Edit filter helper is a
user group that allows non-administrators to view the details, code, and logs of private
edit filters, but not to edit them. The right may be granted and revoked by administrators. This page details the right, the requirements for it, and the processes involved in granting and removing it. There are currently
23 filter helpers on English Wikipedia.
Common use cases
There are three groups of editors for whom this is useful:
Those interested in helping with edit filters but who do not meet the requirements for the edit filter manager right.
Those working with edit filters on another WMF wiki who want to learn from the English Wikipedia's experience and approach (anyone wanting to learn from another wiki will need permissions on that wiki and so are out of scope for this right).
Abuse filter helpers and
abuse filter maintainers have global view-only access to all filters, and by extension the English Wikipedia, and hence do not need to request this right here.
Some other global groups, including ombuds, staff, stewards, system administrators, and WMF researchers.[1]
The right
The edit-filter-helper user right gives access to
abusefilter-view-private which allows viewing of edit filters marked as private, as well as the ability to search and view the edit filter hit logs from those filters.
Granting the right
The edit filter helper right may be granted in the following circumstances:
If a previous application for edit filter manager or edit filter helper was unsuccessful, the following people should be notified of the new discussion:
Participants in the most recent discussion
The closing administrator of the most recent discussion
If the edit filter manager or edit filter helper right was previously removed for any reason other than inactivity, the following people should be notified of the new discussion:
The administrator who removed the right
Participants in any discussion that resulted in the right being removed
The Arbitration Committee, if removal was at the committee's direction
The candidate must meet all of the following criteria:
Demonstrated need for access (e.g. SPI clerk, involvement with edit filters)
No recent blocks or relevant sanctions
At least a basic understanding of account security[note 1]
At least a basic understanding of
regular expressions if the intent is to assist with authoring filters[note 1]
Sufficient ability with the English language to understand notes and explanations for edit filters
In addition to the above requirements, the candidate must also meet at least one of the following criteria:
Currently-active
extended confirmed editor on the English Wikipedia (i.e. has made edits or logged actions within the last 12 months)
Current administrator on another WMF project
Current edit filter manager on another WMF project
Current WMF developer or staff member who needs access for WMF-related purposes
This is a highly specialized right that is routinely denied even to experienced editors. There are currently 23 edit filter helpers, compared with 6,822 rollbackers. Meeting all the above criteria does not guarantee a request will obtain consensus support to pass. Above all, noticeboard regulars look for indicators that an editor can be trusted. Trust is important because private edit filters reveal the detection strategies for tracking
long-term abusers, and also private edit filter logs often contain
revision deletable or
oversightable information. This is a subjective measurement and the editors participating in a given request will have their own criteria to judge whether an editor is sufficiently trustworthy for this user right.
The user right can be revoked for violating any of the above conduct standards and for other misconduct. Additionally, it can be revoked at any time by an administrator without any process or prior notice in any of the following circumstances:
The editor has shared details of private filters with unauthorised parties.
The editor has blatantly misused the tool.
The editor has been sanctioned by Arbcom or the community for actions which make the user no longer suitable for the role.
The editor has failed to report to an administrator after noticing unauthorized use of their account or otherwise neglected
account security practices.
The editor has been inactive on the English Wikipedia for 12 months.
If your edit filter helper right was revoked and you would like to appeal the decision, first discuss with the revoking administrator. If after such an exchange you still feel the matter is unresolved and requires outside input, you may post at
WP:AN to appeal the decision. Request for the right after a revocation for inactivity or self-requested removal may be made at
WP:PERM.
Process for removing right
For inactivity:
Any administrator may remove the right from any user who does not meet the activity requirement.
For other reasons:
If the situation is urgent:
Any administrator may remove the right without prior notification.
WP:EFN should be notified of the removal, giving reasons unless privacy or similar concerns prevent this (in which case, contact an administrator privately and note you have done this).
If the situation is not urgent:
Any user in good standing may make a request at
WP:EFN for the right to be removed, giving reasons unless privacy or similar concerns prevent this (in which case, contact an administrator privately and note in the request you have done this).
In all cases:
The user concerned must be notified on their talk page.
Any discussion about the removal of the right will be closed by an administrator, who will remove the right if required and there is consensus to do so. Uncontroversial requests, including self-requests, will be closed when actioned, other requests will remain open until at least 7 days after the user was notified.
Notes
^
abThere is no formal definition of what constitutes a "basic understanding", but by requesting this right you are asserting that you meet these criteria. Those commenting on the request should assume good faith regarding this assertion unless they have a reason to do otherwise.