Should Facebook Allow Aliases?

Early this morning, Jon Swift, a political blogger, sent me an email notifying me that his Facebook account had been removed. Only a couple of days ago, I blogged about how dangerous my reliance on Facebook is given that I now have hundreds of contacts that I don’t have backed up information for. Jon has now posted a lengthy diatribe about how unfair Facebook’s decision is to remove his account.

Technically, Facebook has a legitimate argument that this is a “fake account” given that Jon Swift the blogger, uses an alias to blog. If Jon ever speaks at a conference I wonder if he also speaks under his pseudonym. Should Jon be allowed to have a fake account? I don’t think so since Facebook does honestly want to have only legitimate accounts on their site. That’s one of the primary reasons for their spectacular growth over the past few years.

Some people do wish to protect their privacy though and that is a valid position. Ultimately, if you want to completely protect your privacy, don’t sign up for Facebook. If you want to create an alias, be discrete about it. I know a number of people that have false accounts on Facebook (none of whom I will name), but they have never had an issue with their alias accounts being shut down. That’s because they aren’t public about the fact that they were using an alias on Facebook. So if Jon wants to have an alias account, I suggest he use an alternative name that isn’t a publicly known for being false.

Perhaps I’m being too harsh though. Do you think Facebook should allow users to register aliases?

Inside Social Apps 2012 is Less Than Two Weeks Away

Mediabistro Event

Inside Social Apps, held on February 8-9 in San Francisco, is less than two weeks away. This is the third conference on the future of monetization on social and mobile platforms. Leaders from the industry will share their views on today's most formidable challenges affecting social and mobile apps and games in 2012. Inside Social Apps conferences sell out in advance, so take advantage of early registration pricing. Early bird rates end on February 1, so register today.

68027 CommentsShould+Facebook+Allow+Aliases%3F2007-11-01+14%3A59%3A32Nick+O%27Neill »

This is pretty important for me. I use Jez XXX and I also have a work FB with Jeremy XXX … My friends all know me as Jez and it is a recognised shortened version of Jeremy. I set up the work FB account as I realised that letting work colleagues know what I was up to at the weekend was a bit of a no no. I don't really use it and want to get rid of it soon in favour of aliases. Also didn't Facebook just change some back end coding that means they can now provide an individual user ID for everyone on earth and all of there pets? Lets hope this means that when they bring in the much needed groups of friends feature that we could have:Jez XXX – Friends The most wonderful Jez XXX – great friends!Jeremy XXX – workJ XXX – FamilyWould really help things out!

Comment by Jez — November 1, 2007 @ 7:04 am
Fake accounts weren't a problem until FB went from the university scene to the world. Now anyone can have multiple FB accounts, impossible to control. WTG, FB!

Comment by Steve — November 1, 2007 @ 7:28 am
It seems they only catch so many fake accounts.I wonder when they're going to notice I created an account for my motorcycle? It doesn't pretend to be an account for a real person at all, and yet it's been up for about half a year now.If they delete it, it's no tragedy for me, unless of course they delete my main account as well because I created a fake account. It wouldn't be hard to figure out that I created the account. We're listed as being in an "Open Relationship," and I'm sure they can check their logs and see we login from the same IP address.Next week, I'm going to work on a Facebook backup program. It'll let you backup the uid's of all your friends to a file to save on your computer, and if you get booted off, you create a new account, add the app again, upload your backup file, and it'll let you readd all your friends.I wonder if FB will delete that app?

Comment by Dan Jones — November 1, 2007 @ 7:31 am
This is pretty important for me.

I use Jez XXX and I also have a work FB with Jeremy XXX … My friends all know me as Jez and it is a recognised shortened version of Jeremy.

I set up the work FB account as I realised that letting work colleagues know what I was up to at the weekend was a bit of a no no. I don't really use it and want to get rid of it soon in favour of aliases.

Also didn't Facebook just change some back end coding that means they can now provide an individual user ID for everyone on earth and all of there pets?

Lets hope this means that when they bring in the much needed groups of friends feature that we could have:

Jez XXX – Friends

The most wonderful Jez XXX – great friends!

Jeremy XXX – work

J XXX – Family

Would really help things out!

