Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism and coordinated editing/Evidence: Difference between revisions

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{{Arbitration case phase closed}}

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{{Casenav|case name=Skepticism and coordinated editing|clerk1=Dreamy Jazz|clerk2=Amortias|clerk3=MJL|draft arb=Barkeep49|draft arb2=Izno|draft arb3=L235|draft arb4=|active=12|inactive=3|recused=0||scope=Editing behavior and potential coordinated editing in skepticism topics}}

{{Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism and coordinated editing/Header notice}}

Arbitration case pages exist to assist the Arbitration Committee in arriving at fair, well-informed decisions. This page is not designed for the submission of general reflections on the arbitration process, Wikipedia in general, or other irrelevant and broad issues; and if you submit such content to this page, please expect it to be ignored or removed. General discussion of the case may be opened on the [[{{TALKPAGENAME}}|talk page]]. You must focus on the issues that are important to the dispute and submit diffs which illustrate the nature of the dispute or will be useful to the committee in its deliberations.

'''Submitting evidence'''

* Any editor may add evidence to this page, irrespective of whether they are involved in the dispute.

* You must submit evidence in your own section, using the prescribed format.

* Editors who change other users' evidence may be sanctioned by arbitrators or clerks without warning; if you have a concern with or objection to another user's evidence, contact the [[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee/Clerks|arbitration clerks]] by e-mail or on the talk page.

'''Word and diff limits'''

* <u>The standard limits for all evidence submissions are: 1000 words and 100 [[help:diffs|diffs]] for users who are parties to this case; or about 500 words and 50 diffs for other users.<u> Detailed but succinct submissions are more useful to the committee.</u>

* If you wish to exceed the prescribed limits on evidence length, you must obtain the written consent of an arbitrator before doing so; you may ask for this on the [[{{TALKPAGENAME}}|Evidence talk page]].</u>

* Evidence that exceeds the prescribed limits without permission, or that contains inappropriate material or diffs, may be refactored, redacted or removed by a clerk or arbitrator without warning.

'''Supporting assertions with evidence'''

* Evidence must include links to the actual page diff in question, or to a short page section; links to the page itself are inadequate. Never link to a [[Wikipedia:Edit history|page history]], an editor's contributions, or a [[Special:log|log]] for all actions of an editor (as those change over time), although a link to a log for a specific article or a specific block log is acceptable.

* Please make sure any page section links are permanent, and read the [[Wikipedia:Simple diff and link guide|simple diff and link guide]] if you are not sure how to create a page diff.

'''Rebuttals'''

* The Arbitration Committee expects you to make rebuttals of other evidence submissions '''in your own section''', and for such rebuttals to explain how or why the evidence in question is incorrect; do not engage in [[wikt:tit-for-tat|tit-for-tat]] on this page.

* Analysis of evidence should occur on the [[../Workshop|/Workshop]] page, which is open for comment by parties, arbitrators, and others.

'''Expected standards of behavior'''

* You are required to act with appropriate decorum during this case. While grievances must often be aired during a case, you are expected to air them without being [[WP:Incivil|incivil]] or engaging in [[WP:NPA|personal attacks]], and to respond calmly to allegations against you.

* Accusations of misbehaviour posted in this case must be proven with clear evidence (and otherwise not made at all).

'''Consequences of inappropriate behavior'''

* Editors who conduct themselves inappropriately during a case may be sanctioned by an arbitrator or clerk, without warning.

* Sanctions issued by arbitrators or clerks may include being banned from particular case pages or from further participation in the case.

* Editors who ignore sanctions issued by arbitrators or clerks may be blocked from editing.

* Behavior during a case may also be considered by the committee in arriving at a final decision.

__TOC__

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===Case scope and implications===

The scope was changed from GSoW to skepticism, and ArbCom needs to be aware of potential knock-on effects. (How can one describe the DS topic area for skepticism? I'm having a hard time with that.)

====Skepticism per WP policies====

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Under [[WP:COI]], a COI can be formed by "any external relationship". Previously ArbCom found that COI "[[Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/BLP_issues_on_British_politics_articles#Conflicts_of_interest|also applies to conflicts that could cause unduly negative editing]]".

===GuerrillaSgerbic Skeptics areis involved in off-wiki activism===

The main focus here are the "sting" operations targeting mediums to discredit them: [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html] [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-onion-ring-thomas-john-and-the-children/] [https://respectfulinsolence.com/2021/07/13/is-mrna-vaccine-inventor-robert-malone-being-erased-for-his-claims-about-covid-19/#comment-447833] [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/click-click-click-thomas-john/] [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/suzane-northup-operation-lemon-meringue/] [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-pizza-roll-thomas-john/] According to Sgerbic, they focus on psychics that "have enough notability to have a Wikipedia page". [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN6Ol1KZNes&t=24s 2:30]

===GSoW editors have been editing BLPs targeted by Sgerbic's sting operations===

GSoW members have extensively edited the BLPs of subjects who were targeted through stings run by Sgerbic's team, often sourced to publications by GSoW members and supporters.

