Facebook Launches Pseudonyms and Verified Accounts
Facebook just launched a new feature that will now allow its "famous and very popular" users to verify their accounts and choose to display a nickname instead of their real name.
According to a report, Facebook says that these verified accounts will "gain more prominent placement" in Facebook's 'People To Subscribe To' suggestions. Hmmmm...this sounds a Twitter-like format to me.
It appears that the purpose of this new system is to discourage and stop impostors and scammers abusing other people's name on Facebook.
Apparently, verified accounts won't violate Facebook's policy that users display and use their real name, because your birth name will still be shown on your About page, it will only use to filter out impostors.
In addition, this new Facebook feature works like a one-way friendship for subscribing to say a public figure like a celebrity, politician or journalist, for example. There's report that Facebook is trying to get as many celebrities as it can onboard.
Furthermore, it's important to note that some users with a lot of subscribers will be notified to verify their identity and you can't volunteer yourself, Facebook has to choose you. If chosen, you'll have to submit supporting documents to Facebook to prove to them that you are who you say you are.
I have a feeling that this latest move from Facebook will spark another round of confusion for the social giant users just like timeline is.
It's going to be very interesting what the Facebook users reactions is going to be on this rather unexpected move from Facebook. Let the discussions and debates begin.
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