Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons/Noticeboard

Welcome – report issues regarding biographies of living persons here.
This noticeboard is for discussing the application of the biographies of living people (BLP) policy to article content. Please seek to resolve issues on the article talk page first, and only post here if that discussion requires additional input. Do not copy and paste defamatory material here; instead, link to a diff showing the problem. Search this noticeboard & archives Sections older than 7 days are archived by Lowercase sigmabot III. Additional notes: Edits by the subject of an article may be welcome in some cases. For general content disputes regarding biographical articles, try Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Biographies instead. Editors are encouraged to assist editors regarding the reports below. Administrators may impose contentious topic restrictions to enforce policies.

Lucas Kunce

Repeated attempts to edit the article to overemphasize and sensationalize a recent shooting incident, violating WP:BALANCE and WP:WEIGHT. While the incident is appropriately covered in its own section with reliable sources, editors keep trying to characterize Kunce as being "best known" for this single event, which appears to be harassment through repeated undue emphasis of negative content. Request review and possible protection if problematic editing continues.— Preceding unsigned comment added by Aerophilian (talk • contribs) 15:28, October 27, 2024 (UTC)

BLPCRIME and article that focuses on non-public figure not charged but not convicted of a crime

The article Phillips family disappearances seems like a complete WP:BLPCRIME violation to me but I don't know how to address it short of deleting the article itself. Traumnovelle (talk) 04:40, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

The article could probably do with a trim (readers do not need to know about every single alleged robbery or vehicle theft) but the notability of the events is indisputable and most of the sources look reliable (Stuff, RNZ, Newshub, the Herald, etc.) Phillips' not having been convicted of a crime would hold more water had he not absconded while on bail leading to a warrant being issue for his arrest. Daveosaurus (talk) 06:33, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

I agree with it being notable which is why I haven't proposed AfD, but it does go against what BLPCRIME states: For individuals who are not public figures editors must seriously consider not including material—in any article—that suggests the person has committed or is accused of having committed a crime, unless a conviction has been secured for that crime. Traumnovelle (talk) 06:49, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

I'd definitely rephrase parts like New Zealand Police believe... we're writing an encyclopedia, not a news article. Alpha3031 (t • c) 06:55, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

Strictly speaking BLPCRIME only says we must "seriously consider" not including such material; there is leeway for editors to judge that we should include the material even though it suggests a non-public figure committed a crime.

Given that this is an article about a man taking his children in a custody dispute and disappearing when he's meant to be in court to answer criminal charges, I'm not sure it's possible to write a meaningful version of the article which doesn't at least suggest the possibility that he's committed crimes. Maybe if this were cut down to a three sentence stub... Caeciliusinhorto (talk) 09:18, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

This is where the line between public figure and private citizen begin to blur. A person can become a public figure simply by committing a crime, without even seeking fame. It all depends on how much public interest exists. For example, Charles Manson and his "family" became infamous back in their day, generating tremendous amounts of news coverage, several documentaries, and even some movies. Far worse crimes have been committed that didn't generate hardly any interest, and if it happened in Somewhere, Nebraska, he likely would've disappeared into the aether of history. But it didn't, it happened in Beverly Hills so it garnered a huge amount of public interest.

Who knows why some criminals achieve celebrity status, but it's probably the same reason some musicians and actors do while most don't, but it's the risk everyone takes when committing a crime. Seeking fame doesn't automatically make one a public figure, and avoiding fame doesn't guarantee it won't.

Other examples include Mary Kay Letourneau and Casey Anthony. In Anthony's case, she was found innocent, but at one point the case had received so much coverage she was a household name; not notable enough to have her own article but enough to have her name redirected to the article about the case. The purpose of BLPCRIME is to protect the rights of private citizens, but at some point the case becomes so well known that there is no longer any point in trying to protect their rights to privacy or innocent until proven guilty. In such cases we have an obligation to cover the info as well.

