Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard

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Welcome to Conflict of interest Noticeboard (COIN)
Sections older than 14 days archived by Lowercase sigmabot III. (For help, see Wikipedia:Purge) This Conflict of interest/Noticeboard (COIN) page is for determining whether a specific editor has a conflict of interest (COI) for a specific article and whether an edit by a COIN-declared COI editor meets a requirement of the Conflict of Interest guideline. A conflict of interest may occur when an editor has a close personal or business connection with article topics. Post here if you are concerned that an editor has a COI, and is using Wikipedia to promote their own interests at the expense of neutrality. For content disputes, try proposing changes at the article talk page first and otherwise follow the Wikipedia:Dispute resolution procedural policy.
You must notify any editor who is the subject of a discussion. You may use {{subst:coin-notice}} ~~~~ to do so.
Additional notes: This page should only be used when ordinary talk page discussion has been attempted and failed to resolve the issue, such as when an editor has repeatedly added problematic material over an extended period. Do not post personal information about other editors here without their permission. Non-public evidence of a conflict of interest can be emailed to paid-en-wpwikipedia.org for review by a functionary. If in doubt, you can contact an individual functionary or the Arbitration Committee privately for advice. The COI guideline does not absolutely prohibit people with a connection to a subject from editing articles on that subject. Editors who have such a connection can still comply with the COI guideline by discussing proposed article changes first, or by making uncontroversial edits. COI allegations should not be used as a "trump card" in disputes over article content. However, paid editing without disclosure is prohibited. Consider using the template series {{Uw-paid1}} through {{Uw-paid4}}. Your report or advice request regarding COI incidents should include diff links and focus on one or more items in the COI guideline. In response, COIN may determine whether a specific editor has a COI for a specific article. There are three possible outcomes to your COIN request: 1. COIN consensus determines that an editor has a COI for a specific article. In response, the relevant article talk pages may be tagged with {{Connected contributor}}, the article page may be tagged with {{COI}}, and/or the user may be warned via {{subst:uw-coi|Article}}. 2. COIN consensus determines that an editor does not have a COI for a specific article. In response, editors should refrain from further accusing that editor of having a conflict of interest. Feel free to repost at COIN if additional COI evidence comes to light that was not previously addressed. 3. There is no COIN consensus. Here, Lowercase sigmabot III will automatically archive the thread when it is older than 14 days. Once COIN declares that an editor has a COI for a specific article, COIN (or a variety of other noticeboards) may be used to determine whether an edit by a COIN-declared COI editor meets a requirement of the Wikipedia:Conflict of interest guideline.
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D0kkaebi

Edit warring around François Asselineau involving a leader of his party

• Articles: François Asselineau (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Popular Republican Union (2007) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• User: D0kkaebi (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Users reported by D0kkaebi in the related WP:AN/I thread: Azurfrog (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - Schlum (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - Oliv0 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - Lebob (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

(last 3 users separated for clarity: Oliv0 (talk) 07:09, 19 September 2015 (UTC))

D0kkaebi recently started a thread on Administrators'_noticeboard/Incident. The ensuing discussion led to the conclusion that the underlying Conflict of Interest should have been reported here, which I am doing now (even though I am totally new to such requests).

To sum it up:

• D0kkaebi has long been suspected, here and on fr:WP, of being a high-ranking member of François Asselineau's Popular Republican Union (2007). His name is believed to appear in the organization chart of this small French political party (under the tab listing the "Delegates abroad", "Délégués à l'étranger").

Azurfrog (talk) 09:16, 11 September 2015 (UTC) Signature copied here by Brianhe for clarity

Discussion of problem by Azurfrog and Oliv0, 11 September 2015–13 September 2015

Reasons for this suspicion: D0kkaebi appears to be a single-purpose account contributing nearly exclusively to articles centering on François Asselineau or his party. His only other significant contributions seem to be about Korean subjects such as Yakgwa (which of course increases the suspicion about his role as a delegate in the Far East, even though he never edited Dokkaebi himself). D0kkaebi was previously known here as Lawren00, which links directly to his current username. This change might have been caused by the wish to avoid easily connecting Lawren00 to UPR, while replacing it by a connection to the spirits in Korean folklore. A quick research on the web linking Lawren00 and UPR ("UPR", Popular Republican Union, "Union Populaire Républicaine" in French) will lead to a Facebook account introducing the UPR delegate in Korea. Another very basic search simply linking "Twitter" and "Lawren00" leads to a Twitter account in Seoul, Korea, under the username of the UPR delegate and Lawren00. Now, this has extensively been discussed on the French WP, on which Lawren00/D0kkaebi was very active at a time on the same articles; but this is not the point. The problem here is that D0kkaebi has taken a rather aggressive stand on these articles without ever disclosing his - highly probable - affiliation with UPR, leading to overdeveloped (and initially overblown) articles, the bias of which is all the more difficult to correct as most editors are unfamiliar with these subjects and largely unable to extensively read the French sources. I am at a loss how to deal properly with the matter: reaching a consensus on the talk pages could be reasonably easy, but D0kkaebi/Lawren00 repeatedly gave us to understand that only the edits approved by him were legit on these articles (here, for instance), resorting to a lot of edit warring and a wide array of procedural actions. Azurfrog (talk) 09:16, 11 September 2015 (UTC) To help answer the question of a COI or not, I note that in the Facebook page mentioned above (written by "François Asselineau - Union Populaire Républicaine", exactly the relevant WP pages here), at the end under the title "What does the position of Delegate consist of?" (en quoi consiste le poste de délégué) there is a list of "areas of activist work" (axes de travail militant) and the 4th point is "developing the notoriety of PRU globally" (développer la notoriété de l'UPR de façon globale), as opposed to doing so in the same country in the first points — and this can include Wikipedia. Oliv0 (talk) 13:14, 11 September 2015 (UTC) Please note: I tried my best to explain how a few basic queries on the web would permit to reasonably ascertain that a conflict of interest existed, without ever revealing a name or any other personal information that wouldn't be obtainable through these basic queries. However, as this is the first time I ever placed such a request, I may have erred. So please delete as need be anything that would not comply with WP policy: my purpose is not to out anyone, just to show that readily available public, unredacted information leads to the belief that a conflict of interest does exist. I must add that I find all this rather tricky: how can anyone complain about any conflict of interest without explaining why, with enough specific details to show that it is not an idle complaint? --Azurfrog (talk) 21:35, 13 September 2015 (UTC)

Amplification by Francis Le français, 14 September 2015

Very very funny, shall I open a new case for outing? The 4 users totally ignored the comment written in bold and red at the top of the edit page "When investigating possible cases of conflict of interest editing, editors must be careful not to out other editors. Wikipedia's policy against harassment takes precedence over the conflict of interest guideline". A relent of habitual behavior from the French Wikipedia? Azurfrog (talk), let me give you an advice, you have to prove that my contributions to the article are not neutral and obviously bias in favor of the party. The other accusation will have to go through email. Admins will correct me if I am wrong. Regarding my contribution to the article, let's divide that into 2, since I am accused of being non-neutral on 2 topics. Francois Asselineau Article: Note that it is been a year that I did not write a line in the article. The special task force made of French wiki admins organized into a crew ruined my willing to enrich the article. When 5 users of the French admins started their modification without prior discussion, I ask them to discuss the changes on the talk to find consensus since other experienced and neutral user Ravenswing advised to do so. My suggestions were received with personal attacks. Please note that their attitude ruined the willing to contribute to the article to many neutral contributors such as Ravenswing or Aya Laglare. UPR article: I am certainly the user who bring the most contribution to the article. And since this article is a very "hot" topic in France, it receives constantly the visit of vandals either from UPR militants like here or here and anti-UPR militants like here or here. So I spent lot of my time protecting the article against both of them. Sometimes, some neutral users try to really improve the article. And I always welcome the change. I will give you a full example, so that you can understand the way I act. Regarding the positioning of the party, majority of sources were indicating "neither Right nor Left (wing)" and this is what I wrote in the article. Then, someday an IP suggested to change into "syncretic". I honestly did not know the meaning of the term, but after checking it, I was thinking that it may be a more concise summary of "Neither right nor left", so I left it in the article. Then, Ravenswing brought a change in the article by indicating that "centrism" would be a better translation for English native. Since I disagree, I brought the change on the talk page to explain why I think it might not be the proper term. As I failed to convince him, I was ok to stick to his suggestion, because I know this user is undoubtedly neutral. But Azurfrog and his crew, in line with their usual method of doing, just removed that from the article, and justified that change with personal attacks. It leaded to an edit war and of course a notice for edit war where you can see all the explanation on this Azurfrog's crew way of doing. I guess it gives an idea on who is neutral and who is not. D0kkaebi (talk) 04:40, 14 September 2015 (UTC) D0kkaebi lies (i know it's a strong word) about history and the sources. I demonstrate that on the talk page several times. D0kkaebi don't respect the wikipedia's rules about sources (WP:NEWSBLOG WP:VERIFY etc ) and he tries to have a "false-consensus" on bad source not reliable... [1] he invites on talk page but his (weak)reponse goes by 4 months after. [2] [3] he calls vandalism everything ! [4] he protects bad sources [5] WP:OR [6] & [7] & [8] POV and addition of bad sources, redundant information, lie ("nearly" say the source named valeurs actuelles, he writes "more" it's a POV lie) [9] addition of bad sources (one doesn't speak of the subject) [10] removes a critical source [11] lie and POV about the source + false explanation cause no consensus on talk/discussion page = second lie all the same with false explanations that change each time = war edit [12] & [13] & [14] & [15] & [16] & [17] & [18] removes a critical source, canceling , addition of bad sources. lies again, "notably" and "one of" are not in the source = POV lie. All information on PRU talk page. He selects only positive informations about his party (PRU / asselineau) and tries to erase the criticism sources. I think it's a big big conflict of interest. --Francis Le français (talk) 07:51, 14 September 2015 (UTC)

rebuttal by D0kkaebi, rebuttal to rebuttal by Francis Le français, 15 September 2015

Just for information, Francis was blocked for a day for edit war and since that did not contain him from making same changes in the article, another case in on-going. So let me answer point one by one: Removal of 4 sourced information without explanation: Of course I revert and invite to discuss on talk page. Same change, same revert. Same change + removal of political positioning (neither right nor left) which is sourced here, here, here, here and here + questioning about validity of Radio Quebec source which is answered on the talk page here Request of "citations" for an already multi sourced information (neither right not left) Same changes as above, no justification Suppression of Lamayenneonadore local news website sourced information, no justification For that, I opened a new section in the talk page Removal of Dauphine source because Francis claims the article does not mention the political positioning even though the conclusion of the article is "We are beyond the right and the left" (nous transcendons la gauche et la droite). Of course, I revert. Here Francis claims Asselineau is member of UMP party when the source is saying that at the counsel of Paris, Asselineau sits with the UMP party. In France it is possible to sit with a party without being member of the party like Gilbert Collard is sitting with FN without being a member of FN. D0kkaebi (talk) 00:59, 15 September 2015 (UTC) More lies of a new genre: use a subject to hide all others, giving inaccuracies, making diversions. Your POV and WP:OR or bad sources (Lamayenneonadore) aren't legitimate justifications. IP open a subject on talk page with explanation - you revert for 4 months without any you calls vandalism a perfect change by ip with explanation on talk page ! a source that didn't match to WP:VERIFY (choq fm) you doesn't respond. Your explanation are WP:OR (original research) already warning. A information multi bad sourced is none, is wrong and is bad. Do you understand ? lie ("nearly" say the source named valeurs actuelles, he writes "more" it's a POV lie). You don't explain that and hide beyond some other subject.. Lamayenneonadore isn't a reliable source. this was explained to you several times. open a new section of talk page don't give you the right to erase all criticism... The source doesn't contain the word "centrist" = Lie. Your POV and OR are wrong and lie. lies again, "notably" and "one of" are not in the source = POV lie. explain on that ? --Francis Le français (talk) 10:37, 15 September 2015 (UTC)

More information and request for action by Oliv0, 18 September 2015–9 October 2015 – part 1

Note: I am back and I see this is going the same way as the absence of decision on WP:AN/3RR (added: and WP:AN/I), so let me summarize. The articles about François Asselineau and his party PRU are subject to PRU's activism on all Wikipedias (at one time the article about Asselineau existed in 102 Wikipedias), keeping them neutral needs more time than these little-known party and party leader are worth (this was one of the main points in the French AfD). Now Determining D0kkaebi's WP:COI (shown by Azurfrog above) will clarify things about his predominant role on the corresponding talk pages and will thus help keep the articles neutral, even if the arrival of new PRU activists is predictable. His accusations of "outing" when showing his COI, made here and at WP:AN/I, are probably groundless, else admins would already have removed the corresponding descriptions and links, but anyway if the limits of "outing" have been reached when saying he is a local party leader and using Google links that may lead to his legal name (interviews and social network accounts which he of course willingly published), then the solution is easy: remove and oversight these words (including mine now) and send them to functionaries-enlists.wikimedia.org, which would not mean any change in the reasons for this COI/N. Oliv0 (talk) 09:39, 18 September 2015 (UTC)

Evidence for COI

by Oliv0 – part 2

Let me summarize again the evidence given above for D0kkaebi/Lawren00's COI: "A quick research on the web linking Lawren00 and UPR ("UPR", Popular Republican Union, "Union Populaire Républicaine" in French) will lead to a Facebook account introducing the UPR delegate in Korea" (Azurfrog, 09:16 UTC, 11 September 2015), and this Facebook page answers the question "What does the position of Delegate consist of?" with a list of "areas of activist work" among which "developing the notoriety of PRU globally". (Oliv0, 13:14 UTC, 11 September 2015) → so far no Lawren00 except in Google's associations but wait; The UPR delegate mentioned on this Facebook page also appears unsurprisingly "in the organization chart of this small French political party (under the tab listing the "Delegates abroad", "Délégués à l'étranger")" (Azurfrog, 09:16/10:45 UTC, 11 September 2015) with a contact email starting with "lawren00@" → first link between the UPR delegate and the name Lawren00; "Another very basic search simply linking "Twitter" and "Lawren00" leads to a Twitter account in Seoul, Korea, under the username of the UPR delegate and Lawren00" (Azurfrog, 09:16/10:16 UTC, 11 September 2015) → second link between these; Lawren00/D0kkaebi's contributions show "a single-purpose account contributing nearly exclusively to articles centering on François Asselineau or his party. His only other significant contributions seem to be about Korean subjects" (Azurfrog, 09:16 UTC, 11 September 2015) → link between name Lawren00 on the Internet and on WP. Also note that the topic here is determining the COI, the actual bias is off topic here as per WP:COI "Conflict of interest is not about actual bias", as WP:COIBIAS explains in detail. Oliv0 (talk) 06:11, 25 September 2015 (UTC)

