Requests for comment/Globally ban all welcoming bots except on Commons

The following request for comments is closed. I'm closing this after a half month, because it is clear the proposal has no chance to pass under any circumstances. --Martin Urbanec (talk) 14:36, 16 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

While most not aware of this issue, but why do some wikis have automatic welcoming bots as soon as a user creates the account locally? I as one of the many who do SWViewer patrolling, often just encounter edits from brand new wikis all the time, which creates a local account for us (should that not be obvious). Unfortunately, at times when we have zero edits on certain wikis, an automatic welcoming bot just leaves us a message and at times, I think I had about eight welcome messages all placed by bots when I had zero edits.

But why do these bots even need to exist. Most of these wikis are smaller than the English Wikivoyage (my home wiki) and I find just adding {{subst:welcome}} not too hard (and yes, we still manage to welcome all users with questions answered as well). While I understand the point on Commons, where it is far too difficult to welcome all users, I don't understand why it needs to exist on such small wikis. So my proposal is to globally ban this bot except on commons since welcoming users with zero contributions, since it is plain annoying, and irritating as well, with also it being quite useless as well. SHB2000 (talk | contibs) 05:48, 1 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Strong oppose I strongly disagree with the proposal. Each wiki is nearly completely autonomous, and its autonomy may only be breached when it is really really really really needed, mostly for legal or site security purposes (notable examples are the CU and OS policies). Welcoming bots aren't such a case – the only presented reason for the proposed ban is mere inconvenience of xwiki users. --Martin Urbanec (talk) 19:04, 1 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
@Martin Urbanec In this case, I would rather support global banning Babel AutoCreate because that bot is clearly-than-god world's famous spambot. Liuxinyu970226 (talk) 03:52, 4 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Oh my!!! Who approved that bot? SHB2000 (talk | contibs) 03:52, 5 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
That bot is a system account, FWIW. Martin Urbanec (talk) 16:01, 5 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose Each wiki is autonomous. The problem mentioned is not a very big issue --MdsShakil (talk) 19:16, 1 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose – per above. I also hold the view that each wiki is autonomous and it is upon them, if they want to eradicate welcoming bots, they can do themselves. Hulged (talk) 07:23, 2 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose I think this should be left up to the wikis to decide, also it's not a major issue. Rubbish computer Ping me or leave a message on my talk page 10:36, 16 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]