Merge pull request #632 from per1234/no-block-policy

Document IP blocking policy in "Moderator Instructions"

Author: per1234

content/categories/staff/moderation/_topics/moderator-instructions/1.md

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ For an overview of the Discourse moderation system, see the "[**Discourse Modera
 <!-- toc -->
 
 - [Policies](#policies)
+  - [Do not block IP addresses](#do-not-block-ip-addresses)
   - [Do not delete accounts](#do-not-delete-accounts)
   - [Use flags to delete posts](#use-flags-to-delete-posts)
 - [Flags](#flags)
@@ -73,6 +74,18 @@ Arduino Forum provides a powerful and flexible moderation interface. You may not
 
 ---
 
+<a name="do-not-block-ip-addresses"></a>
+
+### [Do not block IP addresses](#do-not-block-ip-addresses)
+
+You may find that certain parts of the Discourse moderation interface offer the option to block IP addresses of users. This feature _**must not**_ be used.
+
+Although IP blocking may seem useful as a measure to prevent a malicious user from returning with a new account, as a policy we do not block IP addresses. The reason is that a given IP address may be assigned to multiple unrelated people. In this case, a block to prevent one person from using the forum would later cause the others unfortunate enough to have that same IP address to be unjustly blocked from the forum.
+
+If you believe there is a pattern of significant malicious activity associated with a specific IP address, notify the forum manager of the situation.
+
+---
+
 <a name="do-not-delete-accounts"></a>
 
 ### [Do not delete accounts](#do-not-delete-accounts)