User talk:Tom29739/Archive 13

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Tech News: 2016-28
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Tech News: 2016-29
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The Signpost: 21 July 2016
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Block Notice

 * Why am I blocked? I don't believe I have used this account or any account abusively, nor is my IP blocked. Tom29739 [ talk ] 00:32, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Checkuser evidence shows that you engaged in sockpuppetry, editing while logged out to mislead, and block evasion. Mike V • Talk 02:50, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * I've known Tom29739 for a couple of months, and I don't believe he'd do this. Perhaps this is an error? Also, was there a SPI investigation or was this random? Dat GuyTalkContribs 10:56, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * I can't find an SPI that mentions Tom29739, and Mike V did not edit any SPI pages within around an hour of the blocking. This makes me wonder what caused the suspicion required to run a CU. KSF  T C 13:36, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * I've got to say, I'm a little startled by this behaviour too -, I trust your judgement in the matter, but is there anything more you can say to possibly alleviate these mild concerns? This is quite out of character for Tom -- samtar talk or stalk 11:09, 18 July 2016 (UTC)


 * I am also curious as to why this block came out of the blue. If it's based on CU evidence, it may be possible that the ISP the intended suspect was using swapped IPs with Tom, hence I suspect this is mere collateral damage. I've known Tom for a while now and he is aware of the sockpuppet policies for sure, and he wouldn't do this. — k6ka  🍁 ( Talk ·  Contributions ) 12:33, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * The check was performed to investigate abusive behavior. Unfortunately, I cannot provide much information as it would violate the privacy policy. However, I can say that these accounts were a confirmed match to Tom29739: PeterRobertson7, Callumlol99, Banyer. Mike V • Talk 15:55, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * , I echo the concerns and curiosity here. Sockpuppetry would be out of character for tom29739.  I think there's a potential of an mistaken block here.  I realize that you can't share the CU evidence for privacy reasons, but could you review the evidence more thoroughly perhaps? The writing and editing styles of the listed apparent socks does not appear to *at all* match tom29739.  And thank you for listing the socks that CU evidence appears to match tom29739 to. Waggie (talk) 16:05, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * I'm very certain about the connection. There is a unique element of the technical data that connects Tom29739 to the accounts and other concerning edits. Mike V • <b style="color:#C16C16">Talk</b> 16:30, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * thank you for providing this information -- samtar talk or stalk 17:00, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * , yes thank you, I do appreciate you responding with more information. I'm still not convinced, personally, but it's all well above my access level. Waggie (talk) 17:06, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Well Tom is below 18, very likely he edited from his school once or twice which would show up in the CU log for the last 6 months, there is a good chance some kids from the same school also edited on the same IP range or even IP but that does not mean he was socking, one of 3 things Is the IP used by all 4 accounts you mentioned (Banyer never edited) from a school or some place with a public wi-fi? or the "unique element" you speak of is surely the browser user agent, isn't it possible that if the above is true then its very likely they all may have used the same computer or set of computers using the same browser in their school library or computer lab? and I was notified by Tom that he was born in this millennium, one of the accounts you blocked which had done 'vandalism' is apparently for someone born in 99 (kids love using birth years in usernames [and passwords]  so I'm very sure that these socks were not him but belonging to kids in his school, some maybe even his juniors..and he never attended one of the school whose page was vandalised by one of his "socks"..You and I both know kids always target schools they go/went too on wikipedia..so again, if you answered yes to my first question,then there is a very very strong possibility that this was "collateral"..I see no similarity with the 'Callumlol99' account at all and the only similarity with the 'PeterRobertson7' account is that they both edited the page of a current cabinet member recently (Tom edited Theresa May, Peter edited Andrea Leadsom's page)...and the 'PeterRobertson7' accounts is also a collateral since it looks like it was a 'genuine' contributor fixing that article and reading the users tone, i'm convinced he is an adult, and not someone in high school (perhaps a teacher).-- Stemoc 00:51, 19 July 2016 (UTC)
 * I'm not going to comment on the technical data, nor will I speculate on this user's personal information. <b style="color:#151B54">Mike V</b> • <b style="color:#C16C16">Talk</b> 02:46, 19 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Its neither speculation nor releasing 'personal data' and by saying you refuse to tell us what you find makes us wonder that maybe you were wrong, this is a common practice on enwiki sadly whereby CU's and most times admins who blatantly block accounts as socks without verifiable or justifiable proof leading to socking..You just had to answer yes or no to my first question, you need not to give out the IP, I did not ask for it....personally, its CU abuse since you randomly CU'ed his account even though he had not edited for 3 days prior to that..I expected better from you Mike especially since you know you are the ONLY admin i ever voted to support for CU rights and arbcom :( ..I'm not an admin or CU but over the years i have also been able to read people via their edits and behavior and have caught many socks and vandals this way across media and in no way do i see Tom being a sock of 'Callumlol99' or 'PeterRobertson7'...either our arbcoms/CU's have developed super powers over the last few years (telepathy) or they have become arrogant and lazy...there can be only one answer..-- Stemoc 03:09, 19 July 2016 (UTC)

, while I strongly believe this is a mistaken block, I think we need to AGF here. While I disagreee with 's actions, he honestly seems to believe he is doing what is best for Wikipedia, and believes he has legitimate evidence to support his actions. Please understand that Mike V is trying to avoid giving out any personal details that he is not allowed to per his role as CU. I know that I would appreciate if, in such a situation, he were careful regarding my personal information also. As I understand it, Tom29739 is appealing his block to ArbCom, so please let this play out per policy without any...unpleasantness. Let's let the process take place as it should. Thank you for understanding. Waggie (talk) 04:13, 19 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Hi everyone. I absolutely understand the curiosity and concern of fellow editors of Tom. I will ask you that you allow the appeals process to work, and that we avoid speculation as it's confusing to not only those reviewing it, but it also confuses those reading this page, and isn't helping. That said, I've chatted directly with Tom, and we are actively working in the appeals process. I would like to stress that Tom was not directly suspected of sockpuppetry when checkuser got involved. It was only after dealing with vandalizing edits with other users and/or IPs that his name came up. That is all I can disclose though publicly. I've also provided Tom with reasoning as to why his name came up, information that CUs are not allowed by any means to release publicly such as here on the talkpage. If Tom wishes to reveal his own data, then that is his prerogative.
 * Right now, 3 CUs are involved and discussing the unblock request and we will keep Tom in the loop, and I hope for quick but accurate deliberations. If he further wishes, he can request appeals at the appropriate time to larger bodies, depending on the result of this one. Please bear with us through this. -- Amanda  (aka DQ) 16:03, 19 July 2016 (UTC)
 * To keep everyone updated, I have sent additional evidence to the checkusers for review. It may take a day or two to look it over and finish our discussion, so I ask for a bit more patience while we continue our conversation. <b style="color:#151B54">Mike V</b> • <b style="color:#C16C16">Talk</b> 01:51, 20 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Thank you both for your transparency and willingness to keep us publicly in the loop as much as permitted during this - would it be possible to request an update on the block? -- samtar talk or stalk 17:02, 24 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Tom29739 has appealed to arbcom, so I believe that takes it out of our hands. I forwarded the evidence to the committee 3 days ago and they acknowledged the receipt of the email shortly after. Unfortunately, DeltaQuad is experiencing some computer and connection issues and is not readily available for the time being. <b style="color:#151B54">Mike V</b> • <b style="color:#C16C16">Talk</b> 21:18, 24 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Thank you again for the update Mike V -- samtar talk or stalk 18:04, 25 July 2016 (UTC)