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This is a place where users can communicate with administrators, or administrators with one another. You can report vandalism, problematic users, or anything else that needs an administrator's intervention. Do not report child pornography or other potentially illegal content here; e-mail legal-reportswikimedia.org instead. If reporting threatened harm to self or others also email emergencywikimedia.org.
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Report users for clear cases of vandalism. Block requests for any other reason should be reported to the blocks and protections noticeboard.	Report disputes with users that require administrator assistance. Further steps are listed at resolve disputes.	Reports that do not suit the vandalism noticeboard may be reported here. Requests for page protection/unprotection could also be requested here.	Other reports that require administrator assistance which do not fit in any of the previous three noticeboards may be reported here. Requests for history merging or splitting should be filed at COM:HMS.
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Administrators: Please make a note if a report is dealt with, to avoid unnecessary responses by other admins.

purge Admin backlog

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Copyright:

• Copyright violations: ~5
• Unfree Flickr files: ~0
• Recent unfree Flickr images: ~18
• No license since 17 November 2025: ~6
• No permission since 17 November 2025: ~29
• No source since 17 November 2025: ~7
• Media uploaded without a license as of 2025-11: ~139

Other:

• Duplicates: ~26
• Advertisements/spam: ~2
• Personal photos/selfies: ~70
• Other speedy deletions: ~16
• Categories for discussion: 84 months
• Media requiring a split up: ~0
• Requests for unblock: ~3
• Undeletion requests: ~16

Protected edit requests:

• Full protection: ~38
• Interface admin: ~12
• Technical: ~0
• Template protection: ~6
• Protection level: ~0

See also: DR, HMS, …

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Note

• Remember to sign and date all comments using four tildes (~~~~), which translates into a signature and a time stamp.
• Notify the user(s) concerned via their user talk page(s). {{subst:Discussion-notice|noticeboard=COM:AN|thread=|reason=}} ~~~~ is available for this.
• Administrators: Please make a note if a report is dealt with, to avoid unnecessary responses by other admins.

Update gadget

Wondering if an interface admin can update the OWID gadget

• https://mdwiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki:Gadget-owidslider.js
• https://mdwiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki:Gadget-owidslider.css

Thanks Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 18:22, 14 November 2025 (UTC)

Trying almost at random (picked an arbitrary part of the alphabet) to get someone's attention to this: @Matrix, Magog the Ogre, Mdaniels5757, MGA73, and Mike Peel: .

Is there a better place Doc James should have asked this? I'm not aware of one. - Jmabel ! talk 06:54, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

Ok, will do —Matrix(!) _{ping one}^{when replying} {user - talk? - _uselesscontributions} 17:38, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

@Doc James:  Done —Matrix(!) _{ping one}^{when replying} {user - talk? - _uselesscontributions} 17:41, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

Wonderful thanks Matrix. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 00:17, 19 November 2025 (UTC)

Am needing another update of MediaWiki:Gadget-owidslider.js from MDWiki:MediaWiki:Gadget-owidslider.js, User:Matrix thanks for your prior help on this. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 17:21, 22 November 2025 (UTC)

 Done —Matrix(!) _{ping one}^{when replying} {user - talk? - _uselesscontributions} 17:24, 22 November 2025 (UTC)

Student editing project about fish on enWP leading to mass copyvio uploads on Commons

See en:WP:EDUN#Apparent student project on fish articles, uploading tons of copyvios to Commons. It appears that there's some unofficial student editing project going on that has students uploading tons of images to Commons under false or no licenses. I've tagged the ones I've come across that have false licenses, and the ones without license tags have been bot-tagged, but I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg since I'm only looking at Wikipedia articles that have citation errors.

