved to history", yet not deleted (unless archiving and moving to history is the same thing as deleting?):
    15:25, 5 May 2020‎ Macgirl talk contribs‎ m 2,381 bytes −41,031‎ Archived. undo Tag: Replaced
    13:36, 25 September 2020‎ Macgirl talk contribs‎ 3,805 bytes −24,136‎ moved to history undo
    It looks like I was trying to keep my Talk page clean, but it's hard to recall clearly something I did without knowing its full meaning four years ago. macgirl (talk) 21:06, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Hi Graywalls. I'd like to respond to this message point by point.
    1. "The general editing pattern with huge amount of ref bombing, and how they'd do one article and articles directly related to that article."
    I don't know what "ref bombing" means. If you are referring to my practice of researching subjects thoroughly and collecting ample independent sources to prove notability, then I was under the impression that ample independent sources is the preferred approach and am confused as to why you are citing it as a negative. Please clarify what you mean by "ref bombing" in relation to my articles.
    Similarly, my understanding is that Wikipedia's goal is to expand, and so whenever I've noticed where a new article could be written, and I've had the time to write it, I have written it. I also do not see this as a negative. Please clarify why you think adding articles where I think they are needed is a problem.
    ///////
    2. "They go away for a while, come back and do major edits on a different company."
    I edit Wikipedia in my spare time and have a narrow focus of interest: design and the Dominican Republic. I contribute where I see there is a need. General architecture knowledge is well covered, in my opinion. Where I see the need is in creating pages for designers and firms doing work I consider significant for one or another reason (size, style, LGBTQ advocacy, impact on certain underrepresented neighborhoods, etc.). Once my page is created, I return if and when I have time to add more. More often than not, I simply move on to other subjects. Because I do this as a hobby in my spare time, it takes me a LONG time to create a new page from scratch. This is why there aren't more frequent contributions: Wikipedia editing is a hobby for me. One page a year is all I can contribute, and I make sure that my contributions are valuable.
    ///////
    3. "The very flowery and flattering tones and great focus on architects and firms rather than on the topic of architecture despite what the user profile is strongly indicative of public relations editing."
    Please indicate examples of the specific contributions I made that are "flowery" and "flattering" in your view. I would be glad to receive positive feedback on how to improve this aspect if indeed the tone is found by the majority here to be "flowery" and "flattering". Also, please note that every article I've created has been reviewed and approved by an Editor, except for the very last one, which was awaiting review for months.
    ///////
    More generally, though, your accusation that I am being compensated for my edits is unfounded. If you have specific criticism about the pages I've created, I would be glad to listen and implement, as I have implemented the suggestions of several other editors who have weighed in on ALL my new page edits over the years. macgirl (talk) 20:37, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Three questions:
    In what sense in raising a topic at this noticeboard a personal attack?
    Are you aware that according to WP:PA making an unsubstantiated allegation of that nature is itself a personal attack?
    On how many occasions has your work been labelled as promotional or as reading like an advert? Axad12 (talk) 20:46, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Answers below:
    1. In addition to this message, the original poster left a message on my page accusing me of being a paid contributor. Perhaps this is standard practice, but I consider it a hostile approach, as I have never been accused of such before. As I said above, I can retract this if I have misread Graywalls's intentions.
    2. No, I was not aware of that. I am referring to the combination of this noticeboard and the message that Graywalls left on my page. Combined, they seem awfully hostile and not constructive. Please let me know if I've misread intentions here.
    3. I recall a "promotional language" issue arising only once. The criticism I received was very specific, which helped me not only correct that one article but improve future ones. I am very open to making edits and improving, and have never been accused of being a paid contributor. macgirl (talk) 20:59, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    1 & 2: Those are standard messages. You should withdraw the allegation of a personal attack.
    3: I've already counted three occasions and I've hardly started looking. I'll get back to you when I have the full count. Axad12 (talk) 21:05, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
    Could you list the three occasions? macgirl (talk) 21:08, 18 August 2024 (UTC)Reply
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