- WP:RFCHECK redirects here. For requesting that a checkuser be performed, see Wikipedia:Requests for checkuser.
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CheckUsers are a small number of users with access to a special tool, who are permitted to examine user IP information and other server log data under certain circumstances, for the purposes of protecting Wikipedia against actual and potential disruption and abuse. Checkuser itself simply produces log information for checking; it can require considerable skill and experience to investigate cases even with the tool.
On the English Wikipedia, CheckUser is entrusted to a restricted number of users, who can both execute CheckUser inquiries subject to the requirements of the CheckUser policy, and monitor and crosscheck each other's use of the function.
Historically, CheckUser rights have been held mostly by members of the Arbitration Committee (both past and current) and selected Bureaucrats as their election required the highest degree of the community approval. However, starting from 2007, ArbCom started to select users to grant checkuser access without seeking the community support; however, the Foundation's checkuser policy also allows CheckUsers to be selected by community consensus. This process is similar to that used for requests for adminship and bureaucratship (above), except that anyone whose request for CheckUsership is approved by the community must also submit personal identification to the Wikimedia Foundation (per the relevant policy), and must be vetted and approved by the Arbitration Committee.
Nominations will be closed by bureaucrats, in the same way as requests for adminship and bureaucratship. As per Foundation policy, a request must have a minimum of 75-80% support from editors in good standing in order to pass. The closing bureaucrat will then present the candidate to the Arbitration Committee, who will check that the candidate meets Foundation requirements for the granting of CheckUser powers.
Any editor in good standing, provided they meet the Foundation requirements for CheckUsers, may be nominated. Self-nominations are allowed. However, it is strongly recommended that you do not submit a request for CheckUsership unless you are an experienced and trusted editor, and unless you are willing to submit verification of your personal identity to the Wikimedia Foundation and are 18 years of age (as this is a Foundation-wide policy, which cannot be changed by consensus on the English Wikipedia).
How to nominate: Create a new RfCheck page as you would for an RfA, and insert {{subst:RfCheck|User=USERNAME|Description=YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THE USER ~~~~}}. If nominating someone else, you may wish to place {{RfCheck-nom}} on their talk page, to notify them.