Wikipedia:Restrictions on Anonymous Editing from Shared IPs
 | The following is a proposed Wikipedia policy, guideline, or process. The proposal may still be in development, under discussion, or in the process of gathering consensus for adoption. |
This policy proposes to prohibit any AOL user to edit any Wikipedia article until he or she registers with Wikipedia. Please read completely before voting on the discussion page.
Reasons
- AOL users change their IP address at the speed of lightning
- Repeat vandals using AOL can benefit from the above statement
- An admin that would typically block a vandal will block the AOL address, but doing so will harm several other good AOL users
- It would be simpler if an AOL user registers. If an AOL user vandalizes an article, his or her account will be blocked, and if an AOL user tries to edit anonymously, he or she will be required to log in.
Effects of the policy
- AOL users will not be able to edit; instead, if they click the edit tab, they will see a message saying that they should sign up to edit.
- The typical edit this page tab will turn into a View Source or edit(requires log in) tab if an anon edits from an AOL IP address.
- If an AOL IP address signs up and then continues to vandalize, his or her account will be easily blocked by an admin without harming several people.
A good side
- If a good AOL contributor comes around to edit articles that need improving, he or she will have to register. In good time, that user may become an admin.
- An admin will easily block a vandal that was forced to sign up without any fear of blocking several other people.
- Vandalism from anonymous AOL IP addresses will decrease to zero.