Get this... FaceBook want's me to upload my legal ID. WTF?

[Equinox Moon]

When did FB become Homeland Security?

https://www.facebook.com/help/159096464162185?helpref=faq_content

[rzemanfl]

1. Don't. I don't know a thing about Facebook, but don't

other people here will know more than me.

[Equinox Moon]

5. I don't plan on it.

They are going to close my account. Oh well.

[chillfactor]

2. spam I suspect

or someone has hacked your account.....load NOTHING!

[Equinox Moon]

3. Look at the link

https://www.facebook.com/help/159096464162185?helpref=faq_content

They are closing my account in 1 week if I don't prove who I am. I will just have to let my account go.

[Best_man23]

6. Nope

Don't do it. Why does Facebook or any software company/website need your ID.

Call them directly. If they insist, my suggestion is get off FB.

Too many identity thieves to risk that.

[Equinox Moon]

11. I suspect FB has buddied up with the Federal Government.

[Generic Other]

12. They told me that too

I just changed my name and they let me stay! Weird.

[Equinox Moon]

14. Oooooo, I will try that.

I didn't know I could change the name I am using.

[HoneyBadger]

16. Your name is supposed to match the id that you upload

[Equinox Moon]

21. Nope. I don't play by the rules.

I get to have anonymity on the Internet. And NO WAY am I uploading my legal ID!

I am a privacy advocate.

[True Dough]

35. I knew it!

You are a new moon if I ever saw one!

[IamFortunesFool]

47. A true privacy advocate wouldn't be on FB

[Equinox Moon]

54. Yes, it is possible.

[IamFortunesFool]

55. No...it isn't

The very premise of social media runs against the intellectual idea of privacy. That you don't understand this only demonstrates how little you appreciate what true privacy is. You may exercise paramount discretion within your bubble of abstract digital projection, but by very definition, the existence of a social media profile of ANY type removes any reasonable expectation or experience of privacy. The very act of building your profile is a dismateling of true privacy and an embrace of community. If you were so concerned with privacy, you wouldn't even want a Facebook page.

[dixiegrrrrl]

37. The link in your OP has "changing your name" highlighted

Were you trying to change your name?

If so, I can understand why they want to make sure it is you who wants to make a change.

[Ms. Toad]

15. Nope. Check the terms and conditions of FB

https://www.facebook.com/help/112146705538576?helpref=topq

If you are reported as using a pseudonym, they will require you to prove you use the name on your facebook account in real life.

[HoneyBadger]

4. It is legit

They do this all the time. They want one and only one account associated with each real person. If you do not do it, you lose your account in a week.

[Skittles]

9. are you saying

people actually LOAD THEIR ID to that piece of shit site? WTF!!

[HoneyBadger]

13. Yes, assuming that they care enough to get a FB account in the first place

You will notice that most teens do not bother, but they have multiple Snapchat and Instagram accounts.

[KittyWampus]

18. the alternative is to simply have one account under your actual name.

and that "piece of shit" site is where a great many people are able to share various sorts of communications with each other.

Edit- you can put your security settings so that no one can even see anything on your page.

[RKP5637]

26. F FB, could not be bothered with that sh**! Big Brother! n/t

[KittyWampus]

31. I hope you pay everything in cash.

[RKP5637]

46. Limited exposure, no FB. Far too many pour their souls out on FB IMO. n/t

[Waldorf_]

33. Only if your account gets flagged. FB says you are allowed one account and it must be you.

So I make an account named Al Capone. It might go good for a few months but if it gets flagged, unless I send proof that my name is actually Al Capone then the account gets closed.

[NCTraveler]

49. Sounds like a good rule.

Also sounds a little invasive.

I imagine it would limit fake accounts used by people to stalk and harass while limiting spam as well. Interesting.

[Oneironaut]

7. Ewww... I would just let the account die.

I wouldn't want Facebook to have my ID. That's scary.

[Sunny05]

8. Attorney General's Office

in your state will have (should have) Facebook contact that the rest of us don't have. If this truly from FB, maybe AG could help. If not truly from FB, then Attorney General's Office still needs to know so can investigate. They may still contact FB.

In meantime, two FB options come to mind. One is, FB has a report problem option. You won't get direct contact, but it is still worth trying. Would include in the problem report the comcern of its being spam.

The other is to back up or download what is in your FB account, just in case. I think there is FB option to do this. May have to dig around in settngs and other options. But it'd be worth a try.

