Protecting the people: Some recommendations for safety while contributing to Wikimedia projects

Members of the Human Rights Team presented at Wikimania in Poland to raise awareness about some of the human rights risks that may be associated with volunteering on wiki projects and provide contributors with recommendations to maintain a safe and secure environment.

Human rights are a little like oxygen: people tend to take it for granted until something goes wrong. We also tend to assume it’s all the same all over—at least until we transition from sea level to higher elevation and find out it’s not just the view that’s different. But the human rights that are recognized vary from place to place–not only across legal boundaries, but in different spaces within them. For instance, many of us can recall a time where online harassment was not taken seriously anywhere in the world. Additionally, the freedom to share information safely is not a guaranteed right. The United Nations has undertaken to recognize some human rights as universal, and in 2021 it affirmed that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online. 

The Human Rights Policy commits the Wikimedia Foundation to protect, respect, and support the rights of users within our ecosystem. This includes how we respond to and protect members of our movement against demands and threats from governments that violate the human rights of people who contribute to or interact with the Wikimedia movement; how we respond to and protect against threats by malign non-state actors; how our projects and platforms can protect the rights of children; and all other ways that the activities and operations of our foundation, projects, and movement might affect the rights of employees, volunteers, audiences, donors, and the communities they belong to.

“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”

It is unfortunate that some people and entities would challenge the human rights of those who seek to share knowledge. As one of the teams at the Foundation committed to this work, the Human Rights Team supports volunteers being persecuted by governments or other organized actors for their good-faith contributions to the movement. Our objectives are twofold: first, to raise awareness among Wikimedia volunteers and the broader community about the potential human rights challenges that can arise from their invaluable work so that they can make informed choices about where and how to participate. Second, to present effective tools, strategies, and support to safeguard themselves against these risks, helping to create a safer and more secure environment for all contributors. 

Sharing with our contributors some of the fundamental threats against human rights can help create and foster a culture of respect and vigilance. The Human Rights Team believes that an informed volunteer is an empowered volunteer. We also aim to provide digital and physical safety measures for those at risk. 

Human Rights are essential to enable the 2030 Vision. 

While the Human Rights Team has a very specific focus, we work with other teams at the Foundation who are charged with creating the safety our movement needs to reach its 2030 vision: “By 2030, Wikimedia will become the essential infrastructure of the ecosystem of free knowledge, and anyone who shares our vision will be able to join us.” For example, we partner closely with the Global Advocacy team whose role includes, among other things, overseeing the framework to ensure all Wikimedia Foundation operations and movement activities respect and protect the rights of everyone who touches and is touched by our projects. Like us, they also raise awareness of potential risks as they advocate for laws that enhance the safety of people participating in the free knowledge ecosystem. 

At our presentation and digital safety clinic in Poland, drawing from best practices and advice of multiple teams and community members, the Human Rights Team outlined some recommendations designed to enhance personal security, digital security, protect privacy, and promote a culture of respect and safety online for our volunteer community. Focusing on some of the more common issues encountered online, we discussed cyberbullying, doxing, and harassment, which are only some of the ways the human rights of people online are harmed.

You can learn more about digital security and human rights by accessing our Learning Modules: 

• Assess your digital security risks
• Safety for Grant Recipients

You can also view some of our online safety resources on Meta-wiki.

Safety is crucial if we are to meet our goal of promoting the free exchange of information. 

Recognizing the importance of our work in free knowledge cannot be done without mentioning the importance of mental health for those doing the work. The Foundation has created and curates a list of resources for Wikimedians struggling with emotional challenges. In addition, for those Wikimedians working with our Human Rights Team because they are targeted by organized efforts to compromise their freedom and safety, we may be able to recommend access to counseling and support groups, ensuring our contributors can work safely and confidently without compromising their well-being. Please contact us at talktohumanrights@wikimedia.org if you would like more information about this service.

Our duty and our responsibility.

Our vision is powerful, and it comes with a cost. Ghanaian diplomat Kofi Annan said, “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” He also said that “What is so thrilling about our time is that the privilege of information is now an instant and globally accessible privilege. It is our duty and our responsibility to see that gift bestowed on all the world’s people, so that all may live lives of knowledge and understanding.” Upholding the right to safety while also enabling the free exchange of knowledge and ideas is critical to building a reliable knowledge ecosystem. 

Please contact us at talktohumanrights@wikimedia.org if:

• You or someone you know face an organized threat to your safety or freedom based on your contributions to Wikimedia
• You want more information and resources to proactively protect yourself or your community against threats associated with your contributions to Wikimedia

For emergencies that require immediate response, please email us at emergency@wikimedia.org