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I noticed myself and in the comments of higher-rep users that we seem to have a certain user (who keeps registering new usernames, i.e. "sockpuppets") and keeps asking questions about genes and beauty/attractiveness, usually with pictures of ugly and attractive people attached, as if illustration is really needed.

Is there some guideline for dealing with such? I guess "ignore" would be the received rule...

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    $\begingroup$ You can report spammers in CHQ - you should mention if someone has edited the offending material out of the post as it won't be possible to process it automatically if that has happened, additional steps are necessary. $\endgroup$
    – Rob
    Apr 8, 2019 at 17:43
  • $\begingroup$ @Rob: That probably wouldn't have done much because these were photos hosted on general photo-sharing platforms, as far as I remember. I'm not sure what the goal of this person was, but promoting some site or product didn't seem to be it. $\endgroup$
    – Fizz
    Apr 8, 2019 at 17:48
  • $\begingroup$ I understand that they use someone else's photos, even famous people, and might change the links. While specific links are one test the account itself, and any use of it, is another usage that can be tested for. While "spamming" is trying to get a click-thru to promote or sell a product someone whom is "trolling" is trying to promote an idea, agenda, or to influence. Worst come to worst CHQ (and SOBotics) can be alerted and manually cast Moderator flags or S,R/A flags. I've written manually and got quick results dozens of times. $\endgroup$
    – Rob
    Apr 8, 2019 at 18:36

2 Answers 2

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Downvote liberally, close if appropriate, and flag if appropriate (as you would for any other post).

The most recent post, per the comments, had a link that led to a stuffed browser history. I originally flagged for moderator attention, but then realized that I could just edit out the offending link. I think the user could use some moderator attention, because, though the post is no longer concerning, I think the behavior is. Best case, it represents either an effort to prank other users, or, if accidental, a lack of care.

As to whether this is a sockpuppet issue, I'm not sure it is. There is a specific internet subculture that becomes quite fixated on these sorts of things, so it's plausible that these questions could be coming from different users.

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Always flag suspicious sock puppets so that the mod team can look into it. Mods have tools to cross-check users and identify such users. In fact, using multiple sign-ins, although not recommended, is not a problem. Problem arises when users ask the same questions or otherwise perform repeated misbehavior with them.

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