* Thomas John: [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_John_%28medium%29&type=revision&diff=887554479&oldid=884098925] [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_John_(medium)&diff=900801101&oldid=898089323] [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_John_%28medium%29&type=revision&diff=987944187&oldid=979425852] [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_John_%28medium%29&type=revision&diff=1035190826&oldid=1029107677]

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===Campaigning against BLP subjects===

Prior to his first TV series, and before he had a Wikipedia page, Tyler Henry was targeted by Sgerbic. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP157SmBqB4 10:36] Sgerbic wrote multiple negative articles (7+), then organised for others to write additional negative articles. The initial BLP created by a non-GSoW editor about Henry was then expanded by at least seven GSoW and closely related editors to create a highly negative BLP heavily reliant on these sources. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tyler_Henry&type=revision&diff=963322756&oldid=715806181] (Self disclosed: Wyatt Tyrone Smith, Rp2006, Robincantin, VdSV9, Krelnik; per BilledMammal: Efefvoc2/CatCafe, Drobertpowell)

===Creating sources to support POVs===

Sgerbic has described how sources were created to add POVs in articles. In one case, she used a fake name to join a webinar by a BLP subject she was in a dispute with, asked questions related to the dispute, then provided a recording to a journalist. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4fsjrosUsk 28:00-32:44] The resulting article was added by a GSoW member. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeanette_Wilson&diff=960799259&oldid=960797448] (Rp2006)

===Responses===

I agree with Shibbolethink that a COI should not be a concern in regard to a skeptic simply writing about topics of interest to skeptics. However, theythis areinvolves activelya workingclose connection between off-wiki to discredit individuals, and then writing about their activities in the target's BLPs. That is a clear COI: per the British politics case, "[[Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/BLP_issues_on_British_politics_articles#Off-wiki_controversies_and_biographical_material|an editor who is involved in an offon-wiki controversy or dispute with another individual should generally refrain from editing articles related to that individual]]"actions.

In regard to Johnuniq, a) this is a long term problem, so diffs displaying how this has been an issue for an extended time make sense; b) in regard to stings, the problem is not writing about them, but writing about them when there is a blatant COI; and 3) due to the nature of Wikipedia any problem can be fixed, but this does not mean that we should allow the problems to occur.

==Evidence presented by TrangaBellam==

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*While I’m aware of [[WP:2WRONGS]], examples of improper behavior by A.C.Santacruz are needed for context; she is a named party here and part of the scope.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism_and_coordinated_editing&diff=1067342403&oldid=1067342329]

*This started with a disagreement with A.C.Santacruz on [[Sharon A. Hill]] between her and three other editors, including me. Her edit concerned a seemingly unjustified deletion of a large block of text with 11 citations.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sharon_A._Hill&diff=1057018470&oldid=1055570570&diffmode=source] Confronted with the resistance to her deletion attempt, A.C.Santacruz then "investigated" me, took it to ANI[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest/Noticeboard#User:Rp2006] with a COI (should be SELFSITE) allegation, and attempted to OUT ([[WP:DOX]]) me. When I reported this violation to WP administration, they purged her posts. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Sharon_A._Hill&diff=1060655895&oldid=1060654317]

*But the damage was done. Before the purge, editors read the info, resulting in my (assumed) IRL identity now being openly discussed.[https://wikipediocracy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12429] Note that just 1 of the 11 citations involved alleged SELFCITE material, which, in any case, another editor had added long ago. This snowballed into claims that I generally engage in SELFCITING, and have COIs with most anyone ever affiliated with CSI, (skeptics and scientists), and perhaps even the broader scientific/skeptic community and topics. (See claims by others here, including BilledMammal's complaint [[Debunker]] and [[Mediumship]] should be off limits to me.)

*Her claims of contrition for the “unintentional” OUTING seems questionable due to her harassment of me on my Talk page, including a second OUTING attempt. (“the article that started this whole mess says Hill '''thanked him''' for an edit on her page”) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest/Noticeboard?diff=prev&oldid=1063983684&diffmode=source]

*She justified her actions based on my lack of ‘taking proper precautions’: “How is it my fault they didn't take proper precautions before deciding to base the overwhelming majority of their edits in articles … I will never know.” [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:A._C._Santacruz&diff=1060686858&oldid=1060686488]

*Inappropriate behavior regarding the admin response: [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Sharon_A._Hill&diff=next&oldid=1060656391]

*She asked questions on my Talk page she characterized as "friendly," but which were not: "I'm being friendly and giving Rp an opportunity to disclose his association willingly before taking another route."[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&oldid=1063639958#On_Hill talk page] An admin responded, calling this “creepy” saying "There is no planet on which these questions would be regarded as friendly".[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=1063489333&oldid=1063488436]

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===Response to Bilby evidence===

You (and others) have conflated those who do stings (the Guerilla Skeptics) with those who work on WP (the GSoW team). You made corrections, but others may have not.

