Wikipedia

Free online encyclopedia, created and edited by volunteers around the world

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Last Updated: April 6, 2019

Wikipedia states that if you use their websites you agree to their privacy policy. You can edit pages and search Wikipedia without an account. You can also register an account without an email address or real name.

Personal data collected

Wikipedia collects information from you when you make a donation, register an account or update your user page, use the Wikimedia websites, send them emails, participate in a survey or give feedback. Any content you add or any changes you make on a Wikimedia website will be publicly and permanently available. If you decide not to make an account, your IP address gets logged as your “account” publicly. Your account cannot be permanently removed, however you can hide the information on your user page. Wikimedia uses certain technologies to collect personal information from you so they can see how you use their websites. Some information they may collect includes how often you visit the websites, what you like, what you find helpful, the website you came from, and whether or not you would use a helpful feature if they explained it differently. When you use a browser to connect to Wikipedia, they receive information automatically, for example the type of device you are using, type and version of browser, browser’s default language, type and version of your device’s operating system, internet service provider or mobile carrier, the website that referred you, which pages you requested and visited, and the date and time you made the request.

Personal data usage

Wikipedia uses data to:

  • Administer the websites
  • Provide greater security
  • Fight vandalism
  • Optimize mobile applications
  • Customize content
  • Set default language
  • Test features
  • Improve performance
  • Understand how you interact with their websites
  • Track and study the use of various features
  • Record the demographics
  • Analyze trends

When you sign up to use Wikipedia your information is used to add new features to their website, allow you to send messages, send emails of information that may interest you, provide customized services, send surveys, request feedback, and to make your experience on their websites safer and better.

Cookies and similar tech

Wikipedia uses tracking pixels, JavaScript, cookies and local storage to collect your information. Locally stored data includes text, pixels, whole articles, personal information, and how you use their websites. The only time they use third-party cookies is when they have your permission.  

Wikipedia account

You do not need to sign up for an account in order to use Wikipedia. However if you choose to sign up you can use a standard account which will ask for a username and password. Do not use your real name as your username, as your name will appear on the articles you edit. Your IP address is shared with Wikipedia regardless if you make an account or not. No other information is required to create an account. Your account cannot be completely deleted due to your articles being credited towards you. In some instances, Wikipedia will help delete additional information related to your account to your projects. Wikipedia may ask for demographically information but it is optional to share it.

Data shared with Wikipedia

NAME
CATEGORY
MANDATORY
User ID
App Information
YES
Username
App Information
YES
Types of content you view
App Information
YES
Types of content you engage with
App Information
YES
People you are connected to
App Information
—
IP address
Device
YES
Language and time zone
Device
YES
Browser type
Device
YES
Name of your mobile operator or ISP
Device
YES
Device locations
Device
OPTIONAL
Device identifiers
Device
YES
Device settings
Device
YES
Hardware version
Device
YES
Signal strength
Device
—
Operating system
Device
YES
Battery strength
Device
—
Billing details
Payment
OPTIONAL
Shipping and contact details
Payment
OPTIONAL
Credit or debit card number
Payment
OPTIONAL
Gender
Personal Information
OPTIONAL
Name
Personal Information
OPTIONAL
Information provided by third-party entity
Third-party
YES
Message sent to you
Third-party
YES
Login time
Time
—
Sign-up time
Time
—
Duration of your activities
Time
YES
Frequency of your activities
Time
YES

How to protect your privacy

When using Wikipedia most of your information is protected due to the limited collecting they do. However if you would like to you can protect your privacy by:

  • Not purchase anything through Wikimedia.
  • Not access Wikipedia from your phone, instead use a computer browser so it won’t collect your phone’s information.
  • Clear the cookies, browsing history and more from your browser’s history settings.
  • Use safe browsing or incognito in order to prevent Wikipedia from saving your browser information and keeping you logged in.
  • Modify your information within your Wikipedia account.
  • Do not sign up for a Wikipedia account.
  • Hide your Wikipedia account.

How to contact Wikipedia about your privacy

By email or by snail mail and fax:

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
1 Montgomery Street
Suite 1600
San Francisco, CA 94104
USA
Phone: +1-415-839-6885
Fax: +1-415-882-0495