Wikipedia is changing editing permissions for users trying to change the page for “recession” after a dispute over its exact definition. Wikimedia, the company that runs the online encyclopedia, will force new and anonymous users to have their updates reviewed and accepted by an editor before they publish their changes to the page. Last week the Commerce Department announced that the United States economy contracted for the second quarter in a row. “Semi-protected articles can only be edited by logged-in users whose accounts are at least 4 days old and have made at least 10 edits,” Wikimedia said in a statement emailed to Bloomberg. “Volunteer editors use these and other tools on a regular basis to ensure that Wikipedia content is neutral and well-sourced.” Originally, the definition of a recession was two consecutive quarters of decline in gross domestic product. US GDP fell at an annual rate of 0.9% in the second quarter, after falling 1.6% in the first quarter of 2022. The Commerce Department fueled recession fears last week after it announced that US GDP contracted for a second straight quarter at an annual rate of 0.9%. (istock / iStock) FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF MINNEAPOLIS CEO SAYS INFLATION IS ‘VERY WORRYING’ AND ‘SPOILERS’ THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMY However, the news sparked a debate with Wikipedia users rushing to the page and changing the exact definition of the term. Initially, the company semi-locked the page, meaning only users with accounts at least four days old and 10 verified edits could make changes to the recession page. The encyclopedia plans to lift the semi-lock and allow volunteer editors to handle all requested changes. “Volunteer editors know this and have created tools and mechanisms to respond to a multitude of edits to articles that are in the public domain in order to maintain the standards of neutrality and verifiability that govern the site,” a Wikimedia spokesperson told The Hill. “Protecting an item is a common tool they use.” GET THE FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE Currently, Wikipedia’s definition of a recession states: “Although the definition of a recession varies between different countries and scholars, two consecutive quarters of decline in a country’s real gross domestic product (real GDP) is commonly used as a practical definition of a recession.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT FOX BUSINESS