Hello,
It has been over a year since the first commission was appointed. It was high time for renewal. I would like to thank you our previous team, Nathan, Steve and Enders for their help over the past year (their task was not always very easy), and welcome the new team * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mackensen * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rebecca * http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Hei_ber
The ombudsman commission is tasked with processing complaints about violations of the privacy policy on any Wikimedia project, in particular concerning the use of CheckUser tools. The ombudsman is tasked with investigating cases of such policy breach or CheckUser abuse for the board in an official manner. They will mediate between the complainant and the respondent (usually a CheckUser, bureaucrat, administrator, or arbitration committee member). When legally necessary, the ombudsman will assist the general counsel, the executive director or the board in handling the case.
Since the issue was raised during the year, let me repeat that the commission is not here to fix various disagreements and abuse reports, but is dedicated to issues related to privacy policy infringments.
These people were selected to provide a healthy mix of language, project and gender diversity. Two have been CU, so are familiar with this role and the issues related to CU activities. The third is deeply interested in privacy policy issues. All have been highly recommanded. I hope you will feel confortable with them joining this commission.
More on the commission here: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ombudsman_commission
Best
Florence