Facebook is on the rampage but doing it with finesse as it cracks down on fake namesfollowing a row with the LGBT community.
The LGBT community started leaving Facebook in order to created pseudonyms. It all began when several weeks past Facebook dropped the hammer on several hundred drag performers. These performers were reported as fake. The way Facebook authenticated accounts was by asking the suspect account holder to supply identification that they were using their real name. This 10 year policy worked well. Facebook never demanded people use their real name but they support when people do. To battle the fakers however the big news is that Facebook is developing new authentication tools that should put the issue to rest once and for all.
This news should shake the foundations of Facebook and all the fake people who use Facebook to run scams and cause mischief. It doesn’t mean that everyone will have to use their real name but if they use a pseudo name they’ll have to provide credentials of some sort. The drag queen performers heralded the decision by Facebook stating that it was a good step forward.
Facebook’s bread and butter is its membership base. If that base gets compromised they risk losing them as they did with the LGBT community. Loss of members means loss in revenue and that could affect stocks. Facebook doesn’t need or want any competition to knock it off the top of the heap so this change in procedure is a smart move on their part. The big question is will it work. Facebook hasn’t disclosed the process by which they’ll do all this so it’s still up in the air what will transpire.
It might take months for anyone to see major results and it may bring about a cleaning of the house and dropping the liability that comes from fake accounts where drugs, violence, hate speech, and scams are prevalent. Making the Facebook community safe would mean greater trust, revenue, and a possible boost in stocks already high as they are.
Taking a proactive stance but being compassionate at the same time is enough left Facebook with no bruises but also opens the door to greater responsibility on their part that they have to prove.
