Privacy and Transparency: Staying safe in an open movement

Openness and transparency are fundamental to the Wikimedia Movement. They are what allow a diverse, global community to collaborate on a shared mission to create the sum of all human knowledge. 

Yet, as unique and wonderful as that is, it also makes Wikimedians susceptible and vulnerable to digital abuse exactly because transparency is so prioritized by our software, culture, and internal practices. This is not to say that Wikimedia and privacy are oxymorons. Quite the contrary! Privacy is valued and cherished, as our privacy policy and the culture of accepting pseudonymous accounts indicate.

For individual community members, this does raise an ever-relevant question:

How can you balance the nuances between the movement’s emphasis on transparency and openness and the needs for privacy and safety?

Questions related to this concept include:

• How do you decide whether to use your real name as your username on Wikimedia projects? 
• How do you weigh the decision to consent to being photographed or recorded when attending a community event? 
• How do you manage your online Wikimedia presence with other aspects of your online self?

These questions are not easy to answer. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and context is everything.

Understand your context

As online spaces become increasingly contested, engaging with the Wikimedia movement has become more challenging around the world. Factors such as who you are, where you are participating from, the people you are working with, and the topics you address all influence your risk profile when engaging with Wikimedia and contributing to Wikimedia projects. 

Whatever your role is within the movement it is important to reflect on your position. This means within 

• Wikimedia
• the community you work with
• the socio-political and legal context you operate in
• the causes you advocate for and support
• and your online profile. 

Once you have clarity on these key points, you will be better equipped to identify risks and take proactive measures to mitigate them—or be better prepared should those risks materialize.

Below are some questions that may help you contextualize Wikimedia to your environment:

• How is Wikimedia presented in the press?
• Are there widespread conspiracy theories about Wikipedia or other online platforms?
• Who are the most vocal opponents? What are they saying? 
• What does the Wikimedia transparency report reveal?
• How does the government view the platform and the movement?
• What topics are taboo or particularly sensitive?
• Who might be opposed to the work you are doing?
• What negative reactions might they take? Online harassment? Offline? Threats? Violence? Legal action?

With the answers to the above questions in mind, consider the risks you might anticipate. For example, if you are committed to editing highly controversial topics, this could lead to increased levels of harassment – both on and off Wikimedia platforms. How does your privacy play into this risk? Well, the more information someone has about you, the more harm they can potentially cause. As such, privacy plays an important role. With these considerations in mind, let’s now explore balancing privacy while participating in an open and collaborative movement.

Find your balance

One way to think about finding the balance between privacy and openness as a Wikimedian is to ask yourself: why are you sharing what you are sharing? Is it because you want to establish a personal connection with your contributions to the movement? Are aspects of what you are sharing about yourself part of a broader statement in the creation of knowledge? Is it related to your career and your involvement in larger projects surrounding free knowledge and knowledge equity? 

There may be a number of reasons when deciding what to share about yourself, and understanding the “why” can help clarify the intention. Being intentional means you are aware, and that awareness allows you to be prepared and not caught by surprise. Finding your balance involves making informed choices that align with your privacy needs and the values and position you hold as a member of the Wikimedia movement.

In conclusion 

The goal here is not to create 100% safety—that is, unfortunately, an unachievable ideal. Rather, the aim is to make your online experience safer,more secure and more informed. Being aware of your environment, both online and offline, is crucial in this process.

In the end, balancing openness and privacy is a lot like editing a Wikipedia article. It’s a constant work in progress, requiring ongoing attention, careful consideration and adaptation. But by being intentional with what we share, we can find that balance. We can keep ourselves safe while continuing to contribute to the creation of the sum of all human knowledge—safely.

Getting help

If you have any questions or concerns about this topic in particular, other aspects of digital safety more broadly or learning more about safe engagement with Wikimedia, we, the Human Rights Team (HRT), are happy to provide guidance or have a call.

For select Wikimedia Affiliates, the HRT is available to offer a Digital Wellness Check based on need and Team capacity. The  Digital Wellness Check is a structured framework to assess an affiliate’s digital health and provide a visual roadmap for improvement. The process includes a ~60-minute conversation with a HRT member, followed by a report with actionable recommendations for enhancing digital safety.

Please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]  

For additional posts in this Safety and Advocacy series, see:

• Doxing: Why should you care?
• Doxing: Have you tried doxing yourself?
• How can a username keep you safe?
• Protecting the people: Some recommendations for safety while contributing to Wikimedia projects
• Learn.Wiki: Safety for Grant Recipients
• Learn.Wiki: Assess your digital security risks