Since I wasn't really satisfied with the response I got from Wolf_ in the #msx chat on Rizon, I decided to open a topic here in the hope to get a response from the rest of the MSX Resource Center staff and to point out to the rest of the forum visitors that sockpuppeting isn't safe here apparently.
A quote from wolf_ from the marlon-b=RyJuZo discussion in the age+ thread:
Ahum.. according to an IP-check I just did, they probably are.. :P
So, if you have a sock-puppet account, apparently it is okay for a moderator to break section 5.1 of the MRC policies:
5.1 Any provided personal information submitted to the MRC in non-public areas, like membership account information, is kept confidential. Such information will not be shared with any third parties and is only accessible by MRC administrators.
Imho an IP-address is 'personal information submitted to the MRC in non-public areas' and by saying that IPs match, MRC is sharing it. Maybe not the exact IP, but without access to the information, members can never be sure if IPs match.
As I suggested in chat, maybe a policy change is in order? Either say that sock-puppet accounts will be merged, or make IP addresses public through a 1-way encryption if you want users to figure out for themselves if someone is a sockpuppet or not.
Or adhere to your own policies and train your staff to keep that information to yourself. People are clever enough to figure out if a user is a sockpuppet or not. If they aren't, then that is their problem.
In the mean time, if you intend to have a sockpuppet account, be aware that MRC staff apparently has the right to say you are connecting from the same IP as your original account.