Wikipedia testing new method to curb false info

August 25, 2009

(AP) -- Wikipedia says it is testing a new method for curbing false information on pages devoted to individual people.

The online encyclopedia, which anyone can edit, has posted test pages that require changes to be approved by an experienced Wikipedia editor before they show up.

If the site's users respond well to the test run, the new restrictions will apply to all entries for living people. That's according to Jay Walsh, a spokesman for Wikimedia Foundation, which runs the site.

The idea is to block the kind of high-profile vandalism that has marred the pages of some famous people.

Wikipedia doesn't want to discourage legitimate editing, though. The criteria for "experienced editor" status is low. Walsh says users who are registered for a few days can give changes the OK.

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getgoa - Aug 25, 2009
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This article makes no sense: wikipedia can remove the edit page option on the articles?
http://en.wikiped...i/Hitler
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MatthiasF - Aug 25, 2009
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They're limiting edit access to certain articles by the age of the account and limiting anonymous access. This stops people using automated systems that vandalize certain articles repeatedly, fighting against editors correcting.

Make sense now?
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docknowledge - Aug 26, 2009
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Yeah, this particular article doesn't make sense. But it is big news. This BBC article explains more clearly: http://news.bbc.c...0220.stm

Until now, in the English Wikipedia, any 8 year old could log on and falsify the birthday, romance, number of albums sold. Now people who haven't been around in Wiki awhile are not able to edit certain articles that are subject to embarrassing vandalism.
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