Comment by Jez — November 1, 2007 @ 8:04 am
When will a social network come along that lets users sign up and automatically pull all of their Facebook information (messages, contacts, wall posts, pictures) into the new network? Is there anyone like that? Does Facebook ban that? I wouldnt be surprised. Facebook sucks and I hope people realize that and leave before Mark Zuckerberg can cash out.

Comment by Hey — November 1, 2007 @ 8:12 am
It seems they only catch so many fake accounts.

I wonder when they're going to notice I created an account for my motorcycle? It doesn't pretend to be an account for a real person at all, and yet it's been up for about half a year now.

If they delete it, it's no tragedy for me, unless of course they delete my main account as well because I created a fake account. It wouldn't be hard to figure out that I created the account. We're listed as being in an "Open Relationship," and I'm sure they can check their logs and see we login from the same IP address.

Next week, I'm going to work on a Facebook backup program. It'll let you backup the uid's of all your friends to a file to save on your computer, and if you get booted off, you create a new account, add the app again, upload your backup file, and it'll let you readd all your friends.

I wonder if FB will delete that app?

Comment by Dan Jones — November 1, 2007 @ 8:31 am
The solution to this would be the availability of officially sanctioned 'aliases' from Facebook that would be linked to real accounts. Perhaps this, in combination with the new friend grouping that is coming, would satisfy people. In the meantime, I fully support Facebook's stance. Aliases are one thing, but the true problem is when companies, bands, groups, etc. all start creating accounts. The 'one person, one account' philosophy is key. Facebook should work on ways that non-people can be represented on the site, but they should be separate from the main person directory.

Comment by Jon Nichols — November 1, 2007 @ 11:31 am
Fake accounts weren’t a problem until FB went from the university scene to the world. Now anyone can have multiple FB accounts, impossible to control. WTG, FB!

Comment by Steve — November 1, 2007 @ 11:28 am
The solution to this would be the availability of officially sanctioned 'aliases' from Facebook that would be linked to real accounts. Perhaps this, in combination with the new friend grouping that is coming, would satisfy people.

In the meantime, I fully support Facebook's stance. Aliases are one thing, but the true problem is when companies, bands, groups, etc. all start creating accounts. The 'one person, one account' philosophy is key. Facebook should work on ways that non-people can be represented on the site, but they should be separate from the main person directory.

Comment by Jon Nichols — November 1, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
I totally agree with Jon Nichols. One of Facebook's main asset is the trust we grant them for providing us a network of real and honest people.Now just like in real life, you can always flirt with the forbidden at your own risks. That's part of the game.

Comment by Xavier VESPA — November 1, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
I agree with Jon Nichols. Aliases lead to marketers. I understand that people like their privacy, but then don't create social networking profiles.

Comment by Christine — November 1, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
I totally agree with Jon Nichols. One of Facebook's main asset is the trust we grant them for providing us a network of real and honest people.

Now just like in real life, you can always flirt with the forbidden at your own risks. That's part of the game.

Comment by Xavier VESPA — November 1, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
I agree with Jon Nichols. Aliases lead to marketers. I understand that people like their privacy, but then don’t create social networking profiles.

Comment by Christine — November 1, 2007 @ 7:34 pm
It seems to me the answer to this problem is in two parts:1. Organizing facebook friends by tagging which are social, college, family, business, church, etc. — this features is coming from facebook and assuming each of these groups of tagged individuals will see a slightly different profile page for me, a different mix of photos, etc., then there is no need for an individual to have an alias2. Expansion of the Groups concept (see http://blog.adonomics.com/2007/10/12/is-supergr…..) — this will allow folks who want to write a blog (and even make money from it), or companies who want to have a sustained presence that is not dependent on an individual to create their own personal brand (vs. their identity) inside of facebook.With these two changes facebook can keep its subset of the social graph pure. This is important for social interactions (e.g., I want to know that the Steve Ballmer account I'm interacting with is the real Steve and not a another FakeSteve). It is also important for advertisers and for merchants who will want to know that an individual in facebook is the real deal and someone they can trust to pay with the credit card that they have registered inside of facebook.So, IMHO the solution is coming. That being said, I do feel like the Backup my Facebook Identity (including e-mail, notes, wall posts, photos, etc.) is a great idea for an app. I would hate to lose all of this data due to a bug in facebook. I also think that if an account is turned off that there should be some kind of appeal period where you can still use the account and back your data up but perhaps be restricted from sending too many messages (since this is how they prevent fake-account spamming).I had my account disabled for a period one time through some kind of false positive report and it was VERY DISCONCERTING. Part of facebook's power to reinvent the web is the fact that unlike the wild west chaos of the web, facebook is like a town with an all-powerful sheriff. However, with tremendous power comes tremendous responsibility and I'm hopeful that facebook will use some of their new resources to focus on this part of their system. Thanks,Lee LorenzenCEO, Altura Ventures — the first facebook-only VC(c) 2007 Altura Ventures LLC.

