Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Starship SN20/Archive

Suspected sockpuppets
User:Starship SN20 started editing under that username on August 20, 2021 by redirecting the talk pages of two IP Accounts, Special:Contributions/71.183.212.131 which edited from January-February 2021 and Special:Contributions/100.2.238.109, which edited from March-August 2021. They also redirected a non-existent talkpage for User:Starship 20 Starship SN20, also stated that they had edited under two additional IP addresses, plus two other usernames: Yref9375 and 1816Space (should have been Yref9875 and 1816space). One of the other IP addresses was also redirected to their talkpage. Starship SN20 was blocked in October 2021 for disruptive editing, and then after the block was lifted for a second chance, was reblocked in June 2022 for logged-out vandalism. Special:Log/block?page=User:Starship+SN20 User:Starship 24 started editing six months later, in December 2022. Starship 24 was blocked on Spanish Wikipedia on March 31, 2023 for logged-out vandalism, and then was blocked sitewide for 2 local in-progress block evasions on April 11, 2023.

I believe that Starship 24 is a sock of Starship SN20 for a several reasons. First, they edited mainspace almost exclusively in two areas: space launches (Including two faux Wikipedia "Projects" created without WP:Council approval) and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Second, they almost immediately requested rollback rights with virtually identical rationales - to fight vandalism, which seems odd for a new user. Third, they also very early on signed up for RedWarn, not something I would ever expect of a genuine novice editor, and then used it repeatedly to make frivolous requests for page protection on articles where there was actually little or no activity, and certainly no vandalism and to template other users. Fourth, they were both repeatedly warned on their talk pages about a common pattern of disruptive, tendentious editing. Finally, the activity for which they were blocked is basically identical -, block evasion and logged-out vandalism. I understand that the Checkuser information that led to the blocks for both accounts in protected information, so it is not available, and I also understand that the first accounts is sufficiently old that it may not show up on Checkuser, so I'm basing this request on the "Duck" principle. I recognize of course, that they've already been blocked, but if they are the same person, I'd like SPI to establish it if possible for the purpose of appropriate notices. Banks Irk (talk) 17:20, 13 April 2023 (UTC)
 * To the question below, I only listed the three non-existent accounts because Starship SN20 redirected one to their account, and wrote that they had previously edited under the other two usernames. Perhaps it was pointless to have done so; I did ask myself that question before filing the SPI, but decided to err on the side of completeness. Banks Irk (talk) 22:43, 13 April 2023 (UTC)
 * I managed to find the other two IP addresses referred to above, and also a talkpage for 1816space and for Yref9875 (problem was errors in 100*'s identification). The two usernames made just a couple of edits that were reverted or were to deleted pages and so don't show up as contributions to us mortals. 1816 talkpage was  created by 98.* and then 100.* transcluded 71's talkpage to it. The fourth IP is incorrectly identified by 100* in this diff.  I have revised the list above accordingly. Also, I'd note that the blocklogs for the two of the IP addresses show the same pattern of problematic editing as the named accounts. Banks Irk (talk) 15:35, 14 April 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

 * Accused parties may also comment/discuss in this section below. See Defending yourself against claims.


 * Starship 24 was site-blocked two days ago ([//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Log/block&page=Starship+24 log]) and also globally locked ([//meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:Log?page=User%3AStarship+24%40global log]), both actions being performed by, a steward, who may wish to comment here. -- Red rose64 &#x1f339; (talk) 21:43, 13 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Starship SN20, Starship 20 and Starship 24 are names of SpaceX Starship prototypes. Plus with a really narrow edit focus on SpaceX-related topics, and the connections are abundantly clear. CactiStaccingCrane (talk) 15:52, 14 April 2023 (UTC)
 * There is another account that I initially thought was another sock, based on similar username and same narrow interest, User:StarshipSLS, who had a rough start as IP 64.121.10.103.144 Special:MobileDiff/1019979769Special:Contributions/64.121.103.144 but at least at this point, I think they're different. I could be wrong about that. Banks Irk (talk) 22:58, 14 April 2023 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * My comments at User talk:AmandaNP/Archives/ 2023 are about all I can say because of ANPDP. I'm also not sure why three non-existent accounts are linked...so hard to speak on that too. My comment to file this case was more for a matter of record that there is a concern about these editors being related alongside the IPs. -- Amanda (she/her)  22:28, 13 April 2023 (UTC)
 * I've tagged Starship SN20 and Starship 24 as suspected to each other. It does seem likely that this is the same person. I don't see a need to do anything with the IPs or the inactive alternative accounts. Closing. Thanks, Spicy (talk) 15:25, 16 April 2023 (UTC)