Department of Health banned from Wikipedia

 

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Posted on 28 Feb 2008 at 14:36

The Department of Health has been banned from Wikipedia for making too many edits, according to parliamentary records.

Labour minister of state for the Department of Health, Ben Bradshaw, was asked to explain why Health officials had been meddling with Wikipedia in a written parliamentary question.

Bradshaw said he could not identify the specific edits or on what pages they had occurred, due to the cost involved, but did admit the department was responsible for 1,500 Wikipedia edits between 22 August 2005 and 3 August 2007, which had led to a ban.

"Wikipedia has blocked the Department's IP address for creating or amending entries," Bradshaw notes. "Information on the Wikipedia site indicates that this has occurred because it has identified the IP address as being shared by many users.

"Since the IP address has been blocked, staff wishing to create or edit entries from departmental computers must create a user account with Wikipedia. Wikipedia will not release details of user accounts."

The Department of Health denies that staff were asked to edit the site as part of their duties. "The Department does not contribute to Wikipedia and it is not part of the Department's communication or information strategy," a spokesperson tells PC Pro.

"We have strict policy and guidance that covers staff on the acceptable use of IT including personal use. Staff must not risk bringing the Department into disrepute. Any staff accessing Wikipedia from DH computers, including creation, editing or just reading material are doing so for personal use."

Author: Stuart Turton