• Cicada'sbug (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• RoundSe404 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Wildyackson (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Fortheloveoffish (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Lfriker (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• NKM697 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Ilovemycat333 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Offishal fish (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Absentbowl (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• R.Stick (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Twothreepeanutbutter (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Npomp (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Guatemaltecos-Visibles (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Benthicfeeder (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• StarfishPaperWriter (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• DontDrinkTheTapWater (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• GWsharklover (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)

Jay8g (talk) 08:36, 15 November 2025 (UTC)

Hi, Yes, I have noticed these users looking at Category:Media uploaded without a license as of 2025-11, and there are indeed more. Yann (talk) 16:56, 15 November 2025 (UTC)

• Potatosac789 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Setgiant (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Sebssubmarine25 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• OKTJGojiGuy (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• DahriusB (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Medharaj (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Oliveinmoon (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• M!nn0W17 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Martialngaha (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Gho$t$hark (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Sgfish98 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• Ymoja (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• AMANDi08 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)

One more:

• M.banana.dm (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)

Honestly, I'm less concerned about the ones that are uploading images without licenses (since that's easy to notice) than the ones who are using obviously false licenses. Jay8g (talk) 08:15, 16 November 2025 (UTC)

The issue is not the number of files, but the number of people. Each of them has only uploaded a few images, but the high number of people doing the same mistakes at the same time is a problem. Yann (talk) 08:24, 16 November 2025 (UTC)

Two more:

• BrieSteele1 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)
• ElCappu (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)

Jay8g (talk) 05:37, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

Have we been getting anywhere with determining who it was who aimed so many people at doing this wrong? - Jmabel ! talk 06:57, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

Honestly I don't even know where to start. None of the accounts have replied to talk page messages here or on enWP, and so far no one has answered my post on en:WP:EDUN. There was another class doing work on fish-related articles around the same time last year (which didn't seem to have the image copyright issue, but I don't remember if I checked on that then) which was apparently from UC Davis, so maybe it's the same class again. Jay8g (talk) 08:44, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

Looks like y'all missed tagging File:Distribution map of Laphotidae family in Mediterranean Sea.jpg --Trade (talk) 01:12, 19 November 2025 (UTC)

Another one: Leokoeh356 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log) Jay8g (talk) 09:05, 19 November 2025 (UTC)

First user (User:Cicada'sbug)'s upload (File:Diagram of Zameus squamulosus (a) and Scymnodom ichiharai (b) teeth.png) appears to be somewhat fine? They tagged a ProQuest source but I was able to find the original document. The document did state CC-BY 4.0 and the data within is released as CC0. Perhaps the student simply made a mistake by reading the very last part of the rights and skipped the first part? If I upload this file and tag it with correct license, it would have stayed on Commons. OhanaUnited^{Talk page} 14:21, 19 November 2025 (UTC)

@OhanaUnited: Why did you not correct the source and license? --Lymantria (talk) 14:09, 22 November 2025 (UTC)

Because this is a volunteer project and I am not required to give any more time and effort than I wish to? OhanaUnited^{Talk page} 19:07, 24 November 2025 (UTC)

Given that you have already done the research, unlike anyone else you could do this and take responsibility for it without re-researching. No, you are not absolutely required to do this, but it is reasonable for others to expect a certain level of collegiality. I gather you are an admin on sister projects, so certainly you understand that. - Jmabel ! talk 19:16, 24 November 2025 (UTC)

Science Photo Competition 2025 in Ukraine: Request for MassMessage

Hi! I have a quick request from organizers of the Ukrainian edition of Science Photo Competition 2025 – we'd like to invite people who participated in this context in the past to join this year's edition

• List of receivers

• Text of the message (first line is the subject, everything else is the body of the message; I've already accounted for having a correct signature & timestamp)

Thanks! AntonProtsiuk (WMUA) (talk) 09:39, 20 November 2025 (UTC)

Doing. Ymblanter (talk) 17:59, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

 Done Ymblanter (talk) 18:06, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Similar types of copyvios uploaded by multiple accounts

Fairly new to this so apologize if this isn't the correct venue here.

• Nyvelah (talk · contributions · Move log · block log · uploads · Abuse filter log) block user
• Jonyjaq (talk · contributions · Move log · block log · uploads · Abuse filter log) block user
• Retutugyh (talk · contributions · Move log · block log · uploads · Abuse filter log) block user
• Seliti (talk · contributions · Move log · block log · uploads · Abuse filter log) block user
• Cuqobo (talk · contributions · Move log · block log · uploads · Abuse filter log) block user

Seemingly new accounts have uploaded copyvios from Flickr with the correct author name. However, the sources all link to random .ru websites. Seems bizarre and there may be some abuse of multiple accounts going on. HurricaneZeta (talk) 03:33, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