In this case, it looks like there is enough coverage to warrant this article in spite of having no conviction to show for it. However, I don't think the children have committed any crimes and am uncomfortable naming them or having their pictures in the article. Extra care should be taken with children in any article. Zaereth (talk) 07:20, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

I would generally support removing the pictures and name. But I think this case is complicated since it's a high profile disappearance. While there's no suggestion the children committed any crime, the names but especially the photos have become wide spread precisely because they are being actively looked for. Consider other famous cases like Disappearance of Madeleine McCann or Disappearance of Etan Patz where we have photos and the articles are named after the person who disappeared. Yes Etan Patz is now considered resolved but it's still so named because of the fame surrounding the disappearance and the photo which even appeared on milk carton was I'm fairly sure always there even before. Other cases involving the disappearance of minors seem similar e.g. from 2010 to now Disappearance of Mekayla Bali, Disappearance of William Tyrrell, Disappearance of Sky Metalwala, Disappearance of Timmothy Pitzen, Disappearance of Kyron Horman, Disappearance of Rebecca Reusch and Disappearance of Owen Harding all have photos. (Note that McCann and Metalwala even have age progression images.) To be fair, Disappearance of Ayla Reynolds, Disappearance of Timmothy Pitzen and Disappearance of Dulce Maria Alavez do not have photos although still have the article named after the minor. I suspect the lack of photo might have editors uncertain how to handle NFCC as much as anything and/or general unfamiliarity with how they can add images by those involved in the articles. And I'm excluding Disappearance of John Beckenridge and Mike Zhao-Beckenridge, Disappearance of Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos and Disappearance of Dylan Ehler as in all those cases it seems like the these were quite early on treated as a probable death where the body has simply not been found rather than a person who has possibly been abducted or otherwise might still be out there somewhere. (Although since there is always doubt, I'm fairly sure the photos have been spread a fair amount e.g. I know this is the case for Mike Zhao-Beckenridge which is also a NZ case.) Note that in some of these cases, Etan Patz being an obvious example, the disappeared might be no longer a minor, but I don't think that is the reason we're fine with including the images. While in the headline case we were fairly sure from the outset why the children disappeared, this doesn't change that they're still being actively searched for and since there's no guarantee the father will be with them at all times and in any case it helps with identification the photos of the children are also widely distributed. Nil Einne (talk) 12:19, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

Allegedly an individual of short stature who accompanied a normal-sized individual during an alleged crime was Tom Phillips and one of his daughters.

But I realised this fails NFCC#8, images of living people aren't considered fair use on Wikipedia so the image will have to go for another reason. Traumnovelle (talk) 21:30, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

I mean Disappearance of Alessia and Livia Schepp instead of Pitzen in the second instance. Anyway that isn't correct and we have a number of such images e.g. Lucy Letby and Saif al-Adel are examples. The requirement is that free images can plausibly be created. This is generally considered to apply to nearly all living persons, but there are some exceptions. Long term incarcerated are one such exception and also those who in hiding. People who have disappeared would seem to be another obvious one. There's the remaining question of whether it's acceptable to use the images in articles which aren't on the people per se but their disappearance e.g. Wikipedia talk:Non-free content/Archive 74#Non-free use reassessment. I'd suspect the answer on this is yes since including the widely distributed photos of disappeared people "would significantly increase readers' understanding of the article topic, and its omission would be detrimental to that understanding". This isn't like what a shooter looks like since while those images might be widely distributed, it doesn't particularly matter if anyone knows what they look like. By comparison the hope is that anyone who might plausibly see disappeared people know what they look like. But I've never taken part in NFCC discussions on this so have no idea if this is the general community consensus. But I suspect the fact more than 50% of our articles on disappeared people have such images including 1 extremely high profile example (McCann, I just noticed Patz isn't actually NFCC although it was from 2007) suggests community consensus has been in that direction. It's possible community consensus will only come down in support when those images have been distributed widely enough, but that's likely to be a tricky balance so definitely not something that's a slam dunk either way. Nil Einne (talk) 10:38, 5 November 2024 (UTC)

BTW see Wikipedia:Files for discussion/2023 August 18#File:Lucy Letby mugshot.png for confirmation this isn't just something no one noticed. Nil Einne (talk) 10:41, 5 November 2024 (UTC)f

NB my assumption is that the children were all too young for criminal responsibility to be a concern. But going by this [1], I guess Jayda was ten during the bank robbery. But even so, I'm unconvinced that saying a child who was taken by her father at the age of eight into fairly unknown circumstances accompanied her father at age 10 during a bank robbery raises significant BLPCRIME concerns, as I think most people would assume that there is no reasonable possibility of criminal responsibility in such circumstances even if the child was technically over the legal threshold in the jurisdiction. Nil Einne (talk) 12:44, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

The person suspected of a crime (Wasting police time? Really?) absconding is irrelevant for the application of WP:BLPCRIME. If this was nominated for deletion I might support it per WP:TNT if there isn't a suitable redirect target. TarnishedPath^talk 11:35, 5 November 2024 (UTC)