Evidence for bias

by Oliv0 – part 3

I can see nothing will happen here if I do not follow Huon's advice on my talk page, so it seems I am forced by COI/N rules to show the actual bias, though I am sorry to worsen tensions this way and I thought the evidence for COI would be enough as explained in WP:COIBIAS. 21 February 2011: "patriotism", a positive word without a source 6 March 2011: making "Popular Republican Union" a disambiguation page with Popular Republican Union (2007) instead of keeping the name for the "dominant party in Alsace during the Interwar era" 9 March 2011: in the source added (now on archive.org) no mention of "the second highest honors" 27 March 2011: "patriotism" again for PRU though not in the source given (at the time this text on archive.org), which is the PRU website 9 March 2012: Asselineau in the ENA article among "famous alumni", all much more famous 25 March 2012: hiding the poor result (17 signatures out of the 500 needed) behind the need for secondary sources, the source removed is a video of Asselineau himself giving this number in his official declaration, a correct source since he cannot be suspected of giving a worse result 4 April 2012: same thing, now unsourced after he removed the source 9 April 2012: PRU in list of French parties with political position "gaul[l]ism, euroscepticism", gaullism is a positive word without a source 29 October 2013: Asselineau's thoughts on vocabulary in article Euroscepticism are hardly relevant 2 November 2013: "Gaullism" added (would need an independent source) and at the same time removal of PRU website source about not claiming to be gaullist and still being most gaullist of all 30 March 2014: removing as "vandalism" several good changes: the poor result of 17 signatures whose source he previously removed, the removal of "the second highest honors" not present in the source, the removal of "thoughtful" as a bad translation of the source sérieux ("serious" candidates, as opposed here to fantaisistes "fanciful, strange ones") 2 October 2014: removing as "no connection with political platform" a passage with a source (Le Plus, collaborative but here edited by a journalist Louise Pothier) about Asselineau's accusations against Le Pen/Front National, Bush and Marianne 12 October 2014: undoing as "ultra bias" (and trying to control through "expose your changes one by one" on talk page) a rewrite with some correct sources and in a rather neutral style 20 February 2015: reintroducing "neither right nor left" without an independent source (only the party PRU says so) and membership figures quoted from the party (though maybe all parties do so) - many similar changes follow in an episodic edit war with IPs and then with User:Francis Le français 8 July 2015: removing newspaper Sud-Ouest showing doubts about membership figures (which also says Asselineau is "anchored at the right of the right") 24 July 2015: insisting with a ref ("the last sentence of the article") on "centrist", a bad translation of the source where Asselineau says (primary source, insufficient here) "we are beyond (transcendons) right and left" 30 July 2015: "Gaullism" back, and moderating PRU's claim they are "the most visited French political party website" by "one of" not present in the source (le plus consulté) - many similar changes follow in an edit war with User:Francis Le français 9 September 2015: undoing my changes, though I explained them and then checked about the COI with Lawren00 and warned about it on the talk page, which brought me to WP:AN/I for "personal attack" and "outing", and then here. Oliv0 (talk) 23:32, 9 October 2015 (UTC)

Restart

Pardon me for folding the big discussion above, but this needs a restart. It seems reasonable for an uninvolved editor to ask D0kkaebi if he is a PRU party official, given that his former username on Wikipedia is the same as the name of a Twitter handle used by a party official, plus I'd call this self-outing by giving the full name of the real-world person involved. The COIN process can go from there. – Brianhe (talk) 00:38, 10 October 2015 (UTC)

There's a new template, based on Jytdog's way of handling COI questions: Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Question (includes documentation). This has been posted to User talk:D0kkaebi which seems to be as much as needs to be done at the moment. He hasn't edited since a month ago. - Brianhe (talk) 16:31, 10 October 2015 (UTC)

IMHO we should let sleeping dogs lie... Vrac (talk) 19:07, 10 October 2015 (UTC)

Some of them never sleep. Oliv0 (talk) 19:23, 10 October 2015 (UTC)

Interesting, so could a francophone tell me, is this Groupe Wiki de l’UPR – Cybermilitantisme an active group/force on the French Wikipedia? Maybe what we've seen here is essentially spillover from a wider issue. – Brianhe (talk) 21:49, 10 October 2015 (UTC)

Have you seen the (most recent) ANI thread? This battle has been going on for about 5 years and has spilled over into most of the wikiverse. There is a lot of history here. Vrac (talk)

Also see my conclusion after your analysis there: "after determining D0kkaebi's COI will have clarified things about his predominant role on the corresponding talk pages, now keeping the two articles neutral against the predictable arrival of new PRU activists will suppose keeping constant watch", meaning that your suggestion to "bury the hatchet" (WP:DEADHORSE) cannot solve the problem.

And to answer Brianhe's question: that "PRU wiki group" was only an ad-hoc group reporting on how Wikipedia is unfair and biased about Asselineau, I was hinting at their "national manager for Internet activism" (last sentence says Internet helps against Asselineau's "ban from the media", no details but WP is not the primary goal). Oliv0 (talk) 05:37, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

You (collectively, the frwiki editors) have been on this crusade for years (absurd, absurder, absurdest) so I'm not likely to dissuade you. I'll leave you with a sentence from the German AFD as food for thought: Lehrreicher Fall von Cross Wiki Anti Spam Spamming. Wiki Jagdfieber (translation: Instructive case of "Cross-Wiki Anti-Spam Spamming". Wiki witch-hunt fever.) Vrac (talk) 11:01, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

This is something I mentioned above (beginning of the closed box "part 1"), the article about Asselineau once in 102 Wikipedias, now 20 after a cross-wiki action warned about the French AfD, which may have been spam against spam but was helpful to the 82 (!) WPs that deleted it. Anyway, anything else than the COI report is off topic here. Oliv0 (talk) 11:47, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

I'm not so sure it is off-topic. Perhaps the COIN case is just another angle to continue the same crusade. Vrac (talk) 14:47, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

Whoever reports it, it is useful to determine whether there is a COI because of WP:COI "COI editing is strongly discouraged". Oliv0 (talk) 16:31, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

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• AstanaKaz (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• 85.115.158.14 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• 80.57.226.132 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• NielsenR9 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• U5E1234 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• C0ntribut0rrr1 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• KairatM (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Consistently sanitised content, to the point that it is encyclopedically useless. The article Elections in Kazakhstan for example contains no mention of the fact that elections in the country are widely considered a "travesty", to quote The Guardian.

The accounts named above are typically red-linked single-purpose accounts focusing exclusively on Kazakhstan articles.

Previous concerns by Alex2006 and NeilN: Talk:Kazakhstan#Observation_on_content.

Prior press reports detailing PR and Kazakh government involvement in Wikipedia:

• Kazakhstan: Top-Notch PR Firms Help Brighten Astana’s Image,
• Tinkering with Wikipedia part of Kazakh government’s PR strategy?
• Wikipedia Founder Distances Himself from Kazakhstan PR Machine
• Kazakhstan Pays for Academic Reports
• APCO Worldwide wraps short-term Kazakhstan outreach work — Preceding unsigned comment added by Johnshopkinsclass2015 (talk • contribs) 17:46, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

Given that the last one of these press articles reports that Johns Hopkins University took money from the Kazakh regime for academic reports, it is striking that Human rights in Kazakhstan quotes a laudatory Johns Hopkins report prominently in the lead.

There is of course an abundance of sources critical of the Kazakh regime – just check mainstream newspapers' reports on human rights in Kazakhstan, or the Kazakhstan report of any reputable human rights org (example: "Kazakhstan heavily restricts freedom of assembly, speech, and religion. In 2014, authorities closed newspapers, jailed or fined dozens of people after peaceful but unsanctioned protests, and fined or detained worshipers for practicing religion outside state controls. Government critics, including opposition leader Vladimir Kozlov, remained in detention after unfair trials ... Torture remains common in places of detention." – Human Rights Watch; not the impression you'd get from reading Wikipedia).

It's just that they're either not reflected, or deleted, as in this case (the accurately cited source was page 55 of [19]), or drowned out by masses and masses of fluff to the point where any critical content is lost in a sea of boring bureaucratic details.

The overall effect is that Wikipedia supports the Kazakh government agenda, to the extent that I've seen a Kazakh embassy tweet the Wikipedia article on Kazakhstan. [20] Andreas JN466 12:14, 18 September 2015 (UTC)

I can only totally agree with Andreas. I have the Kazakhstan page on my watchlist, and can confirm that since many months an avalanche of "news" in soviet-bureaucratic style are reducing the information contained in this article to noise. These edits are performed by brand news "users" who after being warned plainly disappear, only to be substituted by new ones. Alex2006 (talk) 12:37, 18 September 2015 (UTC)

Could these articles be semi-protected to make it more difficult for sockpuppetry and meatpuppetry? Also, checkuser? -- John Broughton (♫♫) 01:45, 19 September 2015 (UTC)

Elections in Kazakhstan should be rewound to the 2013 revision [21]. — Brianhe (talk) 04:44, 19 September 2015 (UTC)

Here is another example from President of Kazakhstan:

Kazakhstan's 5th presidential election was held on April 26, 2015.[6] Nursultan Nazarbayev was re-elected with 97,7% of the vote.[7] 858 observers from 19 countries were present at the polling stations during the election.[7] International and local observers have reported no significant violations.[7]

International observers from 19 countries commended the organization and transparency of the elections held on April 26 2015.[8] Politicians, professors, analysts and journalists from the US, Great Britain, Croatia, Latvia, etc. praised the openness of the electoral process and the transparency of voting procedures at the polling stations.[8]

This is cited to RT and the regime's own Astana Times. Here is what the BBC said: "The result, giving 74-year-old Mr Nazarbayev a fifth consecutive five-year term, had never been in doubt. [...] He ran virtually unopposed as his two opponents were both seen as pro-government." Here is what Aljazeera said: "The Central Asian country's marginalised opposition did not put forward any candidates for the election and Nazarbayev ran against two candidates widely seen as pro-government figures." None of that is in the article. Andreas JN466 06:29, 19 September 2015 (UTC)

I've added a section with international criticisms to the Elections in Kazakhstan article for balance, as this should not be whitewashed. Let's see how long it lasts. Valenciano (talk) 13:14, 19 September 2015 (UTC)

Does anyone have access to relevant Central Asian studies journals? JSTOR has Central Asiatic Journal, and the defunct Central Asia Monitor and extant Central Asian Survey should be relevant here, and much more trustworthy than the easily influenced news media. Speakers of Russian may do well to use Gosudarstvo Kazakhstan (not sure of the original title), giving the earlier history of the state, while anyone here should be able to use most of the 1,309 works that appear in WorldCat under the subject heading Kazakhstan--Politics and government. Nyttend (talk) 20:05, 19 September 2015 (UTC)

Thanks, Nyttend. The Oxford Handbook of the International Relations of Asia (2014, Oxford University Press), p. 601, quotes Marie Helene Cote, "A Sobering Reality: Fundamental Freedoms in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Twenty Years after the Soviet Collapse" for its assessment of the human rights situation in Kazakhstan ("Despite promises of gradual reform made by the authorities [...], the situation in Kazakhstan has deteriorated.") That's an Open Access document (pdf Google html cache) that would make a useful source for the "Human Rights" and "Rule of Law" sections of the Kazakhstan article, as well as the Human rights in Kazakhstan article, all of which are currently woefully inadequate.

Other openly available and fully up-to-date Kazakhstan country reports from organisations regularly cited in the academic literature include:

• Human Rights Watch
• Amnesty International
• Freedom House
• Netherlands Helsinki Committee

I'd suggest these could be summarised in the "Human Rights" and "Rule of Law" sections of the Kazakhstan article, and be used as major sources for content in the Human rights in Kazakhstan article. The current status reflects very poorly on Wikipedia. Andreas JN466 09:49, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

User:Dennis Brown has indefinitely semi-protected Kazakhstan per this request at WP:AN. If you want the others semi-protected, leave a request at WP:RFPP, pointing to this discussion. --Anthonyhcole (talk · contribs · email) 02:54, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

Thanks, Andreas JN466 09:49, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

Andreas, Human rights in Kazakhstan should probably be reverted to 14 March 2013 or thereabouts. I looked at a few with a view to adding semi-protection, but there haven't been enough recent edits to justify it, apart from the main article that Dennis protected. Sarah ^(talk) 00:39, 21 September 2015 (UTC)

Thanks, Sarah. The pace of these contributions is slow, almost glacial; it's just a constant drip-drip. But over time, articles have been built that consist entirely of contributions by accounts named above, apart from a couple of gnoming and bot edits; see [22] for example. Semi-protection wouldn't help, as these accounts aren't in a hurry and achieving autoconfirmation is trivial. Andreas JN466 08:32, 22 September 2015 (UTC)

• See also related Signpost op-ed: Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2015-10-07/Op-ed --Andreas JN466 17:50, 12 October 2015 (UTC)

Ravi Tripathi and others

Sample articles

• Ravi Tripathi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) (this is a testimonial on the website of the PR agency)
• Paul Myers (entrepreneur) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Golden Book of World Records (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y AfDed
• Suvigya Sharma (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) (deleted G11, refused undeletion and Refund, Refund discussion deleted from the archives and the article re-created)
• Bharat Gaurav Award (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y PROD by SpacemanSpiff
• Muzammil Ibrahim (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Mher Khachatryan (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) an article DGG took to AfD and was deleted despite multiple socks on that, now spammily re-created.