Comment by Lee Lorenzen — November 2, 2007 @ 5:51 am
It seems to me the answer to this problem is in two parts:

1. Organizing facebook friends by tagging which are social, college, family, business, church, etc. — this features is coming from facebook and assuming each of these groups of tagged individuals will see a slightly different profile page for me, a different mix of photos, etc., then there is no need for an individual to have an alias

2. Expansion of the Groups concept (see http://blog.adonomics.com/2007/10/12/is-supergrou... — this will allow folks who want to write a blog (and even make money from it), or companies who want to have a sustained presence that is not dependent on an individual to create their own personal brand (vs. their identity) inside of facebook.

With these two changes facebook can keep its subset of the social graph pure. This is important for social interactions (e.g., I want to know that the Steve Ballmer account I'm interacting with is the real Steve and not a another FakeSteve). It is also important for advertisers and for merchants who will want to know that an individual in facebook is the real deal and someone they can trust to pay with the credit card that they have registered inside of facebook.

So, IMHO the solution is coming. That being said, I do feel like the Backup my Facebook Identity (including e-mail, notes, wall posts, photos, etc.) is a great idea for an app. I would hate to lose all of this data due to a bug in facebook. I also think that if an account is turned off that there should be some kind of appeal period where you can still use the account and back your data up but perhaps be restricted from sending too many messages (since this is how they prevent fake-account spamming).

I had my account disabled for a period one time through some kind of false positive report and it was VERY DISCONCERTING. Part of facebook's power to reinvent the web is the fact that unlike the wild west chaos of the web, facebook is like a town with an all-powerful sheriff. However, with tremendous power comes tremendous responsibility and I'm hopeful that facebook will use some of their new resources to focus on this part of their system.

Thanks,

Lee Lorenzen

CEO, Altura Ventures — the first facebook-only VC

(c) 2007 Altura Ventures LLC.

Comment by Lee Lorenzen — November 2, 2007 @ 6:51 am
I don't mind too much using my real name in FaceBook for my friends and I do have my profile reasonably well locked down, but I'd really like to be able to use and alias when I venture into other areas like games.Because my name is reasonably unique, it's just too easy to google me.

Comment by Jon — April 11, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
I don't mind too much using my real name in FaceBook for my friends and I do have my profile reasonably well locked down, but I'd really like to be able to use and alias when I venture into other areas like games.

Because my name is reasonably unique, it's just too easy to google me.

Comment by Jon — April 11, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
Something I've always believed in is that people tend to use alias when they are at risk of danger or stalking(well known public figures, celebrities, abused people, etc), are not proud or unsure of what they say, scared of other people's reactions, asking for sensitive advice from sites and when they have something to hide. Usually it's one or more of these that causes one to use an alias. I see no real need for an alias on a site like Facebook. There's other(and better) places to blog, to play games, join groups, etc.

Comment by Faith Bennett — September 4, 2008 @ 11:56 am
I believe that he could have a page or a group to share under his Aliases and have his profile at maximum privacy.Pages and Groups gives you the abilities to have Videos, photos and with pages now ad html

Comment by Alex — September 8, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
My girl's account was removed 2 weeks ago. No warning or reason was given. She was devistated because she had over 200 friends, and has no contact information for many of them other than stupid facebook. She started up a new account and that one was promptly deleted too. She sent over 15 emails to the idiots at facebook who finally said she got deleted for using a fake name.She's been called 'devilgirl' for over 15 years now, starting from way back in the Toronto music scene – and many of her friends only know her by that name. There are 500+ current Facebook members with 'devil' in their name. Why single her out?They finally did reply, and restored her 2nd account, but not the first one with all her friends. Facebook is screwed. Both of us are getting ready to opt out of it for good… And I have a feeling facebook is generally on it's way of the dodo so we're a few of the first.

