The Latest Insights from International Online Marketing
4 August 2015.
Regulators in Germany have told Facebook that it is not allowed to enforce its real-name policy in the country.
Facebook’s real-name policy states that users are only allowed to have one account each, and that the account must use the individual’s legal name.
If an account is suspected of using a fake name, it is locked by the social network until the user provides a copy of a legal document that includes their real name, such as a passport or ID card.
German regulators say that the policy goes against German law, which says that German citizens have a right to use a pseudonym. Regulators also say that it is illegal for the company to ask for digital copies of user’s passports and ID cards.
A spokesperson from Facebook has hit out against the regulators, saying: “We’re disappointed Facebook’s authentic name policy is being revisited, since German courts have reviewed it on multiple occasions and regulators have determined it fully complies with applicable European data protection law.”
Search and discover everything we've reported on certain brands or industry topics. Follow the trends right before your eyes - and in the blink of eye you know.