[Foundation-l] WMF resolution on access to non-public data passed

Sean Whitton sean at silentflame.com
Tue May 1 19:01:38 UTC 2007


Whoops, gmail keyboard shortcuts can be too good at times... here is the rest:

... others, I think that there is perhaps a way for the Foundation to
get round the issue in order to keep volunteers. I know that I handle
a good deal of private information for freenode as part of the group
registration process, but we are getting round this by using a
Non-Consent Agreement - this will allow us to all handle data
regardless of age as we are still legally bound. Why would we escape
this legally just for being under 18? I'm sure that the law still
places a degree of liability upon minors.

Simply: I think that there must be a way to get round this to help
both WMF and its younger volunteers, but that in general the
resolution is a good idea - we need *something* covering this hole, so
to speak, before an accident happens.

Thanks,
Sean

On 01/05/07, Sean Whitton <sean at silentflame.com> wrote:
> Well, it looks like I'm going to have to give up OTRS for a year and a
> half or so. It seems to me a shame that this had to happen, as a
> strong arm of the community is under eighteen. However, looking at the
> reasoning behind this, I cannot deny that it is well founded and the
> resolution in that light seems necessary. It makes sense that we need
> to protect ourselves from unpleasant situations with age (I should
> note that I totally agree with the requirement of some form of ID
> right now for legal reasons, but age is the only thing I take issue
> with).
>
> Despite this, looking at the issue again and after having discussed it with
>
> On 01/05/07, Kat Walsh <kat at mindspillage.org> wrote:
> > The Wikimedia Foundation has passed a resolution requiring all users
> > with access to non-public data covered by the site's Privacy Policy to
> > provide identification to the Foundation. This includes checkusers,
> > oversights, stewards, and volunteers on OTRS. In addition, all users
> > holding these positions must be 18 or older, and also of the age of
> > majority in whichever jurisdiction they live in.
> >
> > To read the details of the resolution, please see:
> > http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Access_to_nonpublic_data
> >
> > A number of parties have trusted us with private, sensitive, or
> > confidential information. Some of the handling of this information is
> > delegated, by necessity, to certain trusted volunteers. In
> > consideration of those who depend on us to behave responsibly, and the
> > reasonable and commonly-accepted practices for handling private
> > information, we wish to be able to say who is responsible for handling
> > this information to ensure that volunteers can be held accountable for
> > their own actions.
> >
> > Those affected by this resolution should contact Cary Bass, WMF
> > volunteer coordinator, at cbass at wikimedia.org. We will also attempt to
> > contact everyone individually who will need to do this; however,
> > please spread this message to those in your communities.
> >
> > For the Wikimedia Foundation,
> > Kat Walsh
> >
> > --
> > Wikimedia needs you: http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Fundraising
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > foundation-l mailing list
> > foundation-l at lists.wikimedia.org
> > http://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
> >
>
>
> --
> —Sean Whitton (seanw)
> <sean at silentflame.com>
> http://seanwhitton.com/
>


-- 
—Sean Whitton (seanw)
<sean at silentflame.com>
http://seanwhitton.com/



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