Comment by Mark — September 10, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
I just had my account nuked too. It was a fake name, but all of the profile information was accurate. Why? Because I DO value my privacy and any idiot being able to google my real name and have access to that kind of information is simple folly. All it takes is one loony with stolen, familiar credentials to end up on my friend list and VOILA! I get snail mail from HomeGrownVideo (actually happened – arrived at my address but with my Alias name. LOL) I refuse to create a social networking account with that much personal information. I have little ones to worry about here at the house and they won't be creating accounts either, not until they're 18 and out of my house. In the interest of full disclosure, I do have a real world account set up on LinkedIn, but I have never been contacted by anyone other than like professionals and I'm comfortable with the safeguards they have in place there to protect your privacy from people you do NOT want peering in. So that's that. No more facebook for me and I'm cool with that.

Comment by MacDaddy O Ten — January 20, 2009 @ 4:56 am
Can it not be created a site known as Aliases, so there is a confidentiality worth the name. If we all have such huge problems with government transparency, where are the criticism against the sites total-registrations, why not the size and color underwear as well.

Comment by Take a guess — October 24, 2009 @ 8:52 am
Why do people need to hide behind an Alias? If you are going to use a "Fake ID don't use another person's last name. If you use some one else's name for what ever purpose it is called identity theft. Identity theft is the fraudulent acquisition and use of a person's private identifying information. For those of you who may not get this it not only includes a persons date of Birth, where they were born but it also includes a Individuals Name in particular a person's Surname. Facebook has every right to shut you down and for that matter bar you for life. Check out facebook's "Terms of Use". Don't use real names or you just might end up in more serious hot water than your "Fake" account being removed you could face a law suit or even criminal charges. Facebook does not want that grief they have enough issues to deal with such as "Privacy Issues". Use your imagination not other peoples names and remember you did not pay for your account on facebook.

Comment by Ted Carvery — January 8, 2010 @ 11:03 am
It's absolutely essential in business to use an alias at times. There is nothing fake about it, it's a matter of professionalism. If John Doe is an employee at Acme Co and also a private contractor with Widgets ABC, it may be necessary to isolate these contact groups from each other.

Facebook has become a medium for business, it is not just a personal story sharing site. Personally, I don't want an inter-exchange between my personal and business contacts.

As I see it, the solution, is for Facebook to allow the distinct isolation of groups, to eliminate exchange between groups with such an attribute. FB should also allow aliases, associated to a single account, for example, John and ACME and John at Widgets ABC. A reasonable limit would have to be imposed on the number of aliases allowed, to prevent abuse.

In my personal scenario, I represent 5 different entities in a similar industry. I am a private contractor, I am not violating any agreements in doing so. However, it would be a conflict of interest to enable these organizations clients to interact through my profile. A fan page simply does not solve the need to be able to open communications with people in isolated independent networks appropriately.

Comment by Spencer — March 18, 2010 @ 7:40 am
OK you want to know why aliases should be allowed look at my situation and the abject failure of Facebook to do anything about it. I even had a friend post on Richard marshall (the so called anti cyberbullying crusader for facebook) and NOTHING has been done. This has gone on for 2 years now.

Basically I was reported for "harassing" a person on facebook, this person had already had 2 accounts permanently banned by facebook for harrassing others as well as myself yet somehow this person convinced someone at facebook that he is a victim.

There is even a group called Free Ryan bellerose dedicated to trying to get my account back and for people to post their experiences with the person who is stalking me.

Long story short I encountered this person as he was harassing a 17 year old girl, you can find the details on the free ryan group, this scumbag then proceeded to harass myself and several others. He has called and emailed my work, sent my work a vast number of emails and even tried to organise a campaign to have me fired.

despite over 80 emails facebook has yet to even look into this situation, I have been called a pedophile and a wife beater by this psychotic asshat and despite being reported to the police he continues his harassment of me and my friends.

There is no real appeal process for facebook and frankly its pathetic the level of customer service I have encountered. all I have ever gotten were auto messages.

whats sad is I used facebook to communicate with several friends overseas and I spent a lot of money on facebook games I was even a moderator for a facebook game called warbook.

I doubt that there is anyone who will do anything so im just venting at this point.

Comment by Ryan Bellerose — March 30, 2010 @ 8:41 pm
I suppose I should also mention that this person has had 2 accounts banned that we know of and has openly posted from 4 more (when he is blocked he merely makes another acct) all under his name. these accounts get reported but somehow remian unbanned.

