[wikipedia bans .gov edits]

"Isn't it interesting what you can find in Hansard when you do a little searching. All manner of amusing things, such as the fact that the Department of Health has had its outbound IP address banned by Wikipedia because of constant editing. Back in January, Ben Bradshaw admitted that between August 2005 and August 2007, people at the DoH had made almost 1500 edits, page creations and/or entries on Wikipedia. This then resulted in Wikipedia banning the DoH's address from the site according to Bradshaw a few weeks later.*

No doubt there were many disgruntled civil servants editing Patricia Hewitt's page constantly and leaving scurrilous slurs against her. The DoH is not alone in being a department to have fun with Wikipedia though. According to Gerry Sutcliffe at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, people in the department have created or amended 103 entires on Wikipedia. No doubt all the edits were necessary because of the constantly changing budget for the 2012 Olympics!**

Most of the other departments are now facing similar questions too, so time will tell if they are found to be hiding something, or perhaps just fibbing. For example, the Chancellor of the Exechequer says that because anyone with an internet connection could do it, it would cost too much to answer.... doesn't look good when the DoH manages it though."

* 5 Feb 2008 : Column 1068W Hansard** 19 Feb 2008 : Column 620W Hansard

Dizzy Thinks via digg.

From the House of Commons Debates (Answers):

"19 Feb 2008 : Column 620W

Departmental Internet
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Wikipedia entries have been (a) created and (b) amended (i) by (A) special advisers, (B) Ministers and (C) communications officials and (ii) from IP addresses of (1) special advisers, (2) Ministers and (3) communications officials in his Department since August 2005. [185530]

Mr. Sutcliffe: 103 Wikipedia entries have been created or amended by people in my Department. We do not hold the information as to how many of these changes were made by (A) special advisers, (B) Ministers and (C) communications officials.

All staff in the Department are required to sign an acceptable use policy before they are given access to the internet. Occasional and reasonable personal use is permitted provided it does not interfere with the performance of duties. Any activity that would bring the Department into disrepute is prohibited."