Wikipedia Edit controls
By Bala Shah

Wikipedia is one of the top 10 websites accessed by Indians. And it is equally popular around the world. Apart from being a rich source of research and educational material,   it can be credited as one of the greatest achievements of idealistic, global volunteer effort. Wikipedia is among the top 5 sites in the world and is read by 325 million visitors every month.

Wikipedia, like other international websites Facebook and Google’s Blogger, has its small share of controversies about adult material.  What is considered art in France may be banned in Singapore.  Wikipedia, like Facebook, attempts to strike a balance between different cultures and societies.

On May 8, 2010, I had reported on how Wikipedia founder Jimmy (Jimbo) Wales had launched a concerted drive to remove all porn from Wikipedia. In his earnestness to remove all porn, Jimmy personally started deleted photos without consulting fellow Editors.  There was a hue and cry about Jimmy’s unilateral actions in removing some adult photos and images from Wikipedia. Wikipedia Editors pride themselves on having proper discussion before finalizing the best collective action.  On May 12, The Telegraph reported that Wales had now voluntarily given up some of his site privileges, like being able to delete and edit ‘protected’ content. Some of the porn photos and images that Jimmy deleted have been restored. 

By May 16, it became clearer which privileges Jimmy Wales had lost.  Venturebeat reported on May 16: "Jimbo asked for the rights of the founder flag to be limited. The flag no longer confers the ability to delete content, hide content, perform checkusers, or change group membership for users. It also no longer confers the ability to edit protected pages."

But Jimmy Jimbo Wales still has more powers than all other Editors. According to Wikipedia “If an administrator abuses administrative powers, these powers can be removed. Administrators may be removed either by Jimmy Wales or by a ruling of the Arbitration Committee. At their discretion, lesser penalties may also be assessed against problematic administrators, including the restriction of their use of certain powers or placement on administrative probation. The technical ability to remove administrator status rests with stewards and Jimmy Wales.”