One of the issues is that for a variety of reasons details of things like custody don't tend to be discussed much in NZ. But if you read sources like [2], it seems clear even if you put aside the bank robbery etc, it's quite likely more significant charges will be due than simply wasting police time if father is ever arrested. Beyond the secrecy over such things in NZ, I suspect one of the reasons there hasn't been much talk is there is no reason. Whatever is alleged is ongoing. The bank robbery and stuff are one of events each of which are their own alleged crime. Nil Einne (talk) 12:52, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

@TarnishedPath -- I fully agree with your view point. Slacker13 (talk) 05:32, 9 November 2024 (UTC)

Again, BLPCRIME says one must "seriously consider", not that it is a hard and fast rule every time. There really isn't any way to write this article that does not have this problem. I don't really think this is a violation, given that he does seem to have ''become'' a public figure or something close to this by doing this (see Casey Anthony example given above), and it's not like his name was only given in low quality sources, the RS do name him. A bigger BLP concern would be the children as stated. The RS do name them so it's not a straightforward violation (and doesn't need to be reveled or anything) but that should probably be cut down on. PARAKANYAA (talk) 01:40, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

Imane Khelif

Massive BLP violations by IP editors in the talk page. Would like more eyes on it... possibly could be blanked by an admin if judged appropriately. Bluethricecreamman (talk) 17:44, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

Section for reference: Talk:Imane_Khelif#New_Evidence_Published_In_French. Supposed leaked medical documents were published by Le Correspondant an "independent" French newspaper that isn't listed in WP:RSP. OhNoitsJamie ^Talk 17:54, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

lots of coverage of highly salacious stories regarding algerians, morrocans, liberians, etc.

Cannot find much else about it on google. Bluethricecreamman (talk) 18:18, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

I don't know if I would call Le Correspondant a newspaper... More like a group blog, the American comparison that comes to mind is InfoWars but its not entirely as bad. Horse Eye's Back (talk) 20:18, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

The author of the article is also the outlet's President and Director of Publication (via Google translate), which raises concerns about SPS—and should automatically disqualify it from being used for a BLP claim. Woodroar (talk) 20:28, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

I agree this site fails the sniff test for WP:BLP sourcing. It's got no responsible editorial oversight, and as Horse Eye's Back said, it's rather unsavory. It's sensational and it's offensive. But if you want true WP bureaucratic condemnation, seek opinions also at WP:RSN. Cheers. JFHJr (㊟) 03:31, 5 November 2024 (UTC)

Quite frankly any story that is parroting other sites based on a "leaked medical report" should be presumed unreliable given that such "leaked medical report"s are generally not verified. TarnishedPath^talk 11:42, 5 November 2024 (UTC)

It's unverified, unverifiable, and if true perpetuates an invasion of privacy (think criminal/civil issues, but not for anyone here, just a nightmare for the subject/victim/plaintiff). True or false, its inclusion would make Wikipedia look pretty bad in a BLP way. JFHJr (㊟) 03:39, 9 November 2024 (UTC)

...Unless the subject suing the shit out of publishers/parrots becomes itself noteworthy. And also WP:NOTNEWS a bit, as even that is developing. We shall see. For now, I stand by the above. JFHJr (㊟) 06:20, 9 November 2024 (UTC)

The linked BLP doesn't just not mention these questionably-sourced claims, it implies any such claims are false. As someone not familiar with the subject matter, that seems to be maybe too certain, and a consequence of politically-charged controversy. It might be a good idea to re-run those RFCs now that a little time has passed. 76.24.20.188 (talk) 19:44, 9 November 2024 (UTC)

There is no implication that any claims are false. The lead clearly states that "no medical evidence ... has been published" which is factually correct and supported by sources. TarnishedPath^talk 02:13, 14 November 2024 (UTC)

@EvergreenFir, do you think the "neither-nor" comment requires WP:OVERSIGHT? Thanks for your input. JFHJr (㊟) 07:16, 12 November 2024 (UTC)

A lot of the conversation on article talk is not compliant with WP:BLP or WP:MEDRS and, considering the intersection I would kindly ask an administrator to review whether revdel is required at article talk. Simonm223 (talk) 01:48, 14 November 2024 (UTC)

@Drmies, @ScottishFinnishRadish, sorry to yank you into this discussion. But could one of you please revdel the worst of this? Or give a word here why not? Thanks as always. JFHJr (㊟) 02:02, 14 November 2024 (UTC)

I don't know. If these comments prove anything it's the tedious repetition of callousness and ignorance on the part of the now-blocked editor. As far as I'm concerned they should be blocked indefinitely. Drmies (talk) 02:21, 14 November 2024 (UTC)

Jessica Andrews (writer)

Jessica Andrews (writer)

In the 'early life' section, this article states that the author's parents divorced due to her father's heavy drinking. The source for this information is linked from an elle magazine article 'learning to love after heartbreak.' This article does not state that the author's parents divorced due to her father's alcoholism. This is a false assumption.