Accounts involved

• Jeeteshvaishya (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Jeeteshroxx (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (obvious sock of the above)
• Ratunj Tripathi (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Golu19 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - confirmed sock of Jeeteshvaishya

I don't think there's any outing issues here as they edit under the names, have photographs on etc, and their PR agency references the Wikipedia work as well as patroller status on hi.wiki. This edit to an archived discussion is quite suspicious too. They've been quite persistent in creating articles and have tried multiple approaches. There's obviously some other accounts that have to be either duck or SPI blocked. —SpacemanSpiff 12:46, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

• The editing at Suvigya Sharma looks like the Orangemoody activity, as we have this declined draft which morphed into this article via copy paste. In addition, this is cross-wiki and a ToU violation across both en and hi, not sure if there's a forum for that, I odn't see hi.wiki too concerned about COI anyway. —SpacemanSpiff 14:20, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

Implausible denials part I

Hi, @SpacemanSpiff:, It is quite hurtful. I am here denying your all the allegation. I'm not being paid by anyone. It's very hurtful, I'm emotionally attached to Wikipedia. As I'm contributing Wikipedia since I was just 15 years old. I have contributed a lot not only English but in Hindi Wikipedia as well. I have my an other account with Username Jeeteshroxx, as it was created by me when I lost my password of this account. Later i recalled my password from a rough book where I had written passwords of my Gmail, Facebook etc accounts. This is not a new thing you are saying, on Hindi Wikipedia many people knows, as it was previously discussed on Hindi Wikipedia. And i had given same clarification about Jeeteshroxx. When i had recovered password of this account, later when i came to know about that people cannot operate two accounts as per Wikipedia policy, i stopped using Jeeteshroxx. As you can see i am not using that account since long. You have pointed that I have edited Ravi Tripathi page. For your kind information, I just want to clear it that I do not no personally know Ravi Tripathi. I edited Ravi Tripathi article just because he hails from district of my native place. No any external link, I have. You have given a link of under constructing Blog, alleging that I am linked with any PR firm. No, No, I'm not linked with any of PR firm. And not even interested in it. Which link you given that was a Web designing & Software developing company, which is still not born. This company is being planned to be set up my village friend Rahul. And me and Rahul is not involved in any paid editing of Wikipedia article. Let me tell you about others. I created article Golden Book of World Records, when i had created series articles of world records like India Book of Records, and Asia Book of Records. behind creating these articles i had thought that, these are book of worlds records. it should have articles like Guinness Book and Limca book. So i just created. And about Suvigya Sharma, i came to know about this painter through a post shared by one of guy on Facebook. So i goggled about him with curiosity to know more about painter and i found enough media coverages about him, which passes notability guidelines. so created his page. When i was creating about his article i came to know that he received Bharat Gaurav Award, so i created an other article with name Bharat Gaurav Award, as i came to know about it that is one of the important international awards, given to Indians and Indian diaspora. no any personal connection with anyone neither Suvigya nor Bharat Gaurav Award. Your allegation sounds just a harassing to me. I edited Muzammil Ibrahim article by thinking to improve the article as it had some tags describing less references. Do not remember exactly, which tag was placed. About, Paul Myres, I read about him in News on 17 Sept. His story was quite inspiring. so goggled to know more about this man, and got enough media coverages about him. so created Wikipedia article about Paul Myers. And nothing. Well, I think, i should give bit introduction about myself. So that you can understand me in better way. I am pursuing Bachelor of Management studies in Marketing, I am poet by interest, writes in Hindi, i am art lover , I have bit knowledge about web designing, much attracted to know current affairs about politics, bureaucracy, business and arts. Here, I clearly denying your all the allegations. Personally, I do not believe in paid editing and conflict of interest. As it is not good for Wikipedia as it would defer the quality of article. Thank you.--Jeeteshvaishya (talk) 15:59, 20 September 2015 (UTC) Can you then explain the PR agency that you run along with the other partner (I see that you have now made the site subscriber only): archived link.?—SpacemanSpiff 16:04, 20 September 2015 (UTC) No, No it is a kind request please do not call it a PR agency. As i have clearly mentioned it that it is a Web designing & Software developing company, which is still not born. Rahul, who is my village friend Rahul, planning to open it but unfortunately he is not much concentrated over there as he is busy in his personal life, getting married in November. He has taken me in his company just because i have bit knowledge about web designing. There is only two people that is me and Rahul, no any partners. In my biography, whatever, he has updated is just to build my profile. As I'm marketing student of BMS. I have studies many subjects, including Public Relations in 5th semester. This is the reason why he has mention about PR. And about blog, I have said that it is in under construction, so no reason to make it live. And Again I'm clearly mentioning I have NO any affiliation with any PR related firm. Denying allegations. --Jeeteshvaishya (talk) 16:34, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

Sorry, you have to come clean on this. The cached copy clearly shows that you are in violation of the ToU and a testimonial from one of the article subjects. At this point, I don't see any recourse but to prevent you and your business partner from editing. —SpacemanSpiff 16:35, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

And then you're claiming here that you've never interacted with Ravi Tripathi, but here you claim otherwise. —SpacemanSpiff 16:38, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

User:Brianhe/COIbox24 has the ContributionSurveyor analysis for Jeeteshvaishya. Article creations by Jeeteshvaishya or Jeeteshroxx, as reported among the ContributionSurveyor top 20 results, subtracting purely geographic entities, are:

• Prem Lal Joshi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - business school professor
• Suvigya Sharma (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - artist/painter/designer/enterpreneur
• Ram Vilas Vedanti (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - politician
• Vinita Kinra (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - author/public speaker Y cleaned (some) Brianhe (talk)
• Guru Nanak High School, Mahim (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) _{not any different from other Indian high school articles. —SpacemanSpiff 06:19, 23 September 2015 (UTC)}
• Paul Myers (entrepreneur) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y PRODded - Brianhe (talk)
• Munishwar Dutt Upadhyay (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - politician
• Poets Corner Group (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - publisher Y Proposed merge Brianhe (talk)
• Saurabh Dudeja (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - author _{Despammed and prodded —SpacemanSpiff 20:14, 20 September 2015 (UTC)}
• Satyaveer Munna (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - politician
• Belha Devi Temple (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Uday Pratap Singh (Bhadri) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Ravi Tripathi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - created by Jeeteshroxx - singer _{possibly notable, I've despammed, someone else should check if it should go to AfD —SpacemanSpiff 06:19, 23 September 2015 (UTC)} Y AFD'ed by Dharmadhyaksha
• Jagdish Vyom (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y AfDed Brianhe (talk)
• Rajesh Baniya (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - "National level champion Sudoku solver and logic master" _{Removed fake and unreliable sources, Prodded, but a likely candidate for A7 too —SpacemanSpiff 19:06, 20 September 2015 (UTC)}
• Love You Forever Only In That Way (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) _{Despammed and prodded —SpacemanSpiff 20:14, 20 September 2015 (UTC)}

This list is completely consistent with publicity-seeking individuals and groups being written about by a PR agency. — Brianhe (talk) 18:39, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

• This seems to me quite a clear-cut case of undisclosed paid-editing, especially given the cached website for the PR agency, which was changed once this complaint was filed. I plan to indef. User:Jeeteshvaishya and his sock account for ToU violations and promotional editing but wanted to post here first to check if there are any precedents for/against such actions, and suggestions on how the articles should be best dealt. Abecedare (talk) 19:43, 20 September 2015 (UTC)
• The web page is unambiguous, that at least some of this is paid editing. We've sometimes given some degree of amnesty to previous undisclosed paid editor who have come clean, either of the own volition or after an accusation, but this is the opposite pole: not only undisclosed, but denied with an attempt to hide the evidence. I do not think we have a formal policy on blocking for TOU violations, but for ones of this nature I think we have so far had no hesitation in doing it. (In any case, promotional editing is a perfectly good block reason)

As for the articles, we seem to not have a policy that articles written by undeclared paid editors (before they are blocked) will be deleted. Even after they are blocked, we do not have a policy to delete them unless the paid editor is the only significant contributor. The Orangemoody case was an exception, and in my opinion a bad precedent. Of the articles listed here, Munishwar Dutt Upadhyay, Satyaveer Munna, Ram Vilas Vedanti and Guru Nanak High School, Mahim are unquestionably notable by our usual rules. Uday Pratap Singh (Bhadri) and Prem Lal Joshi are most likely notable also. Some of the entertainers may be also, but I cannot judge in that field. DGG ( talk ) 22:32, 20 September 2015 (UTC)

Another sudoku solver article, Rohan Rao, created by same user. I removed one ref that was a dead link and looked iffy as a source anyway. But some Indian press sources remain; he might actually be notable. — Brianhe (talk) 02:36, 21 September 2015 (UTC)

Implausible denials part II

@SpacemanSpiff: Your comment seems me quite ridiculous. I said no, means no. I do not know Ravi Tripathi personally and do not have any connection with. Why you guys do not understand that. I emailed him to just seek his permission for using his photo. And Nothing. If can see, when I had created Ravi Tripathi article, that time I picked some photos from Google and uploaded on Wiki Commons, as that time not had much knowledge about Wiki commons and copyright issue. Still I'm not familiar with Wiki Commons. I emailed him for seeking his permission just thinking that if I took permission then I can upload photos on Wiki Commons. But still I'm not able to give or prove that I took permission. Some photographs has been proposed for deletion now. Let me clear you again that I'm not linked with any Ravi Tripathi, I do not know whether my village friend has received any testimonial or not. Blog of Web designing and Software company was created by him only. As per my knowledge, he haven't received any testimonial, might be, he has made any false or fake testimonial. But if he had made any false statement on blog, I'm not going yo suffer it. And again saying and will say more 100 times, i'm not being compensated by anyone. Your are saying, business partner, It is ridiculous and rubbish. Company is still not born. How can you say that business partner. Haven't made any business. Nonsense. And yes, I will again say I haven't violated any rules of Wikipedia. Why you people do not understand, I'm a 20 years old guy, who is still studying, I'm student. And Mr you are saying you will prevent or stop me from editing Wikipedia. Oh please, do not say like that. Wikipedia is not yours. It is ours. It is our Wikipedia, I am contributing Wikipedia since I was just 15 years old. I'm proud Wikipedian.--Jeeteshvaishya (talk) 08:01, 21 September 2015 (UTC) Mr. Abecedare and Brianhe, I haven't made it clear that it is not a PR agency, why you don't get it. It is web designing and software developing company, which had planned to set up, but still not born. Just stop calli g it PR agency. I gain say big No, I haven't involved in any activities, that violates Wikipedia policy. @Abecedare: @Brianhe:, Repeatedly I am saying i'm not involved in such activity. I'm not being paid by anyone. And i'm not interested in it too. I respect Wikipedia's each and every norms. Your allegations hurts.--Jeeteshvaishya (talk) 08:01, 21 September 2015 (UTC) @DGG: Sir, let me tell you, if had created article like Saurabh Dudeja, Rajesh Baniya, the reason behind creating these articles only that I thought these people people should have Wikipedia article. It doesn't mean that i'm involved in any paid editing. Just like i created Wikipedia articles Bajrang Bahadur Singh, because he was freedom fighter and served as LG of Himachal Pradesh, and hailed from my native district. Created article Ram Vilas Vedanti, who has been Member of Parliament of my native place. Created Munishwar Duty Upadhyay just because MP and freedom fighter from my native place. Created Guru Nanak High School, because I had completed schooling from here, I love my school. When I was creating article Rajesh Baniya, that time I came to know about that Rohan Rao was 1st in that Sudoku championship, so created article about him. I created article Satyaveer Munna, as he hails from near by my native place. I created Belha Devi Temple, because it is famous temple at my native place. I created some articles like Ali Quli Mirza, Sampat Devi Pal because I used to watch Bigg Boss, I came to know about him through Biggboss. I created articles of Rajyasabh MP Pramod Tiwari and MP Harvansh Singh, it doesn't mean that i am linked with these people, I created just because these people are from my native place. and contributed I contributed to articles like Matunga Road, Mahim, Kabootar Khana, Kadeshwari Devi Temple etc because i know this places, is it is located in Mumbai, my current location. Have contributed to literature related articles on Wikipedia, The only reason is i love poetry. These are reasons behind creating articles. That's all. Yet I have heard about harassment on Wikipedia, not I'm witnessing it. It is extremely sad. Please do not harass me unnecessary. If you think any article which is created by me, has less news references as per Wikipedia's policy, violates any rules, just nominate it for deletion. I will google and try to find out references, and would introduce to the article and try to improve the article, if that doesn't work, then you can delete it. --Jeeteshvaishya (talk) 08:01, 21 September 2015 (UTC)

• Thanks for the feedback, User:DGG.

After reading Jeeteshvaishya's denial above, I went back and re-examined the evidence, and while it is clear that the user has made regular (ie non-promotional edits) edits and that some of the articles he created were for subjects who would be notable, I am convinced by both the off-wiki evidence (the PR website that has now been pulled down + editor's facebook page) and on-wiki behavioral evidence that he is involved in promotional editing at the behest of/in collaboration with some of the subjects (I, of course, cannot be sure if money exchanged hands). And this goes back at least three years. Articles such as Suvigya Sharma and Ravi Tripathi, for which the PR agency claimed credit, show clear signs of this; not spelling the signs out per WP:BEANS. See also Bharat Gaurav Award, an article on a likely non-notable award created apparently to support the notability of Suvigya Sharma, and containing a highlighted pull-quote from a company press release.

Jeeteshvaishya's flat denials, which are not credible, make it impossible to separate out the articles that would require the paid cotributions discosure from "regular" edits, and rule out the possibility that this was simply an issue of not being aware of the rules, which would have warranted us giving them the benefit of doubt and a chance to rectify through disclosure. I have therefore blocked the editor and his alternate account. I see that @SpacemanSpiff, DGG, and Brianhe: are already cataloging and reviewing the editor's contributions; I will try to chip in later this week. Abecedare (talk) 16:28, 21 September 2015 (UTC)

@Abecedare:. While not socks Indianbloomer and Ratunj Tripathi are also obviously part of this operation, so you may want to treat them the same or at the least keep a watch. —SpacemanSpiff 17:30, 21 September 2015 (UTC)

The accounts' participation at this AFD and Ratunj's editing of Raghuraj Pratap Singh clearly show (along with the off-wiki evidence) them acting in concert with the Jeeteshvaishya accounts and is further evidence of the team's promotional editing. However, given the meager contributions of the two accounts and the fact that they have been inactive for last few months, I am leaving them unblocked for now; won't hesitate to block if they are resurrected and start similar problematic editing. Btw, the Indianbloomer account suggests that we should keep our eyes open for sock accounts created by this PR firm.