I opened a checkuser case over at Commons:Requests for checkuser/Case/Nyvelah to check if these accounts are related or not. Thanks. Tvpuppy (talk) 03:52, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

The SPI is Inconclusive (from a technical point of view), although the timing of their edits makes me frown. --Lymantria (talk) 14:02, 22 November 2025 (UTC)

Possible socks

• Angpradesh (talk · contributions · Statistics · Recent activity · block log · User rights log · uploads · Global account information) (assign permissions) (registered on 8 April 2010)
• Samyo (talk · contributions · Statistics · Recent activity · block log · User rights log · uploads · Global account information) (assign permissions) (registered on 5 March 2015)

I nominated some uploads by Angpradesh for SD (see notices on User talk:Angpradesh, if they remove, plz see revision history). One of which is File:Angika Language Region of India.jpg. AP removes it at Revision as of 19:42, 20 November 2025. I revert him/her and tell him/her at their TP that they are not allowed to do so. Suddenly Samyo pops out and reverts the nomination, marking their first contribution in 10+ years (i.e. since registration). I don't think there is much left to say here. Shaan Sengupta^Talk 04:39, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Just in case more similarities are needed, Global account information can be of great help. Both the accounts contribute on anpwiki, enwiki, hiwiki, incubator.wikimedia, meta.wikimedia and some more. Shaan Sengupta^Talk 04:57, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

• I had informed few of the community members, who are active in promoting offline activities of Wikimedia and working for Indic languages, of yours proposed speedy deletion of this file and also that I can not revert it back because I am the creator. It is this user @Samyo came to revert and inform that this is not a copyright violation and it is not a matter of Speedy deletion. What is wrong in it? Angpradesh (talk) 06:54, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

  @Angpradesh noone other than an admin can remove the SD (or any deletion) tag, unless it is undisputed or comes from a vandal. At the same time, anyone can contest the nomination, not by removing the tag but by converting it to a DR, so that the community can discuss. Above all of this, what you said above means that you have, in some or the other form, indulged in off-wiki canvassing and metapuppetry. If this really was your own work, you would have rather sent proof to WMF (VRT) as I suggested but you chose to go the other way. I'll stop here (unless needed) and let admins decide. Shaan Sengupta^Talk 07:44, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

  @Shaan Sengupta I have sent the proof to WMF(VRT) as well. And because of the part of an active community members, the matter was shared and discussed with each others to find the right method to do so. Discussing the matter with the community to learn correct methods cannot be termed as indulging in off-wiki convassing or metapupperty as you mentioned. There are numbers of wikimedian communities across the world and in India as well to discuss such matter offline and help each others for growing of the wikimedia movement. We should show kind gesture so that more newbie could come forward and learn the correct method. Labelling someone with wrong thing is not fruitful for the Wikimedia Movement. Angpradesh (talk) 08:05, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

  @Angpradesh, there is a reason COM:HELP exists. And discussing something offline which the people involved don't have access to and then someone comes in and does what happened, it is bound to be called as such. In case you advocate for transparency and haven't done it the wrong way, you may use {{offsite discussion link|1=}} to provide us the discussion link. Anyways that ai'nt necessary. Also, you can go through my contribution history, it would tell you about how much I help others. Its just that when I spot these types of files, I try to do the obvious. Now rest and let things happen. Shaan Sengupta^Talk 08:23, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Timed Text Site - pls delete

Could anyone pls delete this Timed Text site? https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/TimedText:Jsbach_triosonate_e-moll_bwv_528_christoph_prei%C3%9F_st._andreas_wei%C3%9Fenburg_live.mp3.de.srt I can't do that somehow ("forbidden'" or the like). I did not found any solution so far. Thanks so much! --Subbass1 (talk) 11:20, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

 Done --Rosenzweig τ 12:37, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Thanks! --Subbass1 (talk) 12:42, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Are there problems with the protection for the Picture of the day?

Whenever any image is used as today’s Picture of the day and appears on the Main page of Wikimedia Commons, ordinary users cannot edit it and will find the hint “This page is currently protected, and can be edited only by administrators” at the top of the description page of the image. So far so good.