Hi @Jessicacandrews:, welcome to Wikipedia. I've removed the last part of the statement about the reason for your parents divorce. Knitsey (talk) 17:08, 6 November 2024 (UTC)

Thank you so much - really appreciated. Jessicacandrews (talk) 17:10, 6 November 2024 (UTC)

Alan Schatzberg

Request: A section entitled "Controversy" on this page (Alan Schatzberg) provides a biased, inaccurate, and incomplete viewpoint. As documented in this article and other online sources (https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/pn.43.16.0006), the University confirmed that Dr. Schatzberg complied with disclosure policies. I ask that his page be updated to reflect the facts around this topic in a more complete and balanced way. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:1c0:4780:f760:a9d0:535c:9891:2633 (talk) 21:32, 6 November 2024 (UTC)

You don’t need to post here. Please post on talk page or feel free to do it yourself if you think so. Anyways, I removed that entire paragraph as it was a single source and WP:CRITICISM suggests against controversy sections Bluethricecreamman (talk) 21:59, 6 November 2024 (UTC)

Thank you! Much appreciated. 2601:1C0:4780:F760:A9D0:535C:9891:2633 (talk) 22:17, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

Philip Dwyer

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

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Philip Dwyer

The following attack page, stored on Wiki servers, is defamatory, labeling an individual, "Mr. Philip Dwyer" erroneously and without legal basis as "Far Right". The term is used across the entire article to slur Mr. Dwyer.

There has been no case in the Republic of Ireland to date, that has legally stated that the character of the still living individual 'Philip Dwyer' is in fact Far-Right.

The label Far-Right is synonymous with Nazi, antisemitic and often other illegal practices and is severely damaging to a person's character.

Failure to remove the article, now on notice, may be viewed as a missed or deliberately ignored opportunity to protect the individual in question.

It is urged and advised that the article be removed and deleted without delay. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Legal-overview (talk • contribs) 17:46, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

 Courtesy link: Philip Dwyer

@Legal-overview: Then perhaps you should start by targeting the various newspapers and scholarly works that call him far-right, and not waste your time with pseudo-legal thuggery that will get you blocked for attempting to induce a chilling effect. —Jéské Couriano v^_^v ^{threads critiques} 17:48, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

@Legal-overview: no case or legal basis is required. All that is required here is reliable sourcing. That appears to exist. As with any other WP:PUBLICFIGURE, this BLP will simply document what these reliable sources say. Your legal threat, now on notice, may be viewed as a missed or deliberately ignored opportunity to familiarize yourself with even the basics of WP:BLP. It is urged and advised that you familiarize yourself with our policies without delay. Cheers. JFHJr (㊟) 20:34, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Pampita

Would be grateful if some of the experts here could have a look at Pampita. I'm not sure the details about types of relationships she has had ("rebound", "situationship") are appropriate. Thanks. Tacyarg (talk) 23:08, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

Well, see WP:PUBLICFIGURE first: it happens to provide an example using a public figure's personal life. This subject seeks attention as part of her profession. Is there a problem with the sources used to support the claims? JFHJr (㊟) 23:16, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for your reply. There is no source for the description of three of the relationships (in the infobox). Looking at the source for (Short-lived rekindling of relationship) for another relationship, it's in Spanish, which I don't read, but a machine translation doesn't suggest that this description is in the source. Tacyarg (talk) 23:22, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

Please remove what is unsourced. Your edit summary might just say "removing unsourced; failed WP:V". Cheers. JFHJr (㊟) 23:25, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

Tasawar Hayat

The article lacks all the Wikipedia standards (Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Neutral_point_of_view, Wikipedia:Verifiability, and Wikipedia:No original research). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bestworkers (talk • contribs) 07:39, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

The article has been WP:PRODed. If the PROD is removed, this BLP notability discussion should move to WP:AFD. Cheers. JFHJr (㊟) 01:45, 9 November 2024 (UTC)

PS, thank you @Duffbeerforme. JFHJr (㊟) 05:41, 9 November 2024 (UTC)

David Mearns

There is an ongoing situation at David Mearns https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mearns where an IP editor is repeatedly reverting the removal of an inaccurate and contentious claim made about the article subject in violation of WP:BLP.