By the way, in reviewing the articles edited by Jeeteshvaishya, I noticed that the user often cited non-RS websites that contained articles written by other PR professionals or were warmed over press releases (eg [23],[24]). Don't know if this indicates that the Bloomocrats is part of a bigger enterprise, or just that the subject was hiring different PR firms to expand their web-presence. In any case, will need to keep this in mind when cleaning up after the editors. Abecedare (talk) 17:56, 21 September 2015 (UTC)

Reviewing the articles created by the UPE. There are a whole lot of articles on politicians, too many for me to scrub. Here are some high (low) points in what's left.

• Zindagi Dot Com (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• India Book of Records (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) by Brianhe and sent to AFD.
• Asia Book of Records (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) nominated for speedy deletion by LaMona
• Kausar Munir (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Bollywood figure
• Ali Quli Mirza (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - actor/singer
• Sampat Pal Devi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - social activist and TV game show contestant (really)
• Anuraag Pandey (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - radio/TV personality
• Vishnu Mishra (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - singer/producer

— Brianhe (talk) 19:01, 21 September 2015 (UTC)

• I agree with the conclusions of Abecedare--not all of this is paid editing, but it is cooperative editing or editing using sockpuppets, involving some degree of COI. The topics are actually not all that implausible --being interested in Indian entertainment figures and politicians and some local places is a very possible combination. The articles are certainly written in a promotional style, with PR-type references and extravagent adjectives--but so are most of our articles by contributors from that area. And it's become clear to me that no Indian newspaper however respected is really free from including promotion--and I've been told they all expect payment from the cinema industry for articles on films. This obviously gives us certain difficulties in sourcing. For films and actors, I think I'd accept from India only objective sources showing box office standing and major awards; there are publications from outside the country dealing with Bollywood etc., some in a comparative context with other countries and they should be more reliable. I imagine its similar with musicians, though I don't know anything about that part. For politicians, we at least have the ability to determine if someone was in fact a member of the legislature or government minister (tho I've seen some positions where I don't think the title actually corresponds to the head of a major dept.) And we all know that most work from there needs rewriting into standard English. DGG ( talk ) 19:34, 21 September 2015 (UTC)
  • There's also sourcing to bharatdiscovery.org which should be added on the revert list as it's partially a mirror of multiple language Wikipedias and unattributed user submitted translations. That has been consistently used as a source by this group. —SpacemanSpiff 05:10, 22 September 2015 (UTC)

• Cross-wiki activity also extends to English Wikiquote with another article on Saurabh Dudeja by Jeeteshvaishya. Other SPA/throwaway accounts employed in promoting this non-notable author include Creativemediatoday, Penthoughts, and Shubhamsinha120. ~ Ningauble (talk) 14:22, 27 September 2015 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Jeeteshvaishya opened. More diffs might be helpful. — Brianhe (talk) 16:00, 27 September 2015 (UTC)

• What's the process for cross-wiki paid editing? Some of these don't have the setup of en.wiki, pinging Mdennis (WMF) to see if they have something for when the locals can't handle this. —SpacemanSpiff 17:19, 27 September 2015 (UTC)

Okay, admins, that was the fourth time India Book of Records has been deleted. Can we finally get it salted? — Brianhe (talk) 02:55, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

Even the echo of the article's former existence is causing this problem. Brianhe (talk) 03:27, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

Hiphop Tamizha is an impressively nightmarish WP:REFBOMB itself...look at some of those sources. Vrac (talk) 03:55, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

I might write another essay on strategy for choosing where to expend one's anti COI energy, but bottom line, I'm not that interested in Indian media (books, movies, singers) as a rule just because of the Sisyphean scope of problems. The book-of-records thing is an exception because it establishes a toehold for an avalanche of other crap that depends on it as a reference. Also, non-NPOV info is almost expected in this area so the damage to Wikipedia as a reference is not so great (uh oh I'm starting my essay). Anyway, have at it if you like. — Brianhe (talk) 15:37, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

I'm with you on the assessment as Sisyphean, just thinking about what it would take to fix that article and all its probable tentacles makes me want to take a nap. Vrac (talk) 16:05, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

Before I nominate it, is there any evidence that Bharat Gaurav Award isn't another one of the fake awards? It looks like Indian media carry these "XYZ Celeb Wins Award" stories kind of indiscriminately, so it's hard to tell. – Brianhe (talk) 06:57, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Confirmed sock Golu19. Active for just a few days. Page creations:

• Chuim (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Ritu Lalit (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

He also edited Bandra, a Mumbai suburb. Jeeteshvaishya has consistently edited from, or is associated with, Mumbai IPs e.g. at Ravi Tripathi on 18 December 2012; Satyaveer Munna on 1 April 2015. Forensic note, Jeeteshvaishya edits are never associated with mobile edit tag or visual editor, but sometimes closely followed by an IP who is. This could be interpreted as interaction with a client. @SpacemanSpiff: this could explain the checkuser failure. Brianhe (talk) 23:09, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Yeah, but it's also likely that he's just using two devices, doesn't log when he's on his tablet/mobile but does so when he's on the computer. I've closed the SPI as there's nothing further going to come of it at this point. Let's see when something else pops up. —SpacemanSpiff 03:19, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

Venafi

• Venafi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• LargeBlockCipher (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Dcutler40 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Canadian shields (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Rion.carter (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Mmillerd2012 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• 76.27.81.193 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 69.88.65.101 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 198.190.131.2 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) - corp IP

Many SPAs, two cable ISP IPs that geolocate to Salt Lake City with zero or one other edits, and a corporate IP all tending an article about this company. PRODed Venafi. - Brianhe (talk) 23:41, 25 September 2015 (UTC)

DePRODded, active editing today needs review. Brianhe (talk) 20:55, 2 October 2015 (UTC)

I'm not affiliated with Venafi, but I worked with their product at the time that I created the article. I have actually had a change of career direction and do much less with cryptography than before. I haven't logged in to Wikipedia for quite some time because I've been more active on stack exchange. No offense, but I find that community more friendly to new contributors. LargeBlockCipher (talk) 21:26, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

FlowerStorm48 sockfarm cleanup

• American Distance Education Consortium (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Barbara Rachko (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Bryan Jack (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - 9/11 victim by Smartse and sent to AFD.
• Doonya (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
  • Priya Pandya (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Doonya CEO by Smartse - redirected to parent company article
• Elisa Pritzker (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - US artist
• Food Think Tank (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - deemed non notable at AFD in 2013.
  • The articles about the founders of this are also problematic (added by Smartse):
  • Danielle Nierenberg (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
  • Ellen Gustafson (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Hamilton Jewelers (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) by DGG and Logical Cowboy
• Logistics Bureau (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - edited by master by Smartse and sent to AFD.
  • Rob O'Byrne (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Logistics Bureau CEO by Smartse and redirect to company restored.
• Marcia Reynolds (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - US business consultant by Smartse and sent to AFD.
• Margaret Ann Withers (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - US artist
• Memorial Day Pensacola Beach Pride (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Monroe Hodder (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - US artist
• Pamela McColl (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Canadian author
  • Twas the Night Before Christmas (smoke-free version) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - her book
• Roger Connors (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Sanjeewani Ayurvedic Clinic (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - created by SPA, edited by master by Brianhe speedy a7
• SNAP Interactive (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
  • Two sites that it owns:
  • AYI.com (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - dating website by Smartse - G11d and redirected to parent
  • The Grade (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - dating app by Smartse - G11d and redirected to parent
• Stephanie Chandler (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Susan RoAne (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - business author by Green Cardamom
  • How to Work a Room (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - her book

All this stuff was created and/or heavily edited by FlowerStorm48 and their confirmed sockpuppets. The articles need a look except for cases marked. From another case, I think this might be part of a bigger group of socks under the master CastleKing1440.

Clearly this sockfarm needed to be cleaned up after, but we missed the opportunity since 28 May, when the socks were confirmed. This is bad for Wikipedia, as the undisclosed paid editor had a time window to get paid for their bad work, a time window which might have been closed. Maybe there needs to be a procedure to link sockfarms to new COIN cases?

Additional forensic notes. The quantity of work here, and tone of editing seems consistent with a single editor who is proficient with English and has a good vocabulary. Monroe Hodder is a good example. Account usage generally followed an assembly-line procedure: account created, twiddled a few articles, then kept on ice a few weeks until needed for an article. Tradecraft was meticulous: after editing, accounts were generally thrown away. Only in one case did I note two socks editing the same article. Practices and topics match at least one known LTA operator. — Brianhe (talk) 19:28, 26 September 2015 (UTC)

Thanks for bringing this up. I've started some clean up and added more articles created by related SPAs that I don't think had been noticed before. SmartSE (talk) 15:59, 27 September 2015 (UTC)

This has been going on for years as evidenced by Special:Contributions/BubleLover55 who created Hamilton Jewelers in 2012 and fits the patterns of the other socks. I noticed that Food_Tank:_The_Food_Think_Tank was created by Neurosciency (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) who disappeared in 2013 after they were outed as an elancer. There are many other articles that weren't ever cleaned up including:

• Fabrizio Boccardi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• PlayPhone (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Jonathan Pease (creative director) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) (sent to AFD by me)

That also lead me to Brandhorse (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) who edited Fabrizio Boccardi recently and hasn't disclosed any COI. SmartSE (talk) 17:59, 27 September 2015 (UTC)

@SmartSE: Can you add Brandhorse to the open sockpuppet investigation WP:Sockpuppet investigations/MayFlowers2014#26 September 2015? Also noting Jimbo Wales commented on that Neurosciency paid neg-BLP piece. — Brianhe (talk) 20:16, 27 September 2015 (UTC)

@Brianhe: All of those accounts are stale so there doesn't seem much point. SmartSE (talk) 17:24, 28 September 2015 (UTC)

• The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) cleaned up by Tokyogirl79
• Commonplace Book (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• The Librarian at Terminus (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Creoleo (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Noting that the book The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending is supposedly based on the life of Fabrizio Boccardi. The corresponding article was written by The Librarian at Terminus and his sock Commonplace Book. We have a new SPA Creoleo active there in the last ~72 hours. — Brianhe (talk) 17:39, 28 September 2015 (UTC)

What is all this about? I'm new to the Wikipedia community, and you can call me or email me to verify my Identity. I do not know who any of these people are that you guys have tagged me with, nor am I associated with them and I would like to be removed from this thread. What do I need to do to make that happen? What is SPA? I chose to edit these article because i'm familiar with John Lands work. What is it exactly that I did wrong here?

Creoleo (talk) 16:52, 10 October 2015 (UTC)

Jrleaguedoe

• Duvel Moortgat Brewery (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Firestone Walker Brewing Company (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Ellen Gustafson‎ (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Brian Halweil (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Stamps.com (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Capital Impact Partners (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• George Washington University (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Jerry Wishnow (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Randall Bell (author) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Wolters Kluwer (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Food Tank: The Food Think Tank (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Science & Environmental Health Network (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

editors

• Jrleaguedoe (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - Duvel Moortgat Brewery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Ellen Gustafson‎, Brian Halweil, Beneful, Stamps.com, Capital Impact Partners, George Washington University, Jerry Wishnow, Randall Bell (author), Wolters Kluwer
• JamieCW777 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - created Ellen Gustafson and Carolyn Raffensperger and Science & Environmental Health Network
• Vxbxl (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - Food Think Tank ‎ , Danielle Nierenberg ‎ maintenance
• Nelsonrunkle (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - Duvel Moortgat Brewery SPA
• Maiareed89 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - Brian Halweil SPA/creator
• 166.176.59.193 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) - Randall Bell (author) SPA, fmr creator of Food Tank: The Food Think Tank

These might be part of the FlowerStorm48 sockfarm via crossover at Food Think Tank, not yet mentioned at any SPI I'm aware of. Note that Jrleaguedoe is active as of this month, and JamieCW777 popped up earlier this year after a three-year hiatus, about the same time the account Jrleaguedoe was created. — Brianhe (talk) 20:29, 27 September 2015 (UTC)

Connected sockfarms look likely, an IP in this set apparently created Food Tank: The Food Think Tank, which was recreated as Food Think Tank by FlowerStorm48 sockpuppet JadeRing8293. — Brianhe (talk) 21:31, 27 September 2015 (UTC)

Hello, I apologize if I'm going about this the wrong way. I'm fairly new and have not found wikipedia to be user friendly. I am not associated with the other folks on this list and am not a paid contributor (it would be silly to pay me since I don't know what I'm doing). I am a bit frustrated that the Food Tank page keeps getting deleted. I certainly understand the rules against paid contributors, but I also believe that, despite their involvement, the organization is notable. What is the best way to go about making that argument? Thank you, and, again, I apologize if I'm going about this the wrong way. Vxbxl (talk) 01:51, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

Artelia Communication

• Artelia (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Artelia Communication (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

This account (which I encountered whilst answering a tagged copy-edit request on the above article), appears to be an abandoned corporate account (two edits, both here). Judging by the standard of the article, the operator clearly knew/knows their way around WP. Cheers, Baffle gab1978 (talk) 20:28, 29 September 2015 (UTC)

Added "Corruption" section; in July 2015 Artelia was barred from World Bank funded projects for a few years. More news would be helpful, but it will probably have to come from the French press. English sources are few.John Nagle (talk) 20:53, 29 September 2015 (UTC)

Thanks John; the subject seems to be notable but I think this SPA should be blocked as a sock, even though it's currently inactive. An SPI would be pointless since the checkuser data is stale, but someone in future might be able to tie this to a known sock-puppeteer. Anyway it's not my call and your mileage might vary. Cheers, Baffle gab1978 (talk) 19:40, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

Jeremy Balkin

• Jeremy Balkin (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Bigapplewiki (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

I really have to try hard to hold my tongue on this article on a "international thought leader on banking ethics". So just the facts. SPA author. Single author. Complete article made in one edit. Large section titled "honors". You get the idea. Brianhe (talk) 13:51, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #639,327 in Books. But #73 in Books > Business & Money > Industries > Financial Services, which is respectable.

