A woman has changed her name to “Jemmaroid Von Laalaa” to match her Facebook pseudonym in a bid to get back into her locked account.
We all know someone who has done it. Or maybe you have yourself?
Made up a name for your Facebook account – either as a way to avoid undesirables from your past, or to simply give yourself a new identity.
But what if Facebook demanded verification? What would you do?
Well this woman has been forced to go to great lengths to keep her Facebook pseudonym.
Legally change her name.
Holistic therapist, singer and blogger, formerly known as Jemma Rogers, has had to change her name by deed poll to “Jemmaroid Von Laalaa” in an attempt to unlock her Facebook account.
The 30-year old from North London set up a Facebook account under the name Jemmaroid Von Laalaa in 2008 because she wanted to avoid getting too many friend requests.
But her not-so-unusual method of creating a Facebook account backfired when Facebook sent her a message asking her to prove it was a genuine name.
Unsure of what to do Jemma panicked and photoshopped a credit card trying to prove it was her real name.
But