Hi all,

We are making a minor update to the Wikimedia Foundation Privacy Policy https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Privacy_policy. In preparation of the full deployment of Temporary Accounts https://diff.wikimedia.org/2024/11/05/say-hi-to-temporary-accounts-easier-collaboration-with-logged-out-editors-with-better-privacy-protection/ to all wikis, we are updating our Privacy Policy.

Example changes:

- Include reference to temporary accounts wherever IP editing is referenced in the Wikimedia Foundation Privacy Policy https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Privacy_policy and Data Retention Guidelines https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Legal:Wikimedia_Foundation_Data_Retention_Guidelines . -

Include information about temporary accounts within Functionality cookies in the Privacy Policy FAQ https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Privacy_policy/Frequently_asked_questions#Can_you_give_me_some_examples_of_types_of_cookies_and_how_you_use_local_storage? and Cookie Statement https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Cookie_statement#What_types_of_cookies_does_Wikimedia_use_and_for_what_purposes? .

Additionally, we are taking this opportunity to adjust how we describe personal information to better align with people’s expectations, clarify processing purposes for commonly used technologies, and provide better transparency on third-party service providers that help run or improve the Wikimedia Sites by including a link to our existing page on Select Service Providers’ Information https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Wikimedia_Foundation_Privacy_Policy/Select_Service_Providers%27_Information more prominently.

The changes we are making focus on making language more consistent and provide more detailed information to explain the ways we use personal information to operate the wiki projects. Updates to the following policies will take effect on 6 October, 2025:

-

Privacy Policy https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Privacy_policy#Contact_Us -

Privacy Policy FAQ https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Privacy_policy/Frequently_asked_questions#Wikimedia_Foundation_Privacy_Policy_Frequently_Asked_Questions -

Cookie statement https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Cookie_statement# -

Data Retention Guidelines https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Legal:Wikimedia_Foundation_Data_Retention_Guidelines

As we committed to in the main Privacy policy, we are providing these minor changes with at least three (3) calendar days’ prior notice. If you have questions about the latest policy updates, please email us at privacy@wikimedia.org.

Best,

Aki on behalf of the Wikimedia Foundation Legal team https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation/Legal