Cleaned up most of the junk. Now we have to put stuff in. Trying to get a handle on who this person is. See [25]] for some insight. He's the son of David Balkin, a senior director of McKinsey & Company. He seems to have inherited money, but hasn't really done much on his own except write a book and give a TEDx talk. The "banking executive" job was at the Macquarie Family Office, which manages money for rich families. There's a claim that he worked for the Australian prime minister, but that's cited to his own article on LinkedIn. The Amazon reviews for the book show signs of similarity. He apparently talked about running for political office at one point, but that went nowhere. Someone else take a look at this. Does he meet the threshold for notability? His father is more notable than he is, and doesn't have an article. John Nagle (talk) 06:10, 2 October 2015 (UTC)

Found a cite re Prime Minister - he worked on the prime minister's campaign, not for the Government. John Nagle (talk) 06:30, 2 October 2015 (UTC)

I listed this at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Jeremy Balkin DGG ( talk ) 16:56, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

Irish Parliament IP

• Jim Walsh (politician) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Jimmy Harte (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Brendan Griffin (Kerry politician) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Liam Twomey (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Fidelma_Healy_Eames (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Daithí_Doolan (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Shane_Ross (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• 137.191.234.98 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Minor scandal over pol self-editing; details at Jim Walsh (politician)#Wikipedia editing. Looks like same IP has been fairly busy wikiwashing [26][27][28][29] and promoting [30][31] various other pols and their staff as well. Apparently for years without notice until recently, although WHOIS identifies the IP registrant clearly. The list above is by no means exhaustive. — Brianhe (talk) 14:45, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

Okey Uzoeshi

• Okey Uzoeshi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Adeadeyemi21 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Jamie Tubers (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

See discussion at WP:AN/I#Somebody please help! This editor is driving me up the wall!. This is a typical pop culture figure article with an SPA pushing the article. Extensive, but non-fruitful discussion at AN/I. We may be able to do more here than AN/I can. John Nagle (talk) 20:08, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

Initial fact checking: List of films in which actor played.

• "Fatal Imagination" - not in cast list. [32]
• "The Rivals" - not one of the lead actors. [33]

(more checking needed)

Band member of "G-xploits".

• Claimed MTV "top 10". Not finding any hits for "G-xploits" MTV.

This article is going to need substantial editor time to clean up. If any uninvolved editor has spare time and an interest in Nollywood cinema, assistance is requested. Thanks.

John Nagle (talk) 20:26, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

Hi John Nagle thanks for moving this conversation here, I agree that it is better suited for this discussion board and hopefully we can reach a solution quickly and resolve this amicably. At the end of the day, I'm after 'accuracy' as opposed to 'winning' a battle. Let me clarify; for Jamie Tubers benefit - 'I'm a 'she' and not a 'he' :) (not that I expect it will get me any favours). I simply prefer being referred to as a lady!

I have been on wikipedia for little over a week, so new to this process. I want to get this right so that lessons learned from this can be taken on board before I proceed to update other pages, hence the reason why I have not gone on to contribute to other pages

The points you have mentioned above; 'Fatal Imagination' and 'The Rivals' were part of the initial article on wikipedia (before my contributions). 'wikipedia' as a whole is about collaborative editing. Each of us bringing our own nuggets to the table. My edits were more about splitting the article into appropriate sections and doing a bit more research , so that text was a bit more refined, I am not sure how I have promoted the subject, and would be extremely grateful if you could advise.

i also gave accurate reasons why I made so many contributions, I simply save my work as I go in everyday life and did not realise it could be considered 'weird' on wikipedia and for this I apologised as I see how it could have been perceived 'wrongly', I was still learning the ropes

This is a page created by Jamie Tubers that refers to another Nollywood actor, who was in the same season of AMBO as Okey Uzoeshi and I'm not sure how my contributions differ astronomically to his and why this page does not carry the COI template. Other pages of Nigerian actors are here and this here, again my questions have been around why similar templates were not applied to these also. I have just felt so targeted in this process, If I am being honest, but determined to resolve the issues. All I have asked for is for specifics to be called out by [User:Jamie Tubers|Jamie Tubers]], so that I can fix them and learn from them. Another editor went in there and took out 'some of the weasel words' and Jamie Tubers still reapplied the templates without reading the updates

Let me reiterate, I have no problem with templates but they must actually be the 'right ones' and be geared at directing editors to contribute appropriately, not badges and badges that are duplicated or disruptive with no guidance to other editors.

• Discussion Points
• I am not sure who called Okey Uzoeshi out as a lead on 'the rivals' but there are quite a few mentions of him playing a role in the movie - particularly as the film either won or was nominated for an award at the NY film festival (If I recall correctly)! Yes - found it here The Rivals (winner, Best International Drama at the New York Film Festival) ... He was called out by Iroko TV. Iroko TV is THE leading distributor in Nollywood movies and known globally, so in my view - a reliable source
• Claimed MTV "top 10". Not finding any hits for "G-xploits" MTV. - Again this was part of the initial article on wikipedia before my contributions and also mentioned on the Iroko TV excerpt, it may help to look at the initial write up
• However 'fatal imagination' is specifically called out by Uzoeshi as his 'first appearance in front of a camera' here in an online interview. If this is not felt to be a reliable source :::: then that is fine, I am happy for it to be taken out
• My issue at the start with Jamie Tubers, asides from his tone, has been the COI template, I took on another editor's point that as an 'avid admirer' or 'fan' I may be conflicted and decided to call that out by using the ' connected_contribute' template, which I still think is not appropriate, however if those are the rules then those are the rules. I am happy for the page to be validated. However I do not think it should be deleted as the subject himself is a notable 'Nollywood' actor, whose page was on wikipedia way before me.
• I also think that if the 'Okey Uzoeshi' page is indeed deleted then, maybe other actors in Nollywood who are of lesser notability should also be deleted and how would you measure this?
• If you are interested in finding out more about 'Uzoeshi' there are a couple of interviews here and here that you can watch to get a feel for the subject as well as a ton of his movies or IrokoTV and IbakaTV
• Please note that I do work during the day and fortunately or unfortunately, I work in an investment bank - the reason I have mentioned this, is the Corporate Security Network means I will not be able to contribute to this thread or make any updates while at work but happy to pick up when I get in, in the evening, can I ask that we do not close this thread till I have had a chance to reply please. Thank you!

In Researching Jamie Tubers, it appears he does do quite a bit of writing on Nollywood writers and actors, the fact the he has picked a handful out of hundreds may also lead me to decide that he is conflicted or the fact the he seems to have written up on 'every' - "Kunle Afolayan' movie or gotten other editors to 'contribute' specifically to those may again lead me to say I think he is conflicted. However I believe in 'good faith' and improving the 'overall quality' of wikipedia, not in being petty and picking apart every editors' contribution. If I'm given a fighting chance I will contribute to other pages, but new editors have to be treated in good faith - after all behind every username is an actual person with values and lives beyond wikipedia. Finally after being threatened re/; being banned/blocked or accused that my account is purely for 'promotional purposes' (which is extremely untrue), I did mention that there must be other avenues for escalation, I live in the UK, which for the most part is fair, surely there must be other forums, channels for escalation. 'Vicious' editors are a huge issue for new editors and a whole lot of other people who want to contribute to Wikipedia but are too scared, there are articles that specifically call this issue out!. We should be passing on the ropes for continuity not threatening, dismissing new editors as if their contributions are not valuable. Every editor on wikipedia was once a 'new editor'. I look forward to hearing from you and that includes Jamie Tubers, let's resolve this amicably! Adeadeyemi21 (talk) 03:21, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

OK. There's no rush; this is an encyclopedia, not a news service. Other volunteer editors will look at this article as time permits. Since you're new to Wikipedia, it's often helpful to read more of the policies and edit articles other than your favorite, to gain experience. Reading WP:ACTOR and WP:V will be helpful. The article has been sent to Articles for Deletion, because, after the unverifiable claims are disregarded, the subject of the article may not meet Wikipedia's notability criteria. That was done by a previously uninvolved editor. For articles which look promotional, those criteria are often strictly applied. Wikipedia regularly rejects articles about minor musicians, bands, DJs, and actors, usuallly because there just isn't enough material about them available from reliable sources, as Wikipedia uses the term. See WP:RS.

You can argue against deletion on the article's deletion page, Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Okey_Uzoeshi, if you wish. However, ranting at length without references to hard facts will not help. Thanks. John Nagle (talk) 05:41, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

John Nagle, Jamie Tubers My argument was never re: 'notability', it was always COI, frankly this is really tiring, so happy for the page to be deleted, it was on wikipedia way before I decided to edit it. This way my contributions will also be gone. So deletion fine by me. All yours Wikic¤l¤gy Thanks! Adeadeyemi21 (talk) 17:40, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

This is how Wikipedia works. You write something, and others check it and edit it. It's sometimes painful for new editors not used to this. It's why Wikipedia doesn't read like PR Newswire. John Nagle (talk) 18:02, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

John Nagle I am not really sure I understand your point. i contributed and was corrected, tried to fix the errors, another editor contributed and the issue was that the templates were continually added back. The template, I mostly disagreed with was COI and because I am indeed an 'avid admirer' of the subject and it was 'explained' to me that as a fan, I may indeed be conflicted; I actually added the COI template to the subject's talk page and was STILL called out in the rudest, most disruptive manner and threatened to be banned without the 4 levels of warning adhered to.

Frankly I AM happy for the page to be deleted. The page has been on wikipedia for years and no one edited it, as soon as I edited it. Everyone started coming out of the woodwork. Only one editor assumed good faith and actually 'helped'. Disappointing but hey I will choose to AGF, as mentioned I'm happy for the article to be deleted. Thank you! Adeadeyemi21 (talk) 19:02, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

Charles Ressler

• Charles Ressler (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Smileverse (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Anon editors at Charles Ressler making concerning edits especially since it was created by Smileverse, who has been blocked for TOU violations. Brianhe (talk) 20:48, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

Cut the article way down. He's probably notable for his work in Vegas, maybe. His earlier history doesn't seem to be verifiable. Trained as an actor, then 10 years in cold fusion research, then back to theater? His work in Vegas is verifiable, so that stays in, but the early life is out, until someone puts it in with WP:RS references. John Nagle (talk) 06:41, 3 October 2015 (UTC)

FocusEconomics

• FocusEconomics ‎ (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Helenajoani (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Marinabarcelona (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Equitxtere (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• focus-economics.com: Linksearch en - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • MER-C Cross-wiki • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced • COIBot-Local - COIBot-XWiki - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.org • Live link: http://spam.focus-economics.com

The listed users are single-purpose accounts whose only contributions involve promotional editing at FocusEconomics and adding external links to its website, focus-economics.com. They have added nearly 100 external links to the website across Wikipedia. I wonder if maybe the article FocusEconomics was created in the first place as the result of paid editing, too. Deli nk (talk) 12:11, 2 October 2015 (UTC)

Probably. I have trimmed much of the content in the main article, but much of it is still based on its own website. - MrX 12:48, 2 October 2015 (UTC)

Proposed deletion. I can't find any reliable-source references to them in Google. John Nagle (talk) 18:56, 2 October 2015 (UTC)

Since the repeated external link additions appear to be spamming, I will simply revert them if there is no objection. Deli nk (talk) 15:05, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

I removed the links that were spammed to "External links" sections, but left the ones that are used as references. Deli nk (talk) 12:45, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

KMGi Group

• KMGi Group (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• WikiExperts (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

editors

• Alternator Abv (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Forgive me for thinking this looks like blatant wikiwashing of WikiExperts by getting it deleted [34] simultaneously creating a new squeaky-clean article on its parent company KMGi Group. KMGi Group states "WikiExperts, which creates and repairs Wikipedia articles for companies or advises them on how to create articles themselves" without mentioning that WikiExperts has been banned from editing WP. The editing history of KMGi Group is chock full of names I recognize but I'd like to hear from some other COIN regulars before jumping all over that. Brianhe (talk) 20:21, 3 October 2015 (UTC)

Owen 'Alik Shahadah

• Owen 'Alik Shahadah
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Owen 'Alik Shahadah
• Inayity (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

An editor with a strong POV is trying to pass Owen 'Alik Shahadah as a notable scholar and his websites as reliable. Spamming it across wikipages related with africa and slavery. He seems to be connected as he stated in the summary of this edit. See Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 189#arabslavetrade.com and Talk:Black people#Arabslavetrade.com. Rupert Loup (talk) 23:55, 3 October 2015 (UTC)

Other issues aside, I don't really see much evidence of a COI here. That edit summary certainly does not seem to suggest/admit a COI - am I missing something? Fyddlestix (talk) 00:14, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

Fyddlestix He is trying to put Owen 'Alik Shahadah's opinion across wikipedia, againt consensus because his POV, and even acknowledging that his page is an advocacy page. He is strongly connected with the subject. e.g. links: [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54] and more. Rupert Loup (talk) 00:46, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

Rupert is in a funny situation since he is clearly the one with a COI he has systematically gone through EVERY PAGE that mentions an African multi-award winning edit and deleted them. It takes a strong passion and clearly motives to do that. Let me add you can see my contributions lastly, From his list do you realize a great deal of those articles like Cheikh Anta Diop I have never edited in my life and do not have an interest in.--Inayity (talk) 05:27, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

He keeps using one stupid inconclusive poorly presented discussion about Arab Slave Trade where he himselfs ADMITS Alik Shahadah is a notable OPINION on Arab slave trade. YET, he is using it to say Every Single African holocaust page is unreliable (wholesale) even the ones written by Karenga and Hakim Adi, and Asante. Rupert does not know these topics to be so opinionated on what is "scholarly" and what is not--Inayity (talk) 05:30, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

It is so sad when you will quote every policy you think might work. "Strongly connected with the subject" but My entire edit history is open, the only strong connection I see is you having some sort of crusade against the man. I am not sure what that is, but such passion betrays an agenda. I am reading the stuff you are deleting on Slavery, how you tell us it is not notable.? B/c he is not teaching at a Uni or publishes in journals. At least it is a notable opinion. At least an EL, but you will have none of it. LOL. Yet I have a varied position which is treating each instances point by point (hence Black people deletion).--Inayity (talk) 06:17, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

Both Inayity and Rupert loup continued edit warring and broke 3RR in the process. I therefore found it necessary to block them temporarily, which is of course unfortunate for this discussion. Favonian (talk) 07:35, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

• We already reach a consensus after discussing it many times here, here, here and here. One and other time various editors explained Inayity why Shahadah and his pages are not reliable nor notable. But he still denies it, accusing others of bias, making ad hominems, constantly mocking and doing sarcastic commentaries in his summaries. And do as the consensus never took place. [55][56][57][58] and others. I discover that some user had spam Shahadah's pages across Wikipedia and I decided honor the consensus being WP:BOLD. But I entered in an edit warring with Inayity. I won't going to explain another time what I and other editors already explained. Rupert Loup (talk) 12:36, 4 October 2015 (UTC)
• This are Inayity last edits: [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76] and more. Rupert Loup (talk) 14:45, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

This really needs to be taken to the RS noticeboard, not the COI one. Cordless Larry (talk) 18:05, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

Cordless Larry This isn't about if Shahadah's content is RS, there was already a discussion about that, this about the COI of Inayity with Shahadah. And why he want him spammed across Wikipedia simply because match his POV, he remplace the sources of notable africans scholars to have him in different articles. He removed the adf tag of Shahadah's wikipage because he disagree with it. He is already blocked for warring so I won't going to discuss this more until he be unblocked. Rupert Loup (talk) 02:53, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Wanting to add material by an author to multiple articles isn't in itself evidence of a CoI though. I realise that there was a previous RS discussion, but Inayity has concerns about how the discussion was conducted. It's probably best to start a new one, get wide input, and establish once and for all whether Shahadah can be considered a reliable source. Cordless Larry (talk) 07:03, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Cordless Larry This is where we are discussing the material now: Wikipedia:Neutral point of view/Noticeboard#Owen 'Alik Shahadah Do you think that it should be open a discussion in other place?. About the COI, I won't going to discuss it further until he be unblocked. Rupert Loup (talk) 08:31, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

OK, I hadn't seen that. That seems as good a place as any to discuss the matter. Thanks, Rupert Loup. Cordless Larry (talk) 08:47, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Global Connectivity Index: Help Requested to Avoid COI Editing

My name is Marshall Manson. I work for Ogilvy, a global advertising and PR firm, and I am a signatory to last year's statement from communications firms in which we commited, among other things, to refraining from making edits directly to Wikipedia on behalf of our clients. It was my hope that formalising such a commitment, we could occasionally turn to the community of editors for help by making requests for edits, especially when those requests were purely factual and non-controversial.

