Multiple account abuse (Wikipedia)

A sock puppet in Wikipedia is an alternative account used deceptively. Wikipedia does not check the identity of a user when they open an account, and thus it is possible for the same user to edit the encyclopedia from two different accounts without the knowledge of other users. Wikipedia does not forbid multiple accounts as such, although it discourages the use of multiple accounts to create the illusion of greater support for an issue, and expressly forbids the use of to avoid scrutiny, to mislead others by making disruptive edits with one account and normal ones with another, or otherwise stir up controversy. "Misuse of an alternative account may result in being blocked from editing". It also discourages voters from voting more than once via multiple accounts, (but qualifies this with the comment that "typically it is the weight of arguments that wins the day").

The result is a system that is difficult to manage, and there is considerable evidence of abuse of multiple accounts in Wikipedia elections, both by ordinary users and by Wikipedia 'administrators'.

References

• Multiple account policy on Wikipedia