Those are just thoughts. But don't give out personal identifiers. I agree with others here ths is most likely spam and scam. I have never heard of FB doing this.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

[Sunny05]

23. ?!

I have no way idea what you are talking about.

[Sunny05]

27. Please clarify whether you meant that

for me or meant to reply to someone else. If you meant it for me, ... I have indeed gone thru AG for help with FB. It worked well. AG Office had contact info and got the matter resolved. FB resolved it, realized I was in a kind of vicious cycle w/o AG helping. So if you accidentally replied to me, then fine. Otherwise, don't falsely accuse me. 'Cause that's what your reply wrongly did.

[Ms. Toad]

20. Do a quick search. This is official facebook policy.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/29/facebooks-real-names-policy-is-legal-but-its-also-problematic-for-free-speech

https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2015/11/03/facebook-finally-changes-real-name-policy/

[Equinox Moon]

24. That's it "problematic for free speech"

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

29. Facebook is a private company; the concept of "free speech"

applies only to government action, not private companies. If you believe your speech is being restricted you can simply close your account, but Facebook (like DU) can restrict or control what happens on its site.

[Ms. Toad]

30. Yes and no. There is no right to free speech

in a private forum.

Free speech exists only vis-a-vis governmental action.

I agree it is a problem - and have fought more than one "real name" policy in private forums. There are any number of reasons to choose to use a pseudonym: women are disrespected online - using a gender neutral or male name elevates one's voice; people escaped from abusive relationships may be risking their lives using their real names; people with mental illnesses may want to talk about those without exposing themselves in their jobs or real-life relationships to stigma; same for LGBT individuals, etc.

[Sunny05]

25. Did you mean this for OP?

I am just answerng OP who i s concerned whether this is real and how to proceed. I am not the one who has had FB ask my id.

Asking AG help is safe. And I know from experience (though on different type of problem) that AG office can get through to FB directly in a way that we cannot. Given potential for spam/scam and given widespread id fraud, this is one safe way to go.

Also, given lack of direct way to contact FB, any other suggestion was way to try to get answer frm FB.

[Ms. Toad]

28. Nope - I meant it for you.

In response to:

Those are just thoughts. But don't give out personal identifiers. I agree with others here ths is most likely spam and scam. I have never heard of FB doing this.

You seemed skeptical that this is actually facebook policy. I posted links to two articles about the well-established real name and enforcement thereof on FB.

[Sunny05]

32. I was trying to suggest

options for this person to approach this carefully -- in case it is spam, a scam, an attempt by someone to pretend to be FB in order to steal identity. I suggested one option I personally have used (AG) and another to try to get a question in to FB.

At least, unlike another DUer, you didn't falsely accuse me of creating fake news. I absolutely did not. But of all I wrote, that is the one part you picked out. I just want the OP to be careful and check things out with what time they have. ID theft is common. FB account hacks are common. I logged on to DU out of concern to suggest options to try, at least, until they figure out what is going on. And you seriously question me while another slams me. I have never done anything to you or the other person who replied. And my heart was in right place sharing ideas.

[Ms. Toad]

34. My concern is that your post was inflammatory, in suggesting it was

an attempt at ID theft, or spam, when it is a long-standing policy by facebook (that has been the subject of considerable publicity). That fact is easily confirmed by a simple google search.


Nothing personal, but in this day of fake news, we all need to check things out with quick research before we react.

[Sunny05]

38. I dont know where to start ...

In case I guess wrong about whether the next point is bad to say, please understand I am attempting to clarify ..

Just in case -- because this is all I can think of at this point -- in case you think I am saying Facebook (FB) is trying ID theft -- no.

1. I referred to spam/scan and hacked FB accounts -- all due to criminals, not FB. I personally know several people who have had their FB accounts hacked. THAT IS NOT FAKE NEWS.
2. ID theft, in general, happens all the time. THAT IS NOT FAKE NEWS. Combine that with frequent account hacks and surprise request for ID -- and I couldn't help but think of possibility.
3. I will take your word for it about FB asking for IDs. Fine. I will not accuse you of fake news just b/c you know some things (FB id requests) while I know others (account hacks, getting AG help, using other FB channels when have problem).
4. Given what could be risk of hack, there was nothing wrong with my suggestion of asking for AG's help. They will very likely have a FB contact -- direct contact -- that the rest of us do not have. THAT IS NOT FAKE NEWS. If it were not for all the hacking and, generally, ID theft that occurs in this world, I would not suggest it. But it is one safe way to make sure.