I am writing here to make just such a request. We represent Huawei, which sponsors the annual Global Connectivity Index. This year's Index was release several months ago, and we have been requesting that the existing article be updated to reflect the latest results ever since.

We have posted a request on the article's Talk page, and also on the Wikipedia China project page. Thus far, we have had no replies.

As we are anxious to abide by our commitment, and avoid making edits ourselves, I thought I would post a request here as well. Please let me know if you have any questions. (And please also let me apologise in advance for any errors in syntax. I realise that I still have a lot to learn about Wikipedia.)

Tmmanson (talk) 12:52, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

Is Stiouvv (talk · contribs), who created that article and never edited again, affiliated with you in any way? John Nagle (talk) 20:09, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

I'm always reluctant to speak in absolutes, given that we are a global firm of more than 20,000 people, but to the best of my knowledge, he / she is not. Tmmanson (talk) 07:51, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research and others

• S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Delhi Technological University (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

• 115.115.176.107 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• VismayH (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Anadichaturvedi (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

socks

• Spjimr (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - sockmaster
  • SPJIMRMum (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - confirmed sock
  • Hrish15 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - confirmed sock
  • SPJIMR Editor (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - possible sock of Spjimr

The IP is involved at S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research and obviously being used by the editors when accidentally logged out, e.g. [77]. Same IP created promo and massive copyvio Draft:Slum Soccer for a nonprofit org. Anadichaturvedi and VismayH co-editing so fast that the timestamps have been the same [78]. It looks like paid editing.

IP has been introducing crud to Delhi Technological University, oddly enough linked to One97 and Paytm and indirectly to Arr4 (see recent COIN case). I will request a checkuser for this aspect.

Socking has been confirmed by other editors at this article. — Brianhe (talk) 16:37, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Reopened WP:Sockpuppet investigations/Spjimr – Brianhe (talk) 17:08, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Hi, I am VismayH, and I assure you I am no paid editor, the same goes for Anadi. We are B-school students, you can check our profile on facebook. "Vismay Harani" is my name, also you can check for "Anadi Chaturvedi". We were sitting across the table while editing, and we wanted to effect many changes, so it looked to you as if we were indulging in fast editing. You suggest a way out of this. Also, the information that has been put is factual and backed by newspaper articles and website links, SP Jain is indeed amongst the top-ten B-school in India. I suggest you check the validity of facts before casting us as paid editors. We are a novice bunch, and are learning our way through Wikipedia. — Preceding unsigned comment added by VismayH (talk • contribs) 17:21, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Are you doing this as part of an assistantship, scholarship, or class assignment? Smallbones_(smalltalk) 01:38, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

we ask this not because such projects are wrong, but so we can explain to your instructor how they should be done. DGG ( talk ) 16:10, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

Rick Allan Ross

I'm concerned about this editor and what seems to be a manner of dictation on how the article about him should be edited. See the article talk page here and the editor talk page here for examples as to why what seems to be happening is problematic, in my opinion. -- WV ● ✉ ✓ 17:02, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

(being involved in some of the related discussions) I suppose I think things are turning for the better lately, so I'd let that process continue without worrying too much. --Francis Schonken (talk) 17:24, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

We are not required to accede to every request he makes, but his long history of being viciously attacked by Scientologists and other ne'er-do-wells does mean we're obliged to at least listen. Guy (Help!). Warning: comments may contain traces of sarcasm. 17:48, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Thanks. I understand that I cannot edit my bio and have only made suggestions regarding mistakes in fact, misleading edits, etc. The idea to cut the lead to only the first paragraph was actually first suggested by a Wikipedia editor and not me.Rick Alan Ross (talk) 17:51, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

I have been working with him at the article and although it has been a bit bumpy at times I though we had a functional working relationship, now that I see him bringing up the lead again I must re-evaluate that.. He has pointed out issues and generally the article has improved. I would be happier if it did not take several tries for him to accept that a given change will not be made. In particular I briefly thought the lead could be cut, mentioned that, and now he will not drop it. I have explained to him several times why the information in the lead should be there and why I will not cut the lead nor will I support it being cut without significant discussion. Jbh^Talk 19:03, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Ok. Right now there is a factual error in the first sentence. Other portions of the lead are misleading and should be edited to reflect the facts. I thought it would be easier to cut the last two paragraphs of the lead as you previously suggested. If you want to keep them in fine, but they will need a tweek or two.Rick Alan Ross (talk) 19:42, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

As I said here please bring up your concerns, with specific reliable sources, on the talk page of the article and I will work with you. Please present the issues one at a time and include sources that document the problem and your proposed edit. Jbh^Talk 19:52, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Done.Rick Alan Ross (talk) 20:04, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Rick, please remember that differences of emphasis are not factual errors, OK? It's definitely best to separate disputes over emphasis from matters of objective fact, and equally it's best to keep it brief: "Says X, but actually Y, based on source Z" will et actioned fairly quickly, and factual accuracy is of course the most pressing concern. Also, Jbhunley is doing a good job as far as I can see, so please be aware that if you fall out with him you may not find anyone who is happy to work with you. Not everyone wants to risk being attacked by the sort of nutters who go after you. Guy (Help!) 15:46, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

Foster/White Gallery

• Foster/White Gallery (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Tony Angell (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Alden Mason (artist) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Fosterwhite (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

I hate to beat up on Seattle topics, but Fosterwhite was warned about problems with an apparent role account username and COI, but has continued editing on the Foster/White Gallery and probably artists they represent as well.

Tony Angell is quite problematic, with a prose section way out of proportion to the sources, entirely unreferenced sections, long lists of shows a la a CV, and overall PROMO tone. This is from the lede: "Angell brings a passion and ferocity to his love of nature that leaves audience members and readers alike inspired." Brianhe (talk) 14:54, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

What I'd call it, is unambiguous advertising". That sample was representative of a full dozen paragraphs. I've listed it for speedy deletion as G11. He's clearly notable, but it would have to be started over. In my opinion, a great articles on contemporary creative artists are contaminated by clear promotionalism & written in a manner which copies a gallery brochure, but this is the most extreme example I've encountered. DGG ( talk ) 16:07, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

@DGG: Your speedy tag was removed in less than hour. It's unfortunate that we'll have to expend even more time and energy now on deletion&cleaning this up. It's also unfortunate that it was a drive-by un-tagging with a comment that the article "could" be improved, but without any effort to actually pick up a mop and get to work. — Brianhe (talk) 17:17, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

@Brianhe: My view on the speedy deletion process in general is that it is much overused for articles that should involve discussion through another process, such as WP:PROD or WP:AFD. Speedy deletion, in my view, is a process for articles that have no chance of being improved (except through a rewrite). Tony Angell certainly had content that, while written in a promotional tone, still was informative to readers. Particularly for WP:G11, I believe the intent was to avoid pages such as "call our representatives here!" and make sure those could be removed quickly. The intent was not to take a somewhat promotional article and delete it with no discussion whatsoever, but just an administrator's decision.

Regarding your comment about "It's also unfortunate that it was a drive-by un-tagging with a comment that the article "could" be improved, but without any effort to actually pick up a mop and get to work." By untagging the article, I wasn't saying "this shouldn't be deleted". I was saying "speedy deletion is not the appropriate process for this deletion". I wouldn't mind at all if the article went through a community-based discussion and the consensus was for the article to be deleted, which is why I didn't "pick up a mop and get to work." It just doesn't fit into the strict rules for speedy deletion, which are kept narrow to avoid Wikipedia being based only on administrator decisions rather than community consensus. Appable (talk) 20:02, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

Foster/White Gallery has been a copyvio since the day it was created. I've blanked it and listed it at WP:CP. Justlettersandnumbers (talk) 18:50, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

User:74.76.148.38 / Lord and Taylor

• Lord and Taylor (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Saks Fifth Avenue (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Hudsons Bay Company (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Richard A. Baker (businessman) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) (the CEO of all this)
• 74.76.148.38 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (active)
• 70.209.133.149 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (inactive since August 2015)
• 70.209.128.160 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 70.209.132.193 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 70.209.141.215 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 70.209.137.105 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 72.69.40.61 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 2600:1017:b017:593b:fdc0:abf5:a980:9aab (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (inactive since August 2015)

Many edits by two anons with very similar editing patterns on Lord and Taylor and their subsidiaries. Notice [79], with edit comment "(redundent Information - as per request of HBC)" indicating an undeclared COI. Specific edits of concern:

• Big deletion of negative info.[80]
• Deletion of closed stores and financial analyst comment on poor profitability.[81]

John Nagle (talk) 20:00, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

This is a revival of WP:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard/Archive 91#Saks Fifth Avenue marketing team, then? Brianhe (talk) 20:20, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

You're right; I missed that. They've been warned before. Probably time for WP:AN/I. John Nagle (talk) 20:28, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

@JzG and Smartse: can we take care of this here? — Brianhe (talk) 20:33, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

I put a note on WP:AN/I, asking for a block on the IP, mostly to get their attention. They've been deleting warning notices without responding to them. They already deleted the COI notice for this discussion. John Nagle (talk) 21:08, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

They asked for help on my talk page, and I suggested registering for an account and declaring a COI. Instead, they tried deleting the AN/I report on AN/I itself. That got them hardblocked. Watch for re-appearance under another IP address. Thanks. John Nagle (talk) 22:02, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

I hope they email OTRS - they will get the same advice. They are going about this in a way pretty much guaranteed to get them maximum shit. Guy (Help!) 22:43, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

@JzG: Thanks for checking back here. I added some more IPs from the case opened a couple of weeks ago, if they need to be blocked...? 72.69.40.61 (talk · contribs · WHOIS) was active about a week ago. – Brianhe (talk) 23:02, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

ESCP Europe

• ESCP Europe (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• 217.207.113.60 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

For some reason this bizschool is a perennial magnet for COI edits. It just had its lede rewritten by a brand-new SPA, and now says that it's "among the foremost French Grande écoles and the leading business schools of Europe and the world". The history section got punched up too with a bunch of unreferenced stuff. In fact this whole section has just one cited sentence at its beginning and one at its end. Brianhe (talk) 20:44, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

I've done some cleanup and will keep an eye on it. The 'Programmes' section is completely promotional and should probably be removed. SmartSE (talk) 18:30, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

The IP listed above is from the school itself, made this sort of promotional and unsourced addition to one of the program(me)s. – Brianhe (talk) 18:08, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

YourStory.com

Userspace drafts

• User:Amitvaish (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Sep 2015 (not a typo, his userpage is a draft)
• User:Chadhanitin/SRide carpool (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Oct 2015
• User:Humming Whale/Gladius Blade Bat (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Aug 2015
• User:Kaganeb/Sandbox/myfirstarticledraft (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Aug 2015
• User:Kanungoparth/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Aug 2015
• User:Mansi2988/Imlee (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Sep 2015
• User:Nidasqy/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Aug 2015
• User:Nikhiljohn05/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Sep 2015
• User:Pingaksh92/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Sep 2015
• User:Sunstonebschool/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Sep 2015
• User:Vik.ceo/Vivek Kumar (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Aug 2015
• User:Vishal K Sharma/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Aug 2015
• User:Vsh89/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Aug 2015
• User:Zigthis/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Sep 2015

NextBigWhat/pluggd.in userspace drafts

• User:Amathur2k/Mettl (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:F2000047/Roopit (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Foodieno1/Zomato.com (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Shopoindia (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Smoldee/if (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Abhishek42/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Amarprabhu/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Amitvaish (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Sep 2015
• User:Amtrips84/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Bracegenao/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Cxs107/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Dushitashah/sandbox/Cleartrip (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) - active Sep 2015
• User:Mansi2988/Imlee (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Mayureshibhejo/Ibhejo (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Priyanka 123 (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Rohitkapoor001/Mebelkart.com (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Samarth1989 (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Slunia/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:WanZhuthePanda/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• User:Websoftexcom/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)

#1 suspect articles

• BabyChakra (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe (talk) 18:47, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• BankBazaar (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe (talk) 17:29, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• BitChemy Ventures (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe (talk) 18:28, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• Box8 (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe (talk) 19:36, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• BrowserStack (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y - dePRODded by Krishsundaram speedy deleted by JzG
• Cardback (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Cartisan (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• ClearTax (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• CollaborateCloud (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe (talk) 18:47, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• Eximius (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe (talk) 19:36, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• Furlenco (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y PRODded Brianhe (talk) 19:36, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• Grofers (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned by Smartse and Brianhe (talk) 18:40, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• Housing.com (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• KartRocket (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Knowlarity (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Kunal Shah (entrepreneur) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe (talk) 17:29, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• MBillionth Award South Asia (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe (talk) 18:28, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• Mysmartprice (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Nykaa (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Roman Saini (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Shiju Radhakrishnan (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Sushil Mantri (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• TaxiForSure (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe Brianhe (talk) 18:22, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• Yo! App (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y PRODded Brianhe (talk) 22:44, 7 October 2015 (UTC)
• Zomato (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y cleaned Brianhe (talk) 18:28, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• Rolocule games (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Y PRODded Brianhe (talk) 19:36, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
• FusionCharts (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Bhavesh Bhatia (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• BitChemy Ventures (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Buyhatke (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Cleartrip (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Flipkart (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• FreeCharge (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Freshdesk (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• HealthcareMagic (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• LogiNext (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

editors

• Amitvaish (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Chadhanitin (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Humming Whale (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Kaganeb (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Kanungoparth (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Mansi2988 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Nidasqy (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Nikhiljohn05 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Pingaksh92 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Sunstonebschool (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Vik.ceo (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Vishal K Sharma (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Vsh89 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Zigthis (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Krishsundaram (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• BrowserStack (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

editors - second group

• Amathur2k (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Abhishek42 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Amarprabhu (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Amitvaish (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Amtrips84 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Bracegenao (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Cxs107 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Dushitashah (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• F2000047 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Foodieno1 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Mansi2988 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Mayureshibhejo (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Priyanka 123 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Rohitkapoor001 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Samarth1989 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Shopoindia (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Slunia (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Smoldee (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• WanZhuthePanda (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Websoftexcom (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

YourStory seems to be a PR publishing platform (thinly) masquerading as a legitimate news site. See details at WP:RSN#YourStory.com. There are approx. 200 India business articles using it as a source. The external links search feature can easily discover these and I've indexed many of theseall of them at User:Brianhe/COIbox26. The most pressing are the userspace drafts currently under development using these sources, listed above, with high likelihood to be undisclosed paid editing.

