Facebook’s controversial policy requiring users to use their real names just got an upgrade.
The policy itself isn’t changing, according to a statement released by Tuesday, but Facebook will now allow users to explain a special circumstance when verifying their name.
Users will also have access to their account for seven days if their account is reported as having a “fake” name, allowing the user to verify or update their name. In the past, users sometimes found their account suddenly deactivated following a name report.
When users report a “fake name,” they’ll have to provide additional information; in the past they could submit a report without explanation.
Facebook’s name policy was criticized widely last year by transgender people and drag performers who used names that reflected their gender identity, but did not match their legal name.
Sister Roma, a well-known member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a prominent drag group in San Francisco, was among the first to call attention to the Facebook’s policy, after she was locked out of her account.
Soon after, other drag performers and transgender people reported encountering similar issues and they and other activists took to social media to express their concern with Facebook’s policy using the #mynameis hashtag.
The policy, they said, not only discriminated against the LGBT community, but also endangered victims of stalking and domestic violence who many not want to use their legal name in order to protect themselves from their abusers.
At the time, Facebook issued an apology and lengthy statement from the company’s chief product officer, Chris Cox, promising to “fix the way this policy gets handled” but didn’t provide specifics on how it would do so.
“We’re firmly committed to this policy, and it is not changing,” said Justin Osofsky, vice president of global operations, and Todd Gage, product manager, in the statement issued Tuesday. “However, after hearing feedback from our community, we recognize that it’s also important that this policy works for everyone, especially for communities who are marginalized or face discrimination.”
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Source: Mashable.com