Forum:Multiple account policy
The Sims Wiki currently has a brief entry in its general policies devoted to "sock puppetry"; that is, the deliberate use of multiple accounts. For several reasons, I am proposing that we spin this policy off into its own dedicated policy, which I am tentatively proposing as the multiple account policy.
My proposed policy can be viewed at User:LostInRiverview/MAP.
This proposal does a few key things. First, it puts the Sockpuppet policy onto its own page, so it is easier to find and link to, as opposed to linking to a specific point on the General Policies page. It also explicitly defines sockpuppet as a bad faith use of multiple accounts, and outlines more clearly the process by which a good faith alternate account can be approved. In fact, the definition of sockpuppet in the proposed policy is the only major change from current wiki policies and general practices.
I felt it was important to give a formal definition to what sockpuppetry is and, more importantly, what it is not. Most definitions of the term that I've read elsewhere, such as on Wikipedia's page on the topic, apply the term sockpuppetry specifically to bad faith usage of multiple accounts, while our policy applied the term to all uses of multiple accounts. Since the term itself is a loaded one, I think it's best to reserve its usage only for instances of bad faith usage, in order to avoid stigmatizing users who are acting in good faith and either accidentally violate the policy or seek to get an approved multiple account.
Aside from this, the proposed policy is, I think, pretty much in line with current policy and established practices. I'd love to hear what you all have to say about it, or if you have any suggested changes. -- LiR talk · blog · contribs 05:18, December 23, 2016 (UTC)