Facebook’s change in policy requiring users to use their real name has backfired forcing the social network to issue an apology to this effect calling the whole exercise a ‘misunderstanding’.
The reversal came as a result of negotiations with the affected groups by the Chief Product Officer Chris Fox. In the apology carried in his Facebook page, he wrote: “In the two weeks since the real-name policy issues surfaced, we’ve had the chance to hear from many of you in these communities and understand the policy more clearly as you experience it. We’ve also come to understand how painful this has been.”
In the apology Fox said that they are going to fix the policy so that all those affected can use Facebook as they were; however, he didn’t admit that the policy was flawed.
The decision to insist on using real names began after it received complaints from a drag queens group and the San Francisco Supervisor David Campos. They argued that potentially the permission to use a pseudonym has great implications that affect the health and safety of LGBT members in the social media.
During the period of embargo, say reports, many drag personalities’ accounts were locked. Other affected by the embargo include survivors of crime and immigrants. They argue it compromises their safety.