5. ODDLY ENOUGH, your last statement about "need to check things out" IS EXACTLY WHY I MADE the SUGGESTIONS I MADE -- to encourage OP to check things out before blindly handing over ID. To make sure request is legitimate, truly from FB.

I said NOTHING inflammatory and am SHOCKED you have accused me of that. I just am hoping OP will be careful in verifying. I am SHOCKED over your saying I am spreading fake news. I said nothing false. I did offer my own experiences that do not include hearing of FB requesting IDs -- though, again, I have taken in that info from you. But that was still true statement -- I had not heard of it. I HAVE heard of spam, scams, many FB account hacks, and countless cases of ID theft.

I wonder how you would feel if someone accused you of the same, all b/c you assume it really is FB and not a hacker. The situation could be turned on you in same way, and I doubt you would like it. But no, you are the one who took honest attempt to help and twisted it into this mess.
What's inflammatory here are your false accusations.

[Ms. Toad]

44. Chill.

This post is exactly the same kind of over the top reaction I was responding to in the first place.

[Sunny05]

39. Honestly, I just can t get over your accusing

me of making inflammatory statement.
?!
I try to encourage OP to find safe ways to make sure this is legit, and "inflammatory" is what you got out of it?!

Others on this thread also wondered but if the request might be some sort if scam, too. I didn't see you go after them. ?!

Do you have me confused with someone else? Because I have never done anything to you. I don't recall interacting with you much if at all. Where is this coming from?!

[pinboy3niner]

36. Here's what convinced me it's legit, not spam...

FB instantly recognized me when I clicked EM's link to the Help Page. They added a message to me at the top of the page: "Hi (my real first name), how can we help?"

A phishing scammer would not be able to do that.

[Sunny05]

40. Cool.

This is good idea. Hope OP saw it.

And this is nice, level-headed response.

[Equinox Moon]

53. Thanks for the suggestions, Sunny05.

I did not find your suggestions inflammatory.

[Ms. Toad]

10. Facebook has always required people register in their own name

with a single account.

The don't generally enforce the rule - but will, when it comes to their attention that the name on your account is not the one you use in real life.

The most frequently challenged are trans individuals, many of whom start a facebook account in their new name before transitioning in real life.

https://www.wired.com/2015/06/facebook-real-name-policy-problems/

[AJT]

17. I am guessing so that people can't pretend

To be someone they are not.

[Equinox Moon]

22. Too bad FB. I won't play that way.

[TrekLuver]

50. Of course they can...and do...I put the smackdown on "henry the horse" some Trump loving

troll until he blocked me. But people make face accounts all the time..especially if you are a troll. How do you think people get cat fished right and left?

[grantcart]

41. I have to laugh at the concern here.

Users of FB are deeply concerned about their privacy while participating in an app that exercises both self absorbed stream of consciousness expression and state of the art exhibitionism.

If you want to remain a private person stay away from FB, you can see all the kitten videos without FB.

[Equinox Moon]

43. There are zero pictures of myself on FB, nor do any of my FB friends post pics with me.

There are multiple uses and reasons for having a FB page, or two, or three.

[grantcart]

45. That's not the point

FB is inherently at cross purposes with privacy but there is a continuous cycle outrage about minute changes in privacy policies of FB.

Being on FB and having a continuous outrage about lack of privacy is like being a Vegan and owning and Outback Franchise.

[Historic NY]

42. FB has been purging names and going after fakes news too...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaymcgregor/2017/02/06/facebook-has-one-chance-to-solve-fake-news/#27a6c1fa1f0b

[MineralMan]

48. Facebook is a real name social media venue.

That has always been their rule. Many people have signed up with aliases, but the sites rules require real names. I use mine there, and I only friend people I know. Only friends can see what I post on my feed. They all use their real names too.

There are plenty of places that allow anonymity, but FB isn't one of them. Their site. Their rules.

[TrekLuver]

51. I just signed in and they didn't ask me for anything.

[Croney]

52. I have two FB accounts.

AOL gives you seven email addresses so I used two, one with a fake name, and then abandoned it. Facebook keeps trying to get me back. I should just delete it but I might need an anonymous identity for something...sometime...

Edited to add: Whoa, I just clicked on your link and now I see why you're concerned. I never had to give FB any of that information on either account. WTF?