Of note, this source seems to be favored by spammers and socks. For instance, Andrewjohn39 used it at both the KartRocket and POPxo AfDs; Avnish.vikas and Avinash187 used it for indianmoney.com (see User talk:Avinash187); an anon ed. used it for Naveen Tewari, a Paytm board member among other things (see User talk:Davewild, 21 August 2015). The RSN post linked above gives other examples, discovered by four other editors, of it being used to support probable COI articles. – Brianhe (talk) 21:49, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

If you want to nuke the links, I can probably blacklist it. Guy (Help!) 22:15, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

Please do. I'm starting to add some suspicious articles to the list above. Actually they are all suspicious but I'm taking the ones with multiple citations as the top, with the model that each article was probably paid for and is the most conflicted. Brianhe (talk) 22:44, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

Three users relates to Rolocule games (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views), all seem likely to be spammers. 11:50, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

•  Added to blacklist, [82]. Guy (Help!) 11:57, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

Added Krishsundaram SPA edit history includes editing at User:BrowserStack/sandbox and recently de-prodding BrowserStack. –Brianhe (talk) 16:03, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

• (edit conflict)Just nothing that User:Kanungoparth/sandbox (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) is about HackerRank (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views). SmartSE (talk) 20:00, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

Another questionable source is nextbigwhat.com. I noticed that ClearTax cited remarkably similar articles at NextBigWhat and YourStory published within a couple of days of each other. Similarities include this verbatim passage from an interview with the company founder:

"We applied to Y Combinator via the standard application process. We filled out the YC application form online. At the time of application, we didn't submit the video (a video of the founders is required as part of the application) as we were in different cities running sales or meetings. We got a message from YC to upload a video to complete the application. We recorded that and later on, we were asked to show up for a ten-minute interview at YC. We flew to California for that and then got in."

If this also turns out to be a shill source, we've got another big problem as ~100 articles are sourced to nextbigwhat.com (see external links search). Many, unsurprisingly, are in the same list given above, including Zomato, Housing.com, TaxiForSure, Bankbazaar. Edited to add Yes, it looks like it's fake also. Opened a new item at RSN including an investigation on their use of vast numbers of fake Twitter followers. Edited once moreThey used to be branded pluggd.in; there are around 50 more articles sourced to this. Brianhe (talk) 20:10, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

@DGG: Maybe this is a good opportunity to reopen the discussion around notability & sourcing requirements for startups. Brianhe (talk) 20:10, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

Another probable fake news site: medianama.com. ~300 articles sourcing from it (links). Linked articles again include Zomato, Housing.com, Bankbazaar. Brianhe (talk) 21:02, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

Suggested guidelines on startups: -- material limited to information about motivation for starting an organization & funding prior to the first public offering is not reliable for probing notability. DGG ( talk ) 01:13, 9 October 2015 (UTC)

Continuing discussion on User talk:DGG. - Brianhe (talk) 15:26, 9 October 2015 (UTC)

• Possibly related: Annofbigbeach (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). Guy (Help!) 08:48, 9 October 2015 (UTC)

GetSomeUtah

• GetSomeUtah (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Elevations Residential Treatment Center (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

GetSomeUtah editing the Elevations Residential Treatment Center page appears to have a financial conflict of interest. Is deleting historical contributions. Only listing information from company's own website. Also editing and vandalizing the Island View Residential Treatment Center page. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 104.175.214.240 (talk) 9:15, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

• Incorrect reporting. GetSomeUtah is editing in good faith. The editor cannot be deleting historical contributions having just created the article last week. He/she has created the Elevations Residential Treatment Center at my suggestion in an attempt to separate the company from the former Island View Residential Treatment Center article, which operated previously from the same location. A look through the editing history of both articles shows that work. Obviously the editor is new, but his/ her editing style does not indicate either a paid advocate or promotional editing by someone with a COI is involved. Richard Harvey (talk) 19:15, 10 October 2015 (UTC)

  Note What is notable though is that the Anon editor initiating this report has the same IP, IE: Time Warner Cable, as three other Anon editors - User:2606:6000:6290:4A00:7ACA:39FF:FEB2:339C, User:2606:6000:6290:4A00:6D93:76C9:278C:3893 and User:2606:6000:6290:4A00:51C2:C383:D8E6:DCF1 - all of whom are soley editing those articles, apparently In an attempt to disrupt the separation of the two institutions into separate articles. Richard Harvey (talk) 19:46, 10 October 2015 (UTC)

  GetSomeUtah Says... Greetings. I welcome this discussion. The edit/revert war is wearing me out, and it sends the message that whatever effort a person puts into improving articles can just be erased by people with a bias and enough time on their hands. Yes, my edits have aimed to make clear that 1) Island View no longer exists and should be referred to in the past tense. 2) Elevations exists as a new and distinct entity.

In addition, it appears that other editors wish to make the claim that Elevations is "Island View by another name." Maybe we need another heading for that in the Elevations article. We could certainly do that. I don't know if that's allowed. What I'm seeing is people holding on to poorly sourced items that are either tied to custody battles or ire against Bain Capital/Mitt Romney. Anyway, I had to laugh when I saw that I was accused of having a financial interest in Island View/Elevations, as I was the one who created the "Controversy" section in Elevations, something that someone with a financial stake would be actively working against.

I don't believe I've actually added anything to either article that promotes either entity. It is true that I did draw, on one occasion, language from the Elevations website, but only to use it as a direct quote that replaced another editor's loaded language. I noted in my comments that this was in the interest of WP:NPOV and all are welcome to scrutinize my edit and see whether it's better than the biased version that I replaced.

As Mr. Harvey noted (thank you!), I created the Elevations article at his suggestion. So far it doesn't have any meat on it, other than that which the critics of Island View have started to heap on it. So, ironically, in creating the Elevations article, it gives the haters two outlets for poorly sourced allegations. I'm happy to step away, but I don't see anyone else working to steer the articles in the direction of WP:NPOV. Thanks and regards. GetSomeUtah (talk) 08:48, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

Policybazaar

• Policybazaar India (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Yashish Dahiya (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• 122.160.107.105 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

Frequent and persistent edits on this company from corp IP, as recently as 30 days ago. A remarkable, uninterrupted 4+ year record of SPA editors with one exception for POV cleanup in July of this year. I PRODded the article today. Article on CEO was already deleted for similar concerns. Brianhe (talk) 06:18, 9 October 2015 (UTC)

Leila Deen

• Leila Deen (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Fences and windows (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Jomoal99 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

The editing history of the article especially on the 6th. March 2009 [83], the very same day of the incident which gives the subject the claimed note and importance (by televised and photographed by the British Press throwing a cup of green custard onto a senior British Government minister; although quite possibly still falls under WP:1E), would suggest that the editor User:Fences and windows might be, or at least might have been once, a personal friend, or at least a social friend of the same British environmental activism cause, of the subject. If the user was either back then or is now a fellow activist or employee in either Greenpeace UK, Greenpeace USA or Plane Stupid, I think that he should have the honourable decency to declare it. The claimed note and importance for a separate biographical article are questionable, to say the very least. -- Urquhartnite (talk) 19:38, 9 October 2015 (UTC)

Baseless speculation. First Urquhartnite lectures me for expanding an article in 2009 (which I disagree is about a person only known for one event, as the coverage of them extends beyond that event), then after I add more detail following his recent redirect he now accuses me of a COI based on *zero evidence*. I don't know the subject and have never had any association with the WDM, Plane Stupid, or Greenpeace. Fences&Windows 13:31, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

Oblique lumbar lateral interbody fusion

• Oblique lumbar lateral interbody fusion (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Abbasi1969 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Biomeddir (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Page creator refers to himself as an example of a leading surgeon and uses a link to his work website --Iztwoz (talk) 21:13, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

Biomeddir appears to be a sock as well. I've started an SPI and sent the article to AFD. SmartSE (talk) 21:13, 12 October 2015 (UTC)

Abbasi1969 has identified himself as the coauthor, Hamid Abassi and Biomeddir as Chris Murphy. Now what? - Brianhe (talk) 07:58, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Sustainable Sanitation Alliance

Case opened by a sock

EvMsmile (changed name from EvM-Susana today)has WP:COI and probably shouldn't be editing articles that his organization Sustainable Sanitation Alliance has an interest in. On his user page: I used to go under the name of EvM-Susana because I was proud to show my affiliation with the SuSanA network[84] His organization is funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development . See Talk:Honey bucket where he has be accused of inappropriate canvassing. On his talk page,[85], he says he has posted on [86] soliciting input for his views on Wikipedia. And his solicitations for others to edit on wikipedia at an outside forum e.g.TOPIC: Honey bucket?? Shouldn't it be called bucket toilet or bucket latrine? An argument on Wikipedia There he signs as "Dr. Elisabeth von Muench, Independent consultant, Community manager of this forum via SEI (see: www.susana.org/en/resources/projects?search=SEI) Wikipedian, co-founder of WikiProject Sanitation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Sanitation. Thank you, ~~ This person is a sanitation expert who is spending their free time working in their area of expertise. This is similar to a physician working on health care topics. In fact this is the exact type of editor we are looking for. Now the concern is that we have a brand new User:Bebbebopp. What other accounts do you edit under I wonder? Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 16:29, 12 October 2015 (UTC) Have you looked at that forum thread, TOPIC: Honey bucket?? Shouldn't it be called bucket toilet or bucket latrine? An argument on Wikipedia User:Doc James? EvMsmile is the moderator there and tells people how to edit Wikipedia. e.g. "It seems that the two sides of people arguing are: North American Wikipedia editors who are not actually dealing with sanitation issues and who want it to stay as "honey bucket". Joe and I are arguing to change it and our main argument is that in the international sanitation literature the term honey bucket is not used. Also it is a strange euphemism, as excreta has nothing to do with honey! (except, perhaps, that it can also have a value). Is Joe mentioned in "Joe and I are arguing to change it ..." User:JMWt? Perhaps a meatpuppet? "But if you have an opinion on this term, please feel free to put it here and to also copy it to the talk page of the article:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Honey_bucket You can do so even without having a Wikipedia login. Just click on "edit source" and finish your statement with the four tildes: ~~~~ as this provides a "date stamp" for what you've written (but it will be an anonymous contribution without showing your name). So is this just "a sanitation expert who is spending their free time working in their area of expertise"? Bebbebopp (talk) 17:18, 12 October 2015 (UTC) What do you think you are proving from this, Bebbebopp? I have never received payments from any organisation involved in Sanitation, I have never received payment from SuSanA, I have never received or been offered payment to edit wikipedia. In a profound sense I am not an "expert" in sanitation but an interested amateur. Not that it is any business of yours, to be honest. JMWt (talk) 17:24, 12 October 2015 (UTC) I also don't really see the problem with a moderator on a professional discussion forum telling other users how to edit wikipedia pages. What do you think that is proving?JMWt (talk) 17:31, 12 October 2015 (UTC) Please read WP:COI. It has nothing to do with being paid. It is about the pov in Wikipedia articles that results from the bias of editors such as SuSanA forum members. Conflict of interest is not about actual bias. It is about a person's roles and relationships, and the tendency to bias that we assume exists when roles conflict.[3] That someone has a conflict of interest is a description of a situation. It is not a judgment about that person's state of mind or integrity. The link to the forum thread above also shows the attempt to organize WP:Meatpuppeting to affect sanitation articles on Wikipedia. Bebbebopp (talk) 17:57, 12 October 2015 (UTC) I have read WP:COI, if your allegation is not related to WP:PAY, then you need to show that it is related to one of the other policies, namely WP:COVERT, WP:COILEGAL, COICAMPAIGN, WP:SELFCITE, WP:CURATOR. Very clearly none of those apply here. SuSanA is a voluntary professional organisation with thousands of individual and organisational members. It does not take a view on specifics of sanitation issues, and has members who believe and act in different ways, sometimes completely opposite ways. The "only" belief of SuSanA is to promote sustainable sanitation as the name implies. The general allegation of meatpuppetry is nonsense because it is clearly not an issue to encourage professionals to organise and edit wikipedia as User:Doc James has already mentioned above with relation to medicine. There are numerous examples of professionals being encouraged to contribute to wikipedia in medicine and elsewhere, there is no "meatpuppetry" going on here . JMWt (talk) 18:19, 12 October 2015 (UTC) User:Bebbebopp, you are clearly not new to Wikipedia, but you have so far edited here and at the Honey Bucket debate. Please let us know who you are and what your motivation is in this matter. --Slashme (talk) 20:38, 12 October 2015 (UTC) Just as a comment from someone professionally involved in sanitation issues (amongst other things) in the UK, I have not seen any evidence of undue bias or promotional editing. Quite the reverse, EvMsmile has added value to articles and has been a useful , balanced and constructive editor. All professionals contributing here might be construed as having a COI taking the most pedantic meaning of the term in that we have an interest which we write about, hopefully with knowledge and insight. I can't believe that in the absence of anything more concrete (or anything at all in this case) that this complaint is not summarily closed as unfounded.  Velella  Velella Talk   20:44, 12 October 2015 (UTC) Have collapsed due to issue of socking. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 21:01, 12 October 2015 (UTC)