Comment by Ryan Bellerose — March 30, 2010 @ 8:50 pm
Known and openly adopted Alias is best, i trying one as Ash Okas, with clarification courtesy John

Comment by Ash Okas — January 2, 2011 @ 8:39 am

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

This is pretty important for me. I use Jez XXX and I also have a work FB with Jeremy XXX … My friends all know me as Jez and it is a recognised shortened version of Jeremy. I set up the work FB account as I realised that letting work colleagues know what I was up to at the weekend was a bit of a no no. I don't really use it and want to get rid of it soon in favour of aliases. Also didn't Facebook just change some back end coding that means they can now provide an individual user ID for everyone on earth and all of there pets? Lets hope this means that when they bring in the much needed groups of friends feature that we could have:Jez XXX – Friends The most wonderful Jez XXX – great friends!Jeremy XXX – workJ XXX – FamilyWould really help things out!

Comment by Jez — November 1, 2007 @ 7:04 am

Fake accounts weren't a problem until FB went from the university scene to the world. Now anyone can have multiple FB accounts, impossible to control. WTG, FB!

Comment by Steve — November 1, 2007 @ 7:28 am

It seems they only catch so many fake accounts.I wonder when they're going to notice I created an account for my motorcycle? It doesn't pretend to be an account for a real person at all, and yet it's been up for about half a year now.If they delete it, it's no tragedy for me, unless of course they delete my main account as well because I created a fake account. It wouldn't be hard to figure out that I created the account. We're listed as being in an "Open Relationship," and I'm sure they can check their logs and see we login from the same IP address.Next week, I'm going to work on a Facebook backup program. It'll let you backup the uid's of all your friends to a file to save on your computer, and if you get booted off, you create a new account, add the app again, upload your backup file, and it'll let you readd all your friends.I wonder if FB will delete that app?

Comment by Dan Jones — November 1, 2007 @ 7:31 am

This is pretty important for me.

I use Jez XXX and I also have a work FB with Jeremy XXX … My friends all know me as Jez and it is a recognised shortened version of Jeremy.

I set up the work FB account as I realised that letting work colleagues know what I was up to at the weekend was a bit of a no no. I don't really use it and want to get rid of it soon in favour of aliases.

Also didn't Facebook just change some back end coding that means they can now provide an individual user ID for everyone on earth and all of there pets?

Lets hope this means that when they bring in the much needed groups of friends feature that we could have:

Jez XXX – Friends

The most wonderful Jez XXX – great friends!

Jeremy XXX – work

J XXX – Family

Would really help things out!

Comment by Jez — November 1, 2007 @ 8:04 am

When will a social network come along that lets users sign up and automatically pull all of their Facebook information (messages, contacts, wall posts, pictures) into the new network? Is there anyone like that? Does Facebook ban that? I wouldnt be surprised. Facebook sucks and I hope people realize that and leave before Mark Zuckerberg can cash out.

Comment by Hey — November 1, 2007 @ 8:12 am

It seems they only catch so many fake accounts.

I wonder when they're going to notice I created an account for my motorcycle? It doesn't pretend to be an account for a real person at all, and yet it's been up for about half a year now.

If they delete it, it's no tragedy for me, unless of course they delete my main account as well because I created a fake account. It wouldn't be hard to figure out that I created the account. We're listed as being in an "Open Relationship," and I'm sure they can check their logs and see we login from the same IP address.

Next week, I'm going to work on a Facebook backup program. It'll let you backup the uid's of all your friends to a file to save on your computer, and if you get booted off, you create a new account, add the app again, upload your backup file, and it'll let you readd all your friends.

I wonder if FB will delete that app?

Comment by Dan Jones — November 1, 2007 @ 8:31 am

The solution to this would be the availability of officially sanctioned 'aliases' from Facebook that would be linked to real accounts. Perhaps this, in combination with the new friend grouping that is coming, would satisfy people. In the meantime, I fully support Facebook's stance. Aliases are one thing, but the true problem is when companies, bands, groups, etc. all start creating accounts. The 'one person, one account' philosophy is key. Facebook should work on ways that non-people can be represented on the site, but they should be separate from the main person directory.

