Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/ERWUML97/Archive

Suspected sockpuppets



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All are SPAs which were created around the same time and have had extremely similar edit messages to add references to the University of Manchester's journal repository. If not sockpuppets, possible meatpuppets or concerted citation effort. Rahigman and Mtlsscmg are less certain - their edit summary format differs from the others. I'm requesting a CU because I suspect there may be more that my link search missed and because I think the edit evidence, while very suspicious, is not sufficient to determine whether this is sockpuppetry, meatpuppetry, or something else. creffett (talk) 12:58, 29 May 2019 (UTC)

Comments by other users
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That's a good point, I hadn't thought of it possibly being a class project. I will ask the users. As for abuse (if this is in fact a sock effort), while I can't point to a specific policy that would be violated by the use of multiple accounts to add open-access archive URLs, it feels very close to self-promotion or self-citation. Additionally, a couple of the edits (this one, for example) overwrote existing archive URLs in favor of the man.co.uk URL, which further smacks of self-promotion. I realize that this is a very borderline case, so if you'd rather close it for now, I can understand that decision. creffett (talk) 14:06, 29 May 2019 (UTC)
 * I've received a couple replies, this was apparently part of an effort by University of Manchester library staff. Additionally, the replies (from ‎Rahigman and Mtlsscmg) have shown further technical differentiation, such as the use of different editors. Some COI concerns, but not sockpuppetry. My bad here, sockpuppetry claim withdrawn, please close at your convenience. creffett (talk) 14:43, 29 May 2019 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments
Is it possible this is a class project? Have you asked any of the users? I've had some unpleasant experience with this sort of thing, and I think it's important to find out whether they are students before we move on. If you don't wish to ask, let me know, and I'll do so. Also, please explain how the users' edits are abusive.--Bbb23 (talk) 13:56, 29 May 2019 (UTC)
 * Thanks very much. Closing.--Bbb23 (talk) 14:46, 29 May 2019 (UTC)