Facebook clarifies its real-name policy in wake of controversy

Two weeks after enacting its controversial real-name policy, Facebook has now clarified what the company classifies as a “real-name.” Controversy arose when Facebook started deactivating accounts of well known drag queens, leading to a minor exodus to the Ello social network.

Facebook’s chief product officer Chris Cox posted a lengthy reply, which you can read on his Facebook. The gist of his apology is that Facebook fully supports the LGBTQ community and its right to use pseudonyms.

The spirit of our policy is that everyone on Facebook uses the authentic name they use in real life.

“Our policy has never been to require everyone on Facebook to use their legal name. The spirit of our policy is that everyone on Facebook uses the authentic name they use in real life. For Sister Roma, that’s Sister Roma. For Lil Miss Hot Mess, that’s Lil Miss Hot Mess. Part of what’s been so difficult about this conversation is that we support both of these individuals, and so many others affected by this, completely and utterly in how they use Facebook,” said Cox.

The reason why Facebook is enforcing a real-names policy is to cut down on harassment and trolling. Google had the same idea, requiring YouTube users to tie their real-names to their accounts with Google+. Google eventually removed its real-name requirement due to user backlash.

While Facebook understands the LGBTQ community’s need for anonymity, the company is also defending its need for a real-name policy.

“We believe this is the right policy for Facebook for two reasons. First, it’s part of what made Facebook special in the first place, by differentiating the service from the rest of the internet where pseudonymity, anonymity, or often random names were the social norm. Second, it’s the primary mechanism we have to protect millions of people every day, all around the world, from real harm. The stories of mass impersonation, trolling, domestic abuse, and higher rates of bullying and intolerance are oftentimes the result of people hiding behind fake names, and it’s both terrifying and sad. Our ability to successfully protect against them with this policy has borne out the reality that this policy, on balance, and when applied carefully, is a very powerful force for good,” writes Cox.

The company admits there’s a lot of work to be done to improve its “reporting and enforcement mechanisms” but doesn’t lay out any plans to do so. But at least the company is making exceptions to the rules. In the meantime, Ello will continue to enjoy its 31,000 sign up requests per hour as people try to find any social network to join other than Facebook.

Source: Chris Cox

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