Comment by Jon Nichols — November 1, 2007 @ 11:31 am

Fake accounts weren’t a problem until FB went from the university scene to the world. Now anyone can have multiple FB accounts, impossible to control. WTG, FB!

Comment by Steve — November 1, 2007 @ 11:28 am

In the meantime, I fully support Facebook's stance. Aliases are one thing, but the true problem is when companies, bands, groups, etc. all start creating accounts. The 'one person, one account' philosophy is key. Facebook should work on ways that non-people can be represented on the site, but they should be separate from the main person directory.

Comment by Jon Nichols — November 1, 2007 @ 12:31 pm

I totally agree with Jon Nichols. One of Facebook's main asset is the trust we grant them for providing us a network of real and honest people.Now just like in real life, you can always flirt with the forbidden at your own risks. That's part of the game.

Comment by Xavier VESPA — November 1, 2007 @ 2:36 pm

I agree with Jon Nichols. Aliases lead to marketers. I understand that people like their privacy, but then don't create social networking profiles.

Comment by Christine — November 1, 2007 @ 3:34 pm

I totally agree with Jon Nichols. One of Facebook's main asset is the trust we grant them for providing us a network of real and honest people.

Now just like in real life, you can always flirt with the forbidden at your own risks. That's part of the game.

Comment by Xavier VESPA — November 1, 2007 @ 3:36 pm

I agree with Jon Nichols. Aliases lead to marketers. I understand that people like their privacy, but then don’t create social networking profiles.

Comment by Christine — November 1, 2007 @ 7:34 pm

It seems to me the answer to this problem is in two parts:1. Organizing facebook friends by tagging which are social, college, family, business, church, etc. — this features is coming from facebook and assuming each of these groups of tagged individuals will see a slightly different profile page for me, a different mix of photos, etc., then there is no need for an individual to have an alias2. Expansion of the Groups concept (see http://blog.adonomics.com/2007/10/12/is-supergr…..) — this will allow folks who want to write a blog (and even make money from it), or companies who want to have a sustained presence that is not dependent on an individual to create their own personal brand (vs. their identity) inside of facebook.With these two changes facebook can keep its subset of the social graph pure. This is important for social interactions (e.g., I want to know that the Steve Ballmer account I'm interacting with is the real Steve and not a another FakeSteve). It is also important for advertisers and for merchants who will want to know that an individual in facebook is the real deal and someone they can trust to pay with the credit card that they have registered inside of facebook.So, IMHO the solution is coming. That being said, I do feel like the Backup my Facebook Identity (including e-mail, notes, wall posts, photos, etc.) is a great idea for an app. I would hate to lose all of this data due to a bug in facebook. I also think that if an account is turned off that there should be some kind of appeal period where you can still use the account and back your data up but perhaps be restricted from sending too many messages (since this is how they prevent fake-account spamming).I had my account disabled for a period one time through some kind of false positive report and it was VERY DISCONCERTING. Part of facebook's power to reinvent the web is the fact that unlike the wild west chaos of the web, facebook is like a town with an all-powerful sheriff. However, with tremendous power comes tremendous responsibility and I'm hopeful that facebook will use some of their new resources to focus on this part of their system. Thanks,Lee LorenzenCEO, Altura Ventures — the first facebook-only VC(c) 2007 Altura Ventures LLC.

Comment by Lee Lorenzen — November 2, 2007 @ 5:51 am

It seems to me the answer to this problem is in two parts:

1. Organizing facebook friends by tagging which are social, college, family, business, church, etc. — this features is coming from facebook and assuming each of these groups of tagged individuals will see a slightly different profile page for me, a different mix of photos, etc., then there is no need for an individual to have an alias

2. Expansion of the Groups concept (see http://blog.adonomics.com/2007/10/12/is-supergrou... — this will allow folks who want to write a blog (and even make money from it), or companies who want to have a sustained presence that is not dependent on an individual to create their own personal brand (vs. their identity) inside of facebook.

With these two changes facebook can keep its subset of the social graph pure. This is important for social interactions (e.g., I want to know that the Steve Ballmer account I'm interacting with is the real Steve and not a another FakeSteve). It is also important for advertisers and for merchants who will want to know that an individual in facebook is the real deal and someone they can trust to pay with the credit card that they have registered inside of facebook.

