FB and its naming policy

[Minerves]

If a persons legal name on bank cards, driving license etc. is, say, 'Katherine A Smith' or 'Katherine Anna Smith' but they have always gone by 'Anna Smith", AIBU to think that Facebook should accept this as her name?
I think FB should let people use whatver name they want, but if that's not allowed surely variation on the legal name should be accepted anyway siince lots of people aren't known by first names.

You can call yourself what you like on Facebook... Hence the muppets that call themselves Jane daisysmummy Smith

Loads of people seem to use false names though? I do, in fact. It's not my middle name, just a made-up name. Are you not allowed to do that then?

Do they not? I know loads of people on FB who patently are not using their real names as on bank cards ('Jane Smith was Jones' and 'Bob Awesome Shennanigans' are probably not real names).

Or are they cracking down?

Personally I think FB should get over themselves and let people use whatever name makes sense, but there we go.

Just to make it clear, mine's not got daisy or mummy in it!

You can call yourself what you like on Facebook... Hence the muppets that call themselves Jane daisysmummy Smith

This^^

You can call yourself what you like! DC1 and all of their friends have changed their names to random letters and words to stop Unis being able to google them as they're applying. Seems very normal here.

Where have you got it from that FB only allows your proper name?

They don't do any checks at all.

My sister's got an account in the name of her dog.

I've got a "Ellie loves being a mummy Taylor" on my fb. Shudder. (*false first and last names btw in fear of outing myself).

Im not know by any of my names . Facebook are being stupid again. I do sometimes think I would leave Facebook if it wasn't for the fact its the only way I get to communicate with family living on the other side of the world

About my name; my name is Florence but everyone calls me Sarah because my mum is also called Florence (not my real name, just as an example). Sarah is not my middle name because my sister has my middle name as her first name. Sarah was my Grandmothers name and I chose to use her name. When I registered with Facebook I put Sarah as my first name even though it isn't. I will be really miffed if Facebook now say I have to change it. No-one will know who I am, even my own family often don't realise I have a different name especially those who are a few decades younger than myself.

vital - FB do tell you it has to be your real name. They just don't check.

When did fb start checking names?

There's some outrage going on amongst the trans community atm, as well as drag queens because this issue does affect them disproportionately (most trans people will adopt a name from the gender they identify with before they legally change it, and drag queens use stage names), and apparently FB is planning to be more strict with the rules. However, they won't actually ask everyone for paperwork, only chase it up if someone reports someone else for using a false name. So it's an opportunity for cyber-bullying, in a way - if you know someone isn't using their legal name on FB you can report them and they'll have to change it/provide proof. There are a few petitions running to stop the crackdown, and Snopes has confirmed that it's not an urban myth that FB plans to police this policy more closely.

I have high settings on mine but also do not have my surname on there. I don't see why I should do!

annie - there's also concern amongst people who don't want abusive family members to be able to track them down, I think.

well yes, they don't do any checks!
So it's not a problem.

They say use your real name.

You say fair enough then sign up as tiddles mcchuffbucket and that's the end of it.

Certainly if they wanted proof from me, and I really really wanted to stay on fb but not give my real name, I'd just get on photoshop and doctor my last electric bill.

but I can't see fb giving many fucks if someone wants to use their middle name instead of their first name, tbh.

Jeanne - indeed, and there are probably loads of other people who have very legitimate reasons we haven't thought of. But this story was brought to my attention via the drag/trans angle, and they seem to be the community making the biggest noise to protest it. But I agree it's a stupid idea for many reasons.

There are a great many very legitimate reasons, from a simple "this is what everyone calls me" through to abuse (as you say) why people don't use their legal names on FB, which I'm sure outweigh the more dodgy reasons that FB is apparently concerned about. So I'm really not sure what moral/legal standpoint they're pinning this sudden change of policy on.

What? I've always gone by my birth name on Facebook and not my legal adoptive name. There's never been a problem. I doubt it's possible to check that many reported people tbh and what's to stop them opening a new account after?

Also what about adopted children whose names may not be safe to have online?

this'll just be another of FBs daft and unworkable ideas that'll vanish without trace.

If I used the name on my bank card/drivers licence for FB, no one would know who I was!

When did this change then? I know several people who use fake names to safeguard privacy and there are lots of people with obvious nicknames.

they have recently changed and are cracking down

it changed recently. rachaelohalloran.hubpages.com/hub/Spotlight-On-Facebook-And-Google-Crackdown-On-Using-Real-Names

I used to be a member of another forum and became known by a combination of my real first name and the board name I used on that site. That's the name I use on fb and until this thread haven't heard anything about this.

I don't have my real name on Facebook, I made one up. I've got a stalker ex and I would be in real danger if they could find me easily on FB.