The editor Subarqaz is clearly a biased individual who over the past 9 days has targeting three subjects with the same contentious information. See the contributions page for Subarqaz that are all identical in nature. The claims are contentious with a clear intent to defame the subjects. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Subarqaz — Preceding unsigned comment added by Noddyhurst (talk • contribs) 17:55, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

I've pointed Subarqaz to our BLP policy and removed some other additions of theirs. If the issue continues, see if they'll discuss the changes on the article's Talk page. I'm afraid that little to nothing will be done until you communicate with the editor. Woodroar (talk) 18:29, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

As a result of this post, I have significantly expanded the previously mediocre Lucona, about a cargo ship insurance fraud scheme that killed six people, sent two men to prison, and was a scandal in Austria for 15 years. And Austria is a landlocked country. Mearns and his team found the shipwreck in the deep waters of the Indian Ocean. Cullen328 (talk) 08:14, 11 November 2024 (UTC)

RFC Notice: Should grey literature from advocacy groups and other similar orgs always be considered WP:SPS and therefore subject to WP:BLPSPS?

See here: RFC: Should grey literature from advocacy groups and other similar orgs always be considered WP:SPS and therefore subject to WP:BLPSPS? Bluethricecreamman (talk) 02:54, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

The discussion has evidently moved to Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Grey Literature. JFHJr (㊟) 19:09, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

Bertrand Ndongo, Juan Carlos Girauta

See edit history and talk page discussion. I'm at 3 reverts with a new user. Unknown Temptation (talk) 07:03, 11 November 2024 (UTC)

Jasser Auda's Bio

This is Jasser Auda writing. Reporting misinformation posted on the wiki bio page carrying my name. There is a few people collaborating to spread misinformation, which I will pursue legally if they insist on their behaviour. I was born in Egypt but I am a Canadian citizen, and I do not have, carry or use any Egyptian documents whatsoever, I have no Egyptian ID or passport or any other document other than my birth certificate. It seems that those who insist on writing that I am an "Egyptian Scholar" think that this gives me less rights to defend myself as a Canadian citizen. Also, the professional information on where I teach and currently affiliated to as a professor is outdated, and when I updated them someone obscure quickly revents them! Not sure who insists on replacing current information on my academic positions (where sources are public and verifiable) with outdated information. Wikipedia must be alert to corrupt-governments' hired spreaders of misinformation - this is the only way I can understand the behaviour of those anonymous editors! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jasserauda (talk • contribs) 22:50, 11 November 2024 (UTC)

Greetings and sorry for the consternation. It looks like you've made the edits you're essentially requesting above. However, you should not be editing the article about you. See also our conflict of interest policies, and WP:ABOUTYOU if you need further help right now. You should also retract your legal threat above and absolutely refrain from making more in the future. Please do talkpage the issue or bring it up here, while declaring your conflict of interest as you did. JFHJr (㊟) 03:52, 12 November 2024 (UTC)

Hmm. There sure are a lot of primary sources in this one. It appears to approach WP:RESUME. Opinions, anyone else? JFHJr (㊟) 03:59, 12 November 2024 (UTC)

Potentially defamatory allegations against living family members

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

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An editor has made unsourced and potentially libellous allegations against living persons in an article they created [redacted], and at a few related articles and talk pages [redacted]. I've reverted them so far, and left a uw-biog1 at the editor's user talk. However, the allegations have also been repeated in an AFD discussion [redacted], which I'm not sure that I can redact. Advice please? And can the revisions of the reverted allegations please be hidden by an admin? Thanks. Wikishovel (talk) 19:38, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

That is an alarming abrogation of WP:BLP especially as it involves several people who are fully private citizens. I think substantial revision deletion is probably needed at that AfD and I'd suggest speaking with an admin. Simonm223 (talk) 21:03, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

I'm about to write to WP:OVERSIGHT. In the meantime I've redacted the above links. EEng 21:37, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for raising this. Text revdelled (mostly by Black Kite) and editor blocked. -- Euryalus (talk) 21:49, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.