So, IMHO the solution is coming. That being said, I do feel like the Backup my Facebook Identity (including e-mail, notes, wall posts, photos, etc.) is a great idea for an app. I would hate to lose all of this data due to a bug in facebook. I also think that if an account is turned off that there should be some kind of appeal period where you can still use the account and back your data up but perhaps be restricted from sending too many messages (since this is how they prevent fake-account spamming).

I had my account disabled for a period one time through some kind of false positive report and it was VERY DISCONCERTING. Part of facebook's power to reinvent the web is the fact that unlike the wild west chaos of the web, facebook is like a town with an all-powerful sheriff. However, with tremendous power comes tremendous responsibility and I'm hopeful that facebook will use some of their new resources to focus on this part of their system.

Thanks,

Lee Lorenzen

CEO, Altura Ventures — the first facebook-only VC

Comment by Lee Lorenzen — November 2, 2007 @ 6:51 am

I don't mind too much using my real name in FaceBook for my friends and I do have my profile reasonably well locked down, but I'd really like to be able to use and alias when I venture into other areas like games.Because my name is reasonably unique, it's just too easy to google me.

Comment by Jon — April 11, 2008 @ 3:39 pm

Because my name is reasonably unique, it's just too easy to google me.

Comment by Jon — April 11, 2008 @ 4:39 pm

Something I've always believed in is that people tend to use alias when they are at risk of danger or stalking(well known public figures, celebrities, abused people, etc), are not proud or unsure of what they say, scared of other people's reactions, asking for sensitive advice from sites and when they have something to hide. Usually it's one or more of these that causes one to use an alias. I see no real need for an alias on a site like Facebook. There's other(and better) places to blog, to play games, join groups, etc.

Comment by Faith Bennett — September 4, 2008 @ 11:56 am

I believe that he could have a page or a group to share under his Aliases and have his profile at maximum privacy.Pages and Groups gives you the abilities to have Videos, photos and with pages now ad html

Comment by Alex — September 8, 2008 @ 4:23 pm

My girl's account was removed 2 weeks ago. No warning or reason was given. She was devistated because she had over 200 friends, and has no contact information for many of them other than stupid facebook. She started up a new account and that one was promptly deleted too. She sent over 15 emails to the idiots at facebook who finally said she got deleted for using a fake name.She's been called 'devilgirl' for over 15 years now, starting from way back in the Toronto music scene – and many of her friends only know her by that name. There are 500+ current Facebook members with 'devil' in their name. Why single her out?They finally did reply, and restored her 2nd account, but not the first one with all her friends. Facebook is screwed. Both of us are getting ready to opt out of it for good… And I have a feeling facebook is generally on it's way of the dodo so we're a few of the first.

Comment by Mark — September 10, 2008 @ 2:47 pm

I just had my account nuked too. It was a fake name, but all of the profile information was accurate. Why? Because I DO value my privacy and any idiot being able to google my real name and have access to that kind of information is simple folly. All it takes is one loony with stolen, familiar credentials to end up on my friend list and VOILA! I get snail mail from HomeGrownVideo (actually happened – arrived at my address but with my Alias name. LOL) I refuse to create a social networking account with that much personal information. I have little ones to worry about here at the house and they won't be creating accounts either, not until they're 18 and out of my house. In the interest of full disclosure, I do have a real world account set up on LinkedIn, but I have never been contacted by anyone other than like professionals and I'm comfortable with the safeguards they have in place there to protect your privacy from people you do NOT want peering in. So that's that. No more facebook for me and I'm cool with that.

Comment by MacDaddy O Ten — January 20, 2009 @ 4:56 am

Can it not be created a site known as Aliases, so there is a confidentiality worth the name. If we all have such huge problems with government transparency, where are the criticism against the sites total-registrations, why not the size and color underwear as well.

Comment by Take a guess — October 24, 2009 @ 8:52 am

Why do people need to hide behind an Alias? If you are going to use a "Fake ID don't use another person's last name. If you use some one else's name for what ever purpose it is called identity theft. Identity theft is the fraudulent acquisition and use of a person's private identifying information. For those of you who may not get this it not only includes a persons date of Birth, where they were born but it also includes a Individuals Name in particular a person's Surname. Facebook has every right to shut you down and for that matter bar you for life. Check out facebook's "Terms of Use". Don't use real names or you just might end up in more serious hot water than your "Fake" account being removed you could face a law suit or even criminal charges. Facebook does not want that grief they have enough issues to deal with such as "Privacy Issues". Use your imagination not other peoples names and remember you did not pay for your account on facebook.

