Read on for information on when to request suppression, how to request it, and what information the oversighter will need from you. You must never draw attention to suppressible material and links on Wikipedia or other public venues. Requests are only accepted by email or other private methods. |
When will we suppress?
We suppress edits that breach somebody's privacy or defame somebody. We only suppress if they do this in such a way that the edit should not be visible even to Wikipedia administrators; otherwise, Revision Deletion (RevDel) may be used. Wikipedia has a strict privacy policy that means we only allow an edit, once it is suppressed, to be viewed by a small, vetted, and identified team of highly-trusted users (the "Oversighters"). Please see Wikipedia:Oversight for more information on the Oversight/suppression system and team members. We usually suppress an edit or other information on Wikipedia if it contains the following types of information:
We will use our best judgement in applying these criteria to your request. If we deny your request, you can instead request speedy deletion or revision deletion. These processes remove content from public view and leave it visible only to administrators; this is adequate for many cases, and means your content is unavailable to almost every Wikipedia reader. Appeal of our decisions is only to the Arbitration Committee. What information do we need?
You and anybody may request suppression at any time, but we will require the following information. Please ensure you provide it, or your request will be delayed.
If you know how to do so, please also:
How do you contact us?
Choose one or more of the following: |
Using Wikipedia's quick form – recommended if you have an account If you have a Wikipedia account with email enabled, then use this form to directly post a request. (click here to enable account email) This is one of the fastest ways to request suppression. Please use a descriptive subject line.Monitored at most times.
Using your own email to send a message to us – recommended if you don't have a Wikipedia user account If you don't have a Wikipedia account with email enabled or prefer to use some other method of emailing, then email directly to: oversight-en-wp Monitored at most times.
Using IRC If you use IRC (tutorial), then you can ask for an oversighter, or help finding an oversighter, in any of Wikipedia's official channels on Freenode. Visit this IRC channel and type the trigger word !oversight
Fast if an oversighter is around and available.
By direct personal contact If you know an oversighter and can contact one directly, you may do so. Requests do not have to be submitted through any official route, though you should not post it to their talk page. However, if the oversighter is not available then the above methods (especially sending an email request) will ensure an oversighter acts upon your request. Users with oversighter status are listed here. Consider using the form or email as well to make sure the request is seen as soon as possible. |