Facebook real-name policy controversy

Facebook's notification to "update your name"

The Facebook real-name policy controversy refers to the controversy over social networking site Facebook's real-name system with how people register user profiles.

Background

The social networking website Facebook has maintained the real-name system policy for user profiles. According to Facebook, the real-name policy stems from the position "that way, you always know who you're connecting with. This helps keep our community safe."[1][2] Likewise per this policy, a "real name" is defined by "your real name as it would be listed on your credit card, driver's license or student ID."[3] In August 2012, Facebook estimated that more than 83 million Facebook accounts are fake accounts.[4] As a result of this revelation, the share price of Facebook dropped below $20.[5] Facebook has asserted that "authentic identity is important to the Facebook experience, and our goal is that every account on Facebook should represent a real person."[4] According to Dianna Dragonetti, Facebook even disregarded her government identification when supplied.[6]

Facebook's real-name policy does not reflect adopted names or pseudonyms used by the LGBT community, and has even led to suspending users with real names that might be thought to be fake.[7] A user via the anonymous Android and iOS app Secret began reporting "fake names" which caused user profiles to be suspended, specifically targeting the stage names of drag queens.[3][8]

On October 1, 2014, Chris Cox, Chief Product Officer at Facebook, offered an apology to the LGBT community and drag kings and queens:

In the two weeks since the real-name policy issues surfaced, we've had the chance to hear from many of you in these communities and understand the policy more clearly as you experience it. We've also come to understand how painful this has been. We owe you a better service and a better experience using Facebook, and we're going to fix the way this policy gets handled so everyone affected here can go back to using Facebook as you were.[9]

Native Americans have also been targeted due to the Facebook real-name policy.[10] On October 13, 2014, Native Americans' user profiles—specifically in Yellow Springs, Ohio—were deactivated without investigation.[11][12] Native American activists plan to file a class action lawsuit against Facebook regarding the 'real name' policy. [13]

List of notable Facebook accounts suspended

Reaction

International non-profit digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation stated they were "alarmed to hear that Facebook's 'real name' policy is disproportionately affecting the LGBTQ community."<ref name="EFF>Kayyali, Nadia; York, Jillian (September 16, 2014). "Facebook's 'Real Name' Policy Can Cause Real-World Harm for the LGBTQ Community". Electronic Frontier Foundation. Retrieved October 22, 2014.</ref>

Online magazine Queerty called Facebook's policy "a frankly creepy overreach of authority", adding "There are a million reasons why someone would choose to self-identify with a name other than the one that's printed on their birth certificate. And really, it's absolutely none of your business in the first place."[19]

Seattle drag performer Olivia LaGarce started a Change.org online petition titled "Allow performers to use their stage names on their Facebook accounts!"[16][18][20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Grinberg, Emanuella (September 18, 2014). "Facebook 'real name' policy stirs questions around identity". CNN. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  2. ↑ "What names are allowed on Facebook?". Facebook. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Levy, Karyne (October 1, 2014). "Facebook Apologizes For 'Real Name' Policy That Forced Drag Queens To Change Their Profiles". Business Insider. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Facebook: About 83 million accounts are fake". USA Today. August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  5. ↑ Rushe, Dominic (August 2, 2012). "Facebook share price slumps below $20 amid fake account flap". The Guardian (London). Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  6. ↑ Dragonetti, Diana (October 20, 2014). "Is Facebook easing up on its 'real names' policy—or cracking down?". The Daily Dot. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  7. ↑ Ortutay, Barbara (May 25, 2009). "Real users caught in Facebook fake-name purge". The San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  8. ↑ Holpuck, Amanda. "Facebook still freezing accounts despite apology to drag queens over 'real names.'". Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  9. ↑ Cox, Chris (October 1, 2014). "Chris Cox - I want to apologize to the affected community of drag...". Facebook. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  10. ↑ Holpuck, Amanda. "Facebook still suspending Native Americans over 'real name' policy". Guardian. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  11. ↑ Adawehi, David (October 15, 2014). "Facebook Deleted Accounts of Native Americans On Columbus Day For Having ‘Fake Names’". Counter Current News. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  12. ↑ Vibes, John (October 20, 2014). "Native Americans Get Facebook Pages Removed On Columbus Day For “Fake Names”". True Activist. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  13. ↑ Holpuck, Amanda. "Native American activist to sue Facebook over site's 'real name' policy". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media Limited). Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "San Francisco supervisor calls for Facebook, drag queens to meet over profile name crackdown". San Jose Mercury News. September 15, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Senora Oso Responde: “Lady Bear” Responds to the Facebook Name Change Game". Dragaholic. September 13, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Lee, Dave (September 12, 2014). "Drag queens in Facebook name row". BBC News. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  17. ↑ Signorile, Michelangelo (September 20, 2014). "Sister Roma, Drag Performer, Talks About Leading Fight Against Facebook Name Policy". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Schmader, David (September 26, 2014). "Facebook Fails to Explain Its Discriminatory and Dangerous 'Real Names' Policy". The Stranger. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  19. ↑ Tracer, Dan (September 11, 2014). "Facebook Targeting Drag Queens, Forcing Them To Use Their Legal Names". Queerty. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  20. ↑ LaGarce, Olivia. "Petition · Allow performers to use their stage names on their Facebook accounts!". Change.org. Retrieved October 22, 2014.