Facebook updates its contentious 'real name' policy

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Facebook has said it has updated its 'real name' policy after it faced criticism from several activist groups.

Facebook on Tuesday made a statement which says, “The policy itself isn't changing”.

Also read: No more photo auto-sync feature on Facebook

The company's 'real name' policy requires users go by their authentic name when on the social network rather than a pseudonym. However, after facing criticism from certain communities such as LGBT and Native Americans that they were uncomfortable with the policy as they feared trolling and harassment, the social networking site will relax some rules.

As per the new changes, if a user report a Facebook profile with a 'fake' name, they'll have to provide additional information like why they are filing a report etc.

Also read: Reddit app for Android ready for private beta testing

This has been done to dissuade people from frivolously flagging profiles, which locks the targeted user out of their profile until they can confirm they are who they say they are.

(With Agency inputs)