facebook

facebook update

Sunday, September 14th, 2008
by alphaxion

They finally responded 4 days after I sent my email and simply gave me a copy n paste response of “we require your full name”, handily ignoring my request as to why I can’t use the name I wish to be known as.

I sent them a terse email back asking why they ignored my question. Maybe I’ll get a response next week about it.

great system facebook!

Sunday, September 14th, 2008
by alphaxion

OK, I have been trying to avoid myspaz and farcebook myspace and facebook for as long as possible but now it looks like I have no choice but to sign up to one of them if I wish to really get my ideas off the ground.

I decided to try signing up to facebook, since if I wish to even check out any of their content you need to have an account it seemed like the first place to start.

I tap in my details and it appears facebook have never heard of names without surnames.
No problem, I’m used to sites not giving me the option of using a single name and I split alphaxion into how I pronounce it (alpha xion, those of you who say “alfax ion” are getting it wrong).

Hmm.. either facebook have me on their blacklist (I only occasionally troll when tools deserve it, honest!) or they seem to think they know what we should be called…

I will not be dictated to when it comes to my name. I choose, not what someone else thinks my name should be!

Clicking on their “contact us” link, I obtain info on how to follow this issue up with their support.

Below is a copy of the email

To: facebook
From: alphaxion

Full Name: alphaxion
Date of birth: **/**/** (NB: UK date format)
Login email address: me@me.me

Surely what I wish to be known as should be my decision. As long as my name is not offensive, I do not see why this is a problem. I should not have to provide my real world name if I do not wish to.
Also, the majority of people know me by the name I have chosen to use (this would be alphaxion) and relatively few people know me by my given name. What possible use could you have for my real name? Even splitting it into two (alpha xion) due to your myopic insistance of having a surname (little tip for you, not everyone has surnames) causes it to be rejected.

This limitation is completely pointless, especially since you would have my IP address while using your site and a government sanctioned request would pull up all the information for whatever they require. Demanding my real world name is an unwelcome move as I should be the one who decides when and where I wish to use which name - to not allow this shows an ignorance to the way in which many people form their identities.

Regards,
alphaxion

Lets see how they respond…