Today (2025-11-21) this photo is the Picture of the day, so I would assume that it is protected against any edits. But please take a look at the history of the description page: the description has been edited today (2025-11-21) by User:Drexcreatur203 (not an admin, but a vandal) at 02:42, 02:43, 02:44 and 02:48 UTC, by a temporary account (i.e., by an IP) at 05:21 UTC, and by User:Nylki (again not an admin) at 09:52 UTC.

I report this here because I fear that this could mean that there are technical problems with the protection for the Picture of the day. If not, i.e. if I just misunderstand something, please excuse this post! Then I just ask for a short explanation what “This page is currently protected, and can be edited only by administrators” means if even temporary accounts can edit the page. Thank you, – Aristeas (talk) 12:33, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

@Aristeas Per point 3 of Commons:Village pump/Technical/Archive/2025/03#Tech News: 2025-10, since March 2025, the cascading protection in this case only includes upload protection, and doesn't include edit protection. Thanks. Tvpuppy (talk) 12:59, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Ah, thank you, Tvpuppy! This means that at least the notice template must be updated. Currently the notice which is shown on the current POTD and similar pages says (I have underlined the important parts):

This page is currently protected, and can be edited only by administrators.

This page is currently protected from editing because it is transcluded in the following pages, which are protected with the "cascading" option enabled: ...

and the “edited” and “from editing” is wrong, right? Best, – Aristeas (talk) 15:26, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Hi, Thanks for reporting this. As you have shown above, the previous situation (full protection) should be restored. Yann (talk) 16:51, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Thank you, Yann – I agree 100% with you that it would be by far the best to restore the previous situation, i.e. to protect especially POTDs completely, because they attract vandalism. Only if that is not possible for technical reasons, at least the wording of the cited notice should be updated, to remove the contradiction. – Aristeas (talk) 18:49, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Guy give me a global locked

Guy give me a global blocked on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Common. Miss Dumb (talk) 20:02, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

@Miss Dumb: If you want to leave us definitely you can request for vanishing on m:Special:GlobalVanishRequest. --Achim55 (talk) 20:09, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

Of course, Agent Achim55 Miss Dumb (talk) 20:22, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

They only joined 5h ago, as I'm writing this, so their account was only 3h old when they opened this thread. Nakonana (talk) 21:54, 21 November 2025 (UTC)

 Not done. You can simply never use your account anymore. I closed your DR. Taivo (talk) 08:20, 22 November 2025 (UTC)

Commons:Deletion requests/File:Bob Ross Air Force photo.jpg

I believe I've established a case for speedy deletion here. RadioKAOS / Talk to me, Billy / Transmissions 02:39, 22 November 2025 (UTC)

•  Done Deleted as OOS (though as apparently free licensed, so no apparent requirement for speedy.) -- Infrogmation of New Orleans (talk) 00:37, 25 November 2025 (UTC)

Request to upload new version of File:Charles_Dorange_2017.png

Hello, I would like to upload a new version of this file: File:Charles_Dorange_2017.png However, the page displays the message "You cannot overwrite this file" and the “Upload a new version” link does not appear. Could an administrator please either: allow overwriting, or upload the new version for me (I can provide the file)? Thank you! JackLondon22 (talk) 09:05, 24 November 2025 (UTC)

@JackLondon22 Please upload it as a new file. I have my doubts over the copyright status of this file. Is the new image you want to upload one you took yourself or has someone else published it with a free license? Gbawden (talk) 09:21, 24 November 2025 (UTC)

DR have been open for 16 years

Commons:Deletion requests/File:Henry Louis Gates, Jr. mugshot.jpg

Could we give the DR the peace it deserves? Trade (talk) 23:24, 24 November 2025 (UTC)

gone. thanks Bedivere (talk) 23:39, 24 November 2025 (UTC)

Thanks to you both! I presume that's a record for longest open deletion request... at least I *hope* it is. -- Infrogmation of New Orleans (talk) 00:38, 25 November 2025 (UTC)

This DR is old enough to apply for a driver's license in some places. OhanaUnited^{Talk page} 04:46, 25 November 2025 (UTC)

Thanks to @Trade, the nominator will finally have the peace of mind they deserve. Shaan Sengupta^Talk 08:14, 25 November 2025 (UTC)