What is the name of the Wikipedia policy on sockpuppetry?

The Wikipedia policy on sockpuppetry is called “Sockpuppetry.” It addresses the use of multiple Wikipedia accounts by one person, especially when those accounts are used to mislead other editors or manipulate discussions and decisions.

The term comes from the image of someone operating a second identity like a hand inside a sock puppet. Having more than one account is not automatically forbidden: editors may use legitimate alternate accounts for privacy, separating personal and professional editing, or avoiding confusion between users. However, alternate accounts must not be used deceptively or to gain an unfair advantage.

Sockpuppet accounts can be used to create the appearance of wider support, influence deletion discussions, evade sanctions, vote more than once, or distort consensus. Wikipedia treats these behaviors as serious violations because its decision-making process depends on genuine community participation.

A common mix-up is “Conflict of interest,” which concerns editing topics connected to one’s personal or professional interests. “Edit warring” concerns repeated reversions, while sockpuppetry concerns deceptive multiple-account behavior.