• can@sh.itjust.works
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    24 hours ago

    What the actual fuck

    Edit:

    With Jimmy Wales’ assent, the WMF removed and locked the page. As unhappy as Wikipedians were about it, blocking content can be temporary. If the Foundation reveals these editors’ identities, this is a decision it can never reverse.

    Guess I’ll be watching this one closely.

    • VindictiveJudge@lemmy.world
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      4 hours ago

      Isn’t it pretty normal for judges to prohibit plaintiffs and defendants from talking about active court cases outside of the court room? I doubt Asian News International is allowed to publish articles about the case, either.

    • schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de
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      15 hours ago

      I would never have become aware that that article existed if not for everyone talking about it being censored. The Streisand effect seems to still be alive.

    • Otter@lemmy.ca
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      24 hours ago

      In a recent court proceeding, WMF’s legal team offered a supposed middle path, proposing it take the unusual step of serving summons to the editors itself, thereby revealing their identities only to the court, not the wider public. Wikipedians, however, do not see this as a compromise—it’s capitulation. Last week, Wikipedia editors published an open letter to the Foundation, urging it to protect its volunteers’ privacy regardless of the outcome. It reads in part

      only to the court, not the wider public

      Would this really be that much better? Once the information is out, it’s impossible to hide again

      And the consequences would not end with this case. Compliance may discourage contributions from editors worldwide, not just those under authoritarian rule. WMF submission could encourage other governments to make similar demands, putting Wikipedia in an untenable position and reducing its influence where free knowledge is needed most

      This bit also seemed important

      • can@sh.itjust.works
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        24 hours ago

        Wikipedia has plenty of experience being blocked in the world’s largest country, which was the case until India’s population surpassed China’s in April 2023. If India takes the most drastic step, the Foundation can stand proud in its resolve.

        Sounds easy enough to me.