Comment by Ted Carvery — January 8, 2010 @ 11:03 am

It's absolutely essential in business to use an alias at times. There is nothing fake about it, it's a matter of professionalism. If John Doe is an employee at Acme Co and also a private contractor with Widgets ABC, it may be necessary to isolate these contact groups from each other.

Facebook has become a medium for business, it is not just a personal story sharing site. Personally, I don't want an inter-exchange between my personal and business contacts.

As I see it, the solution, is for Facebook to allow the distinct isolation of groups, to eliminate exchange between groups with such an attribute. FB should also allow aliases, associated to a single account, for example, John and ACME and John at Widgets ABC. A reasonable limit would have to be imposed on the number of aliases allowed, to prevent abuse.

In my personal scenario, I represent 5 different entities in a similar industry. I am a private contractor, I am not violating any agreements in doing so. However, it would be a conflict of interest to enable these organizations clients to interact through my profile. A fan page simply does not solve the need to be able to open communications with people in isolated independent networks appropriately.

Comment by Spencer — March 18, 2010 @ 7:40 am

OK you want to know why aliases should be allowed look at my situation and the abject failure of Facebook to do anything about it. I even had a friend post on Richard marshall (the so called anti cyberbullying crusader for facebook) and NOTHING has been done. This has gone on for 2 years now.

Basically I was reported for "harassing" a person on facebook, this person had already had 2 accounts permanently banned by facebook for harrassing others as well as myself yet somehow this person convinced someone at facebook that he is a victim.

There is even a group called Free Ryan bellerose dedicated to trying to get my account back and for people to post their experiences with the person who is stalking me.

Long story short I encountered this person as he was harassing a 17 year old girl, you can find the details on the free ryan group, this scumbag then proceeded to harass myself and several others. He has called and emailed my work, sent my work a vast number of emails and even tried to organise a campaign to have me fired.

despite over 80 emails facebook has yet to even look into this situation, I have been called a pedophile and a wife beater by this psychotic asshat and despite being reported to the police he continues his harassment of me and my friends.

There is no real appeal process for facebook and frankly its pathetic the level of customer service I have encountered. all I have ever gotten were auto messages.

whats sad is I used facebook to communicate with several friends overseas and I spent a lot of money on facebook games I was even a moderator for a facebook game called warbook.

I doubt that there is anyone who will do anything so im just venting at this point.

Comment by Ryan Bellerose — March 30, 2010 @ 8:41 pm

I suppose I should also mention that this person has had 2 accounts banned that we know of and has openly posted from 4 more (when he is blocked he merely makes another acct) all under his name. these accounts get reported but somehow remian unbanned.

Comment by Ryan Bellerose — March 30, 2010 @ 8:50 pm

Known and openly adopted Alias is best, i trying one as Ash Okas, with clarification courtesy John

Comment by Ash Okas — January 2, 2011 @ 8:39 am

Should Facebook Allow Aliases?

Recommended Articles

Inside Social Apps 2012 is Less Than Two Weeks Away

68027 CommentsShould+Facebook+Allow+Aliases%3F2007-11-01+14%3A59%3A32Nick+O%27Neill »

Leave a comment

Follow AllFacebook

Send us a Tip

Social Media Jobs

Let your next job find you!

Featured Company

Jobs of the Day

Digital Strategist

Digital/Social Media Manager - Entertainment

Social Media Coordinator

See all jobs

Upcoming Events

Should Facebook Allow Aliases?

Recommended Articles

Inside Social Apps 2012 is Less Than Two Weeks Away

68027 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allfacebook.com%2Fshould-facebook-allow-aliases-2007-11Should+Facebook+Allow+Aliases%3F2007-11-01+14%3A59%3A32Nick+O%27Neillhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allfacebook.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fshould-facebook-allow-aliases%2F »

Leave a comment

Follow AllFacebook

Send us a Tip

Social Media Jobs

Let your next job find you!

Featured Company

Jobs of the Day

Digital Strategist

Digital/Social Media Manager - Entertainment

Social Media Coordinator

See all jobs

Upcoming Events

68027 CommentsShould+Facebook+Allow+Aliases%3F2007-11-01+14%3A59%3A32Nick+O%27Neill »