China blocks Wikimedia Foundation’s accreditation to World Intellectual Property Organization

China yesterday blocked the Wikimedia Foundation’s application for observer status at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the United Nations (UN) organization that develops international treaties on copyright, IP, trademarks, patents and related issues. As a result of the block, the Foundation’s application for observer status has been suspended and will be reconsidered at a….

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Aerial shot of Bangalore city of Nagawara area.

Wikimedia Foundation kicks-off fundraising campaign in India

Recently, the Wikimedia Foundation began a fundraising campaign on Wikipedia in India, inviting anyone who relies on Wikipedia to support its future. Banners are appearing on the English Wikipedia in India, asking readers to consider contributing with a donation. The banners have generated a lot of conversation online. We wanted to address some of the….

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Hong Kong skyline - December 2007

New Chinese national security law in Hong Kong could limit the privacy of Wikipedia users

The Wikimedia Foundation is extremely concerned about the national security law recently passed in China and implemented in Hong Kong that prohibits a broad range of speech and grants wide-ranging surveillance powers to authorities. This law may have serious implications for protection of the privacy of users on Wikipedia and other projects operated by the….

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George Floyd protests in Washington DC. Lafayette Square

We stand for racial justice.

George Floyd’s death last week at the hands of law enforcement in Minneapolis lays bare the tremendous inequalities and racism that black people face in the United States on a daily basis. In the past few weeks, his name, along with Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and David McAtee have joined a staggering register of victims….

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ELNÒS, Roncadelle, Italy

Wikimedia Foundation Board announces Community Culture Statement, enacts new standards to address harassment and promote inclusivity across projects

Today, the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees voted to ratify new trust and safety standards for Wikipedia and all other Wikimedia projects. The standards, as outlined in a new Community Culture Statement, provide direction and priority to address harassment and incivility within the Wikimedia movement and create welcoming, inclusive, harassment-free spaces in which people can….

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Another dimension

Amid COVID-19, Wikimedia Foundation offers full pay for reduced hours, mobilizes all staff to work remote, and waives sick time

Update: On March 14, 2020, the Wikimedia Foundation announced new measures to support employees and protect general public health amid COVID-19. As part of these operational actions, we have: Closed both Foundation offices in San Francisco and Washington, DC, until at least March 31, 2020. All staff are now working remotely.  Shifted to a reduced….

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İki buçuk yıldan uzun zamanın ardından Türkiye’den Wikipedia’ya erişim açıldı

Bugün, Wikipedia’nın 19. doğum gününde, Wikimedia Vakfı Türkiye’den Wikipedia’ya erişimin yeniden açılmakta olduğuna ilişkin haberler aldı.* Bu son gelişme, Anayasa Mahkemesi’nin Türkiye yetkililerinin iki buçuk yıldan uzun süren engelini 26 Aralık 2019 kararı ile anayasaya aykırı bulmasının ardından gerçekleşti. Bugün erken saatlerde Anayasa Mahkemesi kararın tam metnini kamuya açık olarak paylaştı, hemen ardından Wikipedia’ya erişimin….

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Welcome back, Turkey!

Access to Wikipedia restored in Turkey after more than two and a half years

Today, on Wikipedia’s 19th birthday, the Wikimedia Foundation has received reports that access to Wikipedia in Turkey is actively being restored.* This latest development follows a 26 December 2019 ruling by the Constitutional Court of Turkey that the more than two and a half year block imposed by the Turkish government was unconstitutional. Earlier today,….

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Secretariat Building, New Delhi

India’s proposed intermediary liability rules could limit everyone’s access to information online

Honorable Minister Prasad: I am writing today on behalf of the Wikimedia Foundation to express our concerns regarding the Ministry’s proposed changes to the intermediary liability rules and its negative impact on access to knowledge and participation for Indians online. The Wikimedia Foundation is the nonprofit that hosts and operates Wikipedia, along with a number….

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Türkiye Anayasa Mahkemesi, Vikipedi’nin iki buçuk yıllık engelinin anayasaya aykırı olduğuna karar verdi

Anayasa Mahkemesi bugün, Türkiye’de iki buçuk yıldan fazladır süren Vikipedi’ye erişim engelinin anayasaya aykırı olduğuna hükmetti. Türkiye’nin en yüksek mahkemesinin aldığı bu yeni karar ışığında Türkiye’de erişimin yakında yeniden sağlanacağını ve engelin kalktığına dair güncel bilgi aldığımızda bu bildiriyi yeniden güncellemeyi umuyoruz. Bilgiye evrensel erişime verilen bu önemli onayı memnuniyetle karşılama hususunda Türk halkına, ve….

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