===Response to ScottishFinnishRadish evidence===

*I was unaware that BLP rules applied to userspace, but have reviewed the guidelines. I believe that the descriptions I had used can be backed-up by material from the articles, but I have changed to less controversial descriptions anyway, and intend to be more careful in userspace.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Rp2006&diff=1066575229&oldid=1066574904&diffmode=source][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Rp2006&diff=1066576718&oldid=1066575857&diffmode=source][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Rp2006&diff=1066574904&oldid=1066569173&diffmode=source]

*Regarding your complained here that “[he] calls DS/alert template harrassment”: I stand by that in this instance. I have edited BLPs extensively for many years, but the first time anyone ever added this to my page was in real-time during a dispute on the [[Thomas John (medium)]] page. Ironically I am the originator of this article. In context it seemed the intent was to scare me off, and win the edit argument. When challenged I was told it was just SOP. I did not observe the several editors representing the other side of the argument add this warning to one another’s pages. Hmmm.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=1064633511&oldid=1064525606&diffmode=source]

===Conclusion===

*I was only able to address a portion of the evidence, but must note that it has been gathered by people going through my large body of work to find things to present negative things in support of their own POV. This is the epitome of [[Cherry picking]]. The examples usedExamples were selected from themy 13,200+ edits made over 6 years. This involves 1,880+ pages, ~67% in article space, with ~90% being still “live”. [https://xtools.wmflabs.org/ec/en.wikipedia.org/Rp2006]

*My work includes writing two BLP Good Articles: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rp2006#My_two_%22Good_Articles%22], and in all I have created 7 articles from scratch, and substantially rewrote ~20 others.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rp2006#My_most_significant_articles] Six ran as DYKs in 4 separate years.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rp2006#My_six_DYK_articles]

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*I have not been previously blocked/banned, and avoid admin issues/debates, preferring to spend my time actually improving and creating articles. In fact, I think this represents my first involvement with ArbCom, ANI or any other admin action since I created an account in 2006.

*When these facts are considered, I hope it is determined that an admin action against my WP account would be a net deficit to the WP project.

==Evidence presented by Sgerbic==

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- the oft repeated view that skeptical editors are hugely valuable in protecting us from harmful fringe is true. Extensive engagement with fringe pushers is liable to be frustrating. Hence there is a case for being less quick to sanction skeptics, even if they let their stress cause them to be uncivil to mainstream editors. And I see no reasons why they cant be allowed a reasonable amount of off-wiki coordination, as afforded to several other groups. But Roxy could benefit from a reminder about WP:Civil, or possibly even a caution.

==Evidence presented by {yourRoxy userthe name}dog==

I am not, and have never been, a member of "GSoW" or "Guerilla Skeptics".

Much of my editing could be said to be co-ordinated by Talk pages, Noticeboards and Projects. I often vote at AfD's where I was canvassed by notifications on Project pages, as do many others. I do not co-ordinate off-wiki.

Note that in my "messing ... " comment, recently highlighted, I responded to an accusation of being in the pay of Google or Government. In full, it read - "Neither Google nor Government, I'm just messing with your head." -[[User:Roxy the dog|'''Roxy''' <small> the dog</small>.]] [[User talk:Roxy the dog|'''wooF''']] 15:45, 31 January 2022 (UTC)

==Evidence presented by Alexbrn==

; On COI and "backwards editing"

# [[WP:COI]] says a conflict of interest on Wikipedia exists when an editor's external relationships "[[WP:EXTERNALREL|could reasonably be said to undermine]]" an editor's primary purpose of furthering the interests of Wikipedia.

# [[WP:BESTSOURCES]] recommends as a key way of achieving [[WP:NPOV]] is basing content on the "best respected and most authoritative reliable sources".

# Until this drama, the ''Skeptical Inquirer'' has not been an especially controversial source on Wikipedia (it has no entry on [[WP:RSP]] which would indicate frequent controversy). It has its opponents, but has also been approved by established (presumably non-GSoW) editors.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Fringe_theories/Noticeboard&diff=1059382089&oldid=1059379927][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Neutral_point_of_view/Noticeboard&diff=828978032&oldid=828976653][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/Noticeboard&diff=700950435&oldid=700940351] as {{u|JzG}} comments (last preceding diff), "reliable for their areas of specialist interest".

