Protests Against Facebook's Real Name Policy

Facebook's operators state that their overall policy is to verify the real identities of users and to prevent anonymous individuals from using the social network. However, this policy has been protested by various user groups who believe that their pseudonyms are part of their identity and that using real names may pose risks to them. These groups include Native Americans, victims of domestic violence, transgender individuals, and men who exhibit exaggerated feminine clothing, makeup, and behaviors. These groups have come together under a campaign called 'My Name Is' or #MyNameIs and plan to hold a protest on Monday, June 1, at Facebook's headquarters in Menlo Park, Northern California. Currently, any user can report another user for using a pseudonym, which can lead to the blocking of that user's account. Members of the 'My Name Is' campaign believe that some individuals who harbor hostility towards their identities and behaviors could use this policy to remove them from this social space. They accuse Facebook of effectively joining the ranks of hate spreaders with this policy. This is not the first time Facebook has faced protests from these groups. Last September, members of this campaign met with senior Facebook officials regarding these issues, and although Facebook apologized for the problems and expedited the review process for blocked accounts, it maintains that the use of real names is the primary policy of this social network. Facebook argues that using real names makes individuals accountable and responsible, ultimately reducing harassment and hate speech.