Facebook's controversial policy requiring its users to use their real names just received an update.
The policy itself is not changing, FacebookTuesday, but the social network will now allow users to provide their own explanation when verifying their name. That explanation will be included in Facebook review teams’ profiles so they can provide “personalized support.”
Also, when users report a Facebook with a “fake” name, they will have to provide additional information. In the past, they could report a profile without further explanation.
Facebook's name policy is intended to make people "feel safe and confident that they know who they are communicating with," according to the announcement. It also makes it harder for users to anonymously bully and harass others.
This rule, however, was widely criticized last year by transgender people and drag performers, who must use names that refer to their gender identity but do not match their legal names.
At the time, Facebook issued an apology and extensive statement from the company's chief product officer, Chris Cox, who promised to "define how this policy will handle things," but did not provide details on how it would do so.
In the past, Facebook has given users seven days to verify or update their name if their account has been reported as having a “fake” name. Previously, users often faced account deactivation after their name was reported. So the company has expanded the list of options and documents people can use to verify their name.
The goal is to make the experience more "understandable and easy to navigate," but the name policy itself will remain the same.
“We have been consistent with this policy and that is not changing,” Justin Osofsky, vice president of global operations, and Todd Gage, chief product officer, said in a statement released Tuesday. “However, after receiving feedback from our community, we recognize that it is important that this policy works for everyone, especially for communities that have been marginalized or discriminated against.”
