Can a Person Control Their Wikipedia Page?

Many wonder about the possibility of controlling their Wikipedia page or article. However, the truth is far from simple. This article aims to understand the challenges and limitations associated with such a concept.

Wikipedia’s Role and Purpose

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that thrives on the collective wisdom and knowledge of its contributors. It is not designed to be an avenue for personal expression or self-promotion. Therefore, the idea of fully controlling one's Wikipedia page is fundamentally at odds with its guidelines and ethics.

My Experience with My Wikipedia Page

My own experience with my Wikipedia page, User:Jim.henderson, is a case in point. While I have significant control over the content, it is not a biography article. This means that while my colleagues have contributed to it, it still primarily serves as a platform for my work and contributions.

Of course, I don’t fit the criteria for a biography article, which would be beyond my control. Several of my fellow Wikipedians have had the misfortune of falling into this category due to their prominent contributions or other indiscretions. My goal is to avoid such a fate, as Ambrose Bierce rightly pointed out: biography 'is one of the terrors of death.'

Editing and Updating Your Page

While you can make changes to your Wikipedia page, it does not come without its challenges. For instance, if you introduce new information, such as a new skill or language, you must substantiate it with reliable sources. You cannot simply claim something is true based on your personal experience. This requirement applies to all edits, regardless of the content you are adding or deleting.

If you decide to remove your birth date, you will face opposition as it would likely be reverted. You can reach out to the Wikimedia Foundation to request that your date of birth be removed, but only if it was not already published elsewhere.

Furthermore, any changes you make must adhere to the principle of no conflict of interest. This means that if you are making significant updates or additions, you must disclose any potential biases or conflicts. Even hiring someone to make edits for you may still require transparency regarding the source of the edits.

Dealing with Legal Issues

If you find yourself in a situation where having something on your Wikipedia page is a concern, you may need to initiate a request for oversight. This process allows the community to review and make a decision regarding the presence of certain information on your page.

To summarize, while you can control and edit your Wikipedia page, it is not without its constraints. The key is to ensure that all changes are transparent, reliable, and aligned with Wikipedia’s guidelines. It is important to understand that the platform is designed to be a repository of objective and verifiable information, making complete control an unrealistic expectation.

Conclusion

In the end, while you can contribute to and edit your Wikipedia page, the extent of your control is limited by ethical and practical considerations. Wikipedia firmly upholds the principles of open knowledge and community-driven content, and any attempt to circumvent these principles is met with scrutiny and often reversion.