Rocket Internet

• Rocket Internet (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• 78.52.203.22 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Articles on this company and its subsidiaries have been a problem at COIN before (Rocket Internet, archive 89) with involvement of UPEs and sockfarms. Recently the criticism of the company has been wikiwashed from a Berlin IP, a reminder that this needs to be watched.– Brianhe (talk) 17:36, 12 October 2015 (UTC)

@KylieTastic: Thanks for reverting the wikiwashing noted above. Brianhe (talk) 17:40, 12 October 2015 (UTC)

@Doc James: You blocked one of the non-TOS-compliant editors active at this article before (Wintertanager); might need admin intervention again if this anon editor seems unwilling to go with consensus based editing. Brianhe (talk) 17:54, 12 October 2015 (UTC)

There was no whitewashing. I made a note on the talk page. I hope this helps. I just can´t see the relevance to coin normal staff fluctuation in a firm as controversial. The old version seems not written from a neutral point of view. Regards — Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.52.203.22 (talk) 18:06, 12 October 2015 (UTC)

Semi protected article in question for a month. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 21:06, 12 October 2015 (UTC)

Penelope1114

• Benjamin Genocchio (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Tad Martin (entrepreneur) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Heidi Messer (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Stephen Messer (entrepreneur) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Seth M. Siegel (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Vringo (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Penelope1114 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Paid editor, has very correctly declared as much in relation to some articles, but not in relation to others. Previous username was Sixpoint Partners. Edits include substantial additions to Seth M. Siegel, who founded Sixpoint Partners and Vringo. Appears not to understand, or to wish to accept, that paid editors are discouraged from editing in article space – see Benjamin Genocchio (yes, him again!). Apart from the COI, there seem to be copyright problems too, at least at Heidi Messer and her brother Stephen; will look deeper tomorrow. Justlettersandnumbers (talk) 00:49, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

This editor's declaration on her talk page that "I have been hired to update the Benjamin Genocchio article. I adhere strictly to the guidelines that govern BLPs. I declare no CIO in creating this article." is clearly contradictory. As a paid editor, she has an obvious inherent COI, and her refusal to acknowledge that leads to doubts about her adherence to BLP policy as well. With paid editors, the question of whose requirements will be dominant, those of the client or those of Wikipedia, is a constant problem, and the statements of this editor do not resolve that dilemma. I second the suggestion that she be required not to edit these articles directly, and only make suggestions on the article's talk page. BMK (talk) 07:46, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Penelope1114 has been alerted to the discussion here, but hasn't responded. Instead she has filed an ANI complaint against Justlettersandnumbers with respect to the Benjamin Genocchio article,[87] and has also taken it to WP:BLPN. I'm going to assume good faith that she didn't realize it was a bad idea to spread the discussion over several noticeboards; I've dropped a note on her page to tell her it is, and urge her to respond here to the concerns raised here.

I have taken a look at her additions to Benjamin Genocchio, and I find parts of them, certainly, improper for an encyclopedia. Here's one: In March of 2002 Genocchio was catapulted into the limelight when his review of the exhibition “The Italians: Three Centuries of Italian Art” received front-page placement garnering international attention." My italics. Typical promospeak. In a way I don't blame you, Penelope: we know it's genuinely difficult for people from the PR world to write in a non-PR style even when they try. But until you gain a grasp of that, you should only contribute to the bios you're paid to edit via requests on the article talkpages. (You have never edited an article talkpage.) I believe that offering changes on article talkpages and having them discussed by experienced editors (which is best practice anyway, and strongly recommended, see [88]) would help you to quickly learn more about contributing in the appropriate encyclopedic style. Please believe me, you will really serve your clients better in the long run by following Wikipedia's policies and best practices. Bishonen | talk 14:19, 13 October 2015 (UTC).

Bishonen Thank you for your feedback. I try my best to maintain an encyclopedic tone and have obviously missed the mark, certainly on the sentence you mention. As you say, it can be difficult to adhere to the NPOV but it is important. It would be my hope that my entire revision to Benjamin Genocchio would not be reverted for those sentences which need reworking. Every statement has been referenced with a verifiable citation. Any mention of Genocchio being 'one of the first' to do something in particular was only made with a reference to back that statement up. The reason Genocchio came to me for assistance is that his BLP was under attack and no Wikipedia editors were doing anything about it. My allegiance is to upholding the guidelines Wikipedia has in place. That is why since it was mandated in June 2014 I have declared my paid editing and it is why certain BLP subjects have come to me for help. Their desire is to have a more complete, factual article and that is what I provide for the betterment of that particular Wikipedia article. I do my best and trust that the Wikipedia community will improve upon what I have done. I work as an independent, small level Wikipedia editor. I edit throughout Wikipedia only some of the time for compensation. I strive to adhere to the appropriate styles and guidelines as I edit. Thanks to all for your discussion on this matter. Penelope1114 (talk) 15:27, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Now that the hype has been removed, is the article subject even notable? His major books are all co-authored with his wife Melissa Chiu, who heads the Smithsonian Institution's Hirshhorn Museum. The article subject just runs a blog, "the global art market newswire", which tracks art prices. As an organization, that would probably fail WP:CORP. John Nagle (talk) 18:13, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

India International Friendship Society

• India International Friendship Society (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

articles linking to it

Amichand Rajbansi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Shahin Badar (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Dhirubhai Shah (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Prema Cariappa (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Harjap Singh Bhangal (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Bharati Vaishampayan (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) 12th Gyalwang Drukpa (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Shamim Jairajpuri (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Prem Chand Pandey (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Sunil Dutt (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Adnan Sami (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Indian Institute of Aeronautical Engineering (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) List of awards and nominations received by Rajesh Khanna (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Ajit Singh (economist) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) K. K. Aggarwal (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Neiliezhü Üsou (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Ajit Singh (economist) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) M J Warsi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) St. Joseph's Convent Higher Secondary School, Sambalpur (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) Panangipalli Venugopal (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

Another dubious award, Bharat Jyoti/"Glory of India", with a hefty entry fee. And a couple of GF editors holding back a tide of SPAs and anon editors. Further discussion at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Prasoon Kumar (2013), Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Prem Raj Pushpakaran (2012), Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/India International Friendship Society (2nd nomination) (2012). — Brianhe (talk) 07:28, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Unfortunately all the three sources for the awards being a scam are dead links. (Two of them are to newspaper articles from 2006.) If somebody can find a couple of accessible sources, I'll be all for deleting any bio where notability is based on this expensive award, as well as India International Friendship Society itself. Bishonen | talk 14:32, 13 October 2015 (UTC).

One of them was archived [89]. The writer of the second, a government officer, says he located then visited the office: a 5 by 5 foot room in a shantytown. Here's the link [90]. I like this bit: "Your ‘achievements’ can range from sleeping 18 hours a day to singing serenades on a riverbank." I was able to revive the third link to a blog as well. An interesting tidbit: the articles referring to this group variously call them Delhi-based, London-based and U.S.-based. Their DNS registry details are hidden behind an Australian domain privacy provider. – Brianhe (talk) 19:20, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

I have had a good deal of interaction with this article, and !voted to keep it at its last AFD, because its awards are often mentioned in the Indian press. However, I have come to realize since then that the Indian press often publishes puff pieces about various people based largely on material that those subjects provide themselves, including the receipt of this organization's awards. The few newspaper articles that have tried to cover this organization in depth have come up with a lot of nothing. I suspect the proper treatment of this article would be a third AFD. WikiDan61^ChatMe!_ReadMe!! 20:21, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Implausible non-paid-editing for Mr RD

• Mr RD (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Ajay Singh (entrepreneur) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Ankita Tiwana (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Anushka Khanna (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Archana Kochhar (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) disregard, this one was disclosed
• B&ES TR/19 (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Bill on Intelligence (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Biswapati Sarkar (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Bombay Presidency Golf Club (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Box8 (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Century Plyboards (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Durga Charan Panigrahi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Already disclosed COI
• East India Comedy (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Gajendra Verma (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Gregory T. Lucier (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) N de-PRODded
• Gulab Kothari (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Already disclosed COI
• Gulshan Lal Tandon (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Internshala (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Already disclosed COI
• ISM to IIT (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Also disclosed COI on user page.
• Jitendra Kumar (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Kenny Kelley (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Had disclosed earlier here but later removed as page was redirected
• Kunal Shah (entrepreneur) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - specifically denied paid editing here
• Olivier Courson (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Rahul Yadav (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - Housing.com CEO
• Rashi Khanna (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Sanjay Manaktala (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Shudh Desi Endings (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Tanmay Bhat (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Tanvi Hegde (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• The Oriental Insurance Company (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - N uses citation to Policybazaar India which he has de-PRODded Brianhe (talk) 20:55, 13 October 2015 (UTC)
• The Viral Fever (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• We Are Knuckle Dragger (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

Mr RD has been an editor here since April 2013. In late 2014, he disclosed that he's a paid editor at least some of the time. There don't seem to be paid disclosures from him for any of the articles above, each of which was created by him. When I asked about one of them he said it was personal interest [91]. This seems implausible for the entire set. It's worth noting in this context that several of the articles created by this editor have significant known COI problems that have been discussed here before. – Brianhe (talk) 18:07, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

I do not have any WP:COI with Kunal Shah (entrepreneur) page. I came to know about the person over [92], a YouTube channel, for which I also created a Wikipedia page. I'm a regular viewer of their content and that's how I thought of creating a page for them and many of their performers like Jitendra Kumar, Biswapati Sarkar. Mr RD 18:22, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Note: However, I did contacted Kunal afterwards seeking an image for his Wikipedia page but I NEVER INTENDED TO OR RECEIVED ANY MONETARY OR COMPENSATION IN ANY MANNER. Mr RD 18:26, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

So you have a personal interest in plywood companies too? How about this. Have you been compensated for editing any of the articles listed above? Please answer with a simple yes or no. — Brianhe (talk) 18:58, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

NO. If I had, I would have disclosed so. Century Plyboards comes under Wikiproject India and Companies, both among my field of interest. I de-prodded PolicyBazaar as I found enough citations to support its notability. I'm associated with Wikiproject:India and better understand if an Indian company is notable or not. Not everything you see is black & white. Mr RD 19:07, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Mr RD, this isn't my first rodeo. Your claims are implausible. It would go better for you if you just said that you had forgotten to tag some articles. I'm now going to restate some words that I used when having this conversation with another editor who ended up getting blocked because they persisted in the same sorts of claims.

Your editing history is singularly focused on attention-seeking people, whose own careers benefit from the attention you provide them. It looked indistinguishable from paid COI to me (see User:Brianhe/COIbox2 and Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard/Archive 87#EBY3221 for clearly parallel cases) and we investigate this sort of stuff day after day, as is appropriate. One additional thing: I write sometimes about authors who probably benefit from attention, and I write sometimes about rocks that don't care if they get attention (my history is also transparently documented at my userpage). But if all I wrote about was attention-seeking people, and never about rocks, it wouldn't be surprising to me if some other editor confronted me about it and at least asked the question "why"? Brianhe (talk) 19:30, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Apart from a suspicious mind I'd say there is nothing else going on. I help those who are notable according to me but lack technical know-how of how to create a Wikipedia page. I disclose the relation with them both on my user page and on the talk page of the subject as per Wikimedia guidelines. Moreover, to improve Wikipedia further, I create Wikipedia pages over subjects which are googled often, are notable also but do not have any Wikipedia page. Is it too hard to believe? You are free to review all my contributions and I believe I have revealed all of them to my knowledge (I removed some of them as when they got deleted or redirected to some other pages). In many of the pages you've mentioned, like Archana Kochhar which you mentioned specifically in your last comment, I have already disclosed my COI. As far as argument of rock goes, there are 7 billion people on earth, not everyone is same. Mr RD 19:53, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Full contribution surveyor results are at User:Brianhe/COIbox27#Contribution surveyor and in addition to the creations listed above, include such things as an in-depth look at the various acquisitions of Irish Car Rentals [93], refspam for pet sitters [94], the notable advertising campaigns of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau [95], and so on. – Brianhe (talk) 20:55, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Please give me some time to analyze these. I do not have access to such tool and will happily include all where I have any COI. Thank you. Mr RD 21:06, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Actually you do, http://tools.wmflabs.org/contributionsurveyor which created the results I posted at User:Brianhe/COIbox27#Contribution surveyor when given your account name as input. But I don't see why you need to analyze your own editing??? By the way when another COI editor dragged things out for over a month and claimed the dog ate his email, things didn't go well for him. – Brianhe (talk) 22:06, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Raju Kapuria

• Dag Creative Media (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Katmundu (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Har Har Byomkesh (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Besh Korechi Prem Korechi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Aponjon (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Ichchenodi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Bela Seshe (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• List of programs broadcast by Star Jalsha (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Koushik Roy (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Fahim Mirza (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Surinder Films (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Proloy Asche (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Mon Niye Kachakachi (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Jamai 420 (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Raju Kapuria (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

User has not responded to two editors asking on his talkpage whether he is a paid editor. Editing history suggests the answer is positive. In fact user has never posted to his own talkpage, any other user's talkpage, or an article talkpage. – Brianhe (talk) 20:41, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Patrick Macdonald-King

• Patrick Macdonald-King (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Prime focus technologies (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Kyra Jones (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Roadpiper (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Context: Archive 86 PFT.

This is too obvious. Suspicious editing of previously deleted COI articles by brand-new editor Kyra Jones. Brand-new editor Roadpiper took over immediately after I asked Kyra Jones if she was a paid editor. Brianhe (talk) 04:24, 14 October 2015 (UTC)