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Wikipedia:Responding to threats of harm

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ed6767 (talk | contribs) at 23:10, 8 November 2020 (add info for RedWarn users). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.


If you see a threat of physical harm (including self-harm):

1. Treat all claims seriously

  • Many threats are empty, but leave that evaluation to Foundation staff.
  • If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency services.


2. Contact the Wikimedia Foundation
Immediately email emergency@wikimedia.org with details of the threat.

Users of RedWarn can access a reporting tool on a diff or user page through More Options > Report to Wikimedia Trust and Safety.
  • Include the name of the page where the threat was made, or a diff.
  • This address is monitored around the clock. Staff will typically acknowledge your email immediately.
  • Avoid emailing other addresses or telephoning the Wikimedia Foundation office, as this creates confusion.
  • Staff will take appropriate action, such as tracing locations and contacting authorities.


3. Contact administrators
In addition to emailing the Wikimedia Foundation as above, notify Wikipedia administrators privately.

  • Even if you are an administrator, notify other administrators.
  • Use email, IRC, or other low-visibility methods, not high-traffic noticeboards.
  • If in doubt, join #wikipedia-en-revdel connect. If you don't have an IRC client, click the green connect button to launch web-based IRC.


Advice for administrators

  • Threats of suicide or other self-harm require discretion on the questions of blocking or removal of posts.
  • Threats against others should be met with blocking (generally including removal of talk page access) and possibly blocking email as well. Such threats should be blanked/redacted; consider applying revdel as well.
  • Request oversight (suppression) of any post containing personal information.
  • If in doubt, email the office at emergency@wikimedia.org; stay off of high-traffic noticeboards.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Responding_to_threats_of_harm&oldid=987738588"