# The much cited Gerbic [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/learn-to-edit-wikipedia-like-a-gsow-editorndashbackwards-editing/ blog post] says "Not always will a backwards edit fit cleanly into a Wikipedia article, it is a matter of opinion in some cases, and if you are unsure it is possible to discuss the edit first ...".

; Labelling editors and acting on content

# ''Background'': In March/April 2021 in one of her last substantial editing actions, {{u|SlimVirgin}} performed a substantial cleanup[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Susan_Gerbic&type=revision&diff=1016406945&oldid=1014315771] of the [[Susan Gerbic]] article to make it BLP and generally policy compliant, removing the <nowiki>{{COI}}</nowiki> tag in the process.

# In November 2022, {{u|A. C. Santacruz}} on [[Talk:Susan Gerbic]] proposed that "This article must be permanently tagged w COI tags", giving as part of the rationale a long list of "major contributors", including SlimVirgin who "have strong interests in Skepticism".[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Susan_Gerbic&diff=1053337451&oldid=1053331875] ACS twice tries to add the COI tag accordingly.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Susan_Gerbic&diff=1053328430&oldid=1049929811][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Susan_Gerbic&diff=1053329660&oldid=1053328670]

== Summary of private evidence received by ArbCom ==

The Arbitration Committee accepted private evidence in this case. Like with all evidence, Arbitrators, including the drafters, will make individual decisions on how much weight to give to each piece of submitted evidence. In making this decision Arbitrators will consider how the evidence complies with the [[WP:ARBPOL|Arbitration Policy]] on private evidence and the community feedback offered in the [[Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee/Anti-harassment_RfC#Request_for_Comment|2020 anti-harassment RfC]].

The Committee has received the following categories of private evidence:

*The identity of specific editors and their membership in GSoW. This includes both first-person disclosures (noting that they are a member) and third-party evidence (suggesting another editor's identity and/or membership).

*GSoW training materials and methods

*Accusations of GSoW coordinated editing

*GSoW structure

The following evidence was received privately as part of longer evidence submissions but involves public information:

''before using the last evidence template, please make a copy for the next person''

*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:ListFiles?limit=50&user=1Veertje&ilshowall=1

==={Write your assertion here}===

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Allianz_vun_Humanisten,_Atheisten_an_Agnostiker&oldid=689850580

Place argument and diffs which support your assertion; for example, your first assertion might be "So-and-so engages in edit warring", which should be the title of this section. Here you would show specific edits to specific articles which show So-and-so engaging in edit warring.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amardeo_Sarma&oldid=791622403,

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CSICon&diff=prev&oldid=1019298549

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deborah_Hyde&oldid=688382014

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deej&diff=prev&oldid=1062789746)

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doris_Bither_case&diff=prev&oldid=1053010312

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Loftus&diff=prev&oldid=1052843975

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Enlightenment_Now&type=revision&diff=838089810&oldid=837824756

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johan_Braeckman&oldid=681273455

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johan_Braeckman&type=revision&diff=681273455&oldid=664771577,

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leonora_Piper&diff=prev&oldid=835595885

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Momo_Challenge_hoax&oldid=855911813

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sharon_A._Hill&type=revision&diff=852831405&oldid=849325378&diffmode=visual

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Dybbuk_box&diff=prev&oldid=1002398320

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Goop_Lab&oldid=934458671

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=prev&oldid=1053760591

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=prev&oldid=1053869334

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents&diff=prev&oldid=1053594455

*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents&diff=prev&oldid=1053598519

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Kenny_Biddle

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/The_Dybbuk_box

*https://sigma.toolforge.org/editorinteract.py?users=JohnnyBflat&users=CatCafe&users=Sgerbic&users=Rp2006&users=Wyatt+Tyrone+Smith

*https://sigma.toolforge.org/editorinteract.py?users=Rp2006&users=Poorlyglot&users=KoKoCorvid&users=Sgerbic&users=ScienceExplains&users=Dustinlull&users=Boneso

*https://sigma.toolforge.org/editorinteract.py?users=Rp2006&users=Sgerbic&users=Alhill42

*https://xtools.wmflabs.org/blame/en.wikipedia.org/Skeptical_Inquirer/?q=pensar

*https://xtools.wmflabs.org/blame/en.wikipedia.org/Skeptics%20in%20the%20Pub/?q=skeptical%20inquirer

*https://xtools.wmflabs.org/blame/en.wikipedia.org/Stichting%20Skepsis/?q=Inquirer

Under policy and procedure we are unable to provide other information about private evidence at this time and may not be able to answer questions about this information.

==={Write your assertion here}===

Place argument and diffs which support the second assertion; for example, your second assertion might be "So-and-so makes personal attacks", which should be the title of this section. Here you would show specific edits where So-and-so made personal attacks.