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[epiphanomaly]

In highly unsatisfying news, my facebook account was disabled because it was under a "fake" name. Well, you can imagine all the indignant things I had to say to facebook... but you needn't because I'll show you!

Firstly, this is indeed the email associated with my personal facebook account

Comments

[reichmarshall]

So... law school, huh? Something tells me you're going to do very well!

[epiphanomaly]

Thanks, though I actually haven't been accepted into any law school yet. I have to finish the courses I need for my psych degree before I can be; I'll be doing that starting January. My point stands!

[epiphanomaly]

Can I quote you on that?

That you knew me for a year before you heard my real name, not that FB are asshats :)

[reichmarshall]

There was a very good movie made about their asshattery a short time ago.

[whittles]

have you gotten a reply yet? Btw, nice use of sobriquet. Don't see that one very often.

[epiphanomaly]

No reply yet; I'll post it when I do.

I expect a very short, dissatisfying "Facebook policy" response, blah blah blah.

I understand that when you agree to play their game you agree to play by their rules, but still, this is horseshit...

[sparklydevil]

WTF!!!!

Have they not heard of STALKING? Can they not imagine while performers would NOT want their legal name available to all? WTF!

BTW, I highly suggest calling them: 650-543-4800

[epiphanomaly]

Omg, thanks for the number! will definitely call and point out the stalkery thing too: a valid point for someone with two restraining orders to make.

xoxo

[brookswift]

I can ping some of my internal FB friends for a good method of action around this asinine decision.

[epiphanomaly]

That would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[brookswift]

After a bit of discussion, this is what came out:

"I think in the case of Lady Gaga, we would insist that her Profile name was "Stephani Germanotta" and allow her to create and manage a Page called "Lady Gaga". If her stage identity is closely linked to her real identity, she could link to her Profile from her Page,

I am not a FB policy expert, so she should feel free to email in, but this seems like something we would tell her."

His best advice is to email customer support and make your case. It does seem like there are a lot of people who use pseudonyms or stage names on facebook, but it may be that they just haven't gotten around to removing those profiles yet. The policy is rather strict. Best of luck in the struggle.

[epiphanomaly]

Sent the above email a week ago: no response.
Should have called like Sparkly suggested, but have been too busy moving into my new place and enjoying the _real_ world and _real_ interactions. :b

Since probably about 60% of profiles have fake or altered names, the rule is not strict and its enforcement is completely arbitrary.
There is also the safety issue: facebook wants me to facilitate stalking activity, which I've had quite enough of in my day, thanks. My alternative is to have a legal-name profile that in no way indicates my burlesque persona, which defeats the purpose of fb for me, or to create a "fan" page for my burlesque persona that in no way indicates my legal persona which is unable to interact with friends via posting on walls &c, which *also* defeats the purpose of f b for me.

Anyway, thanks for asking, Christophe! I appreciate it.

I haven't seen you in a while--how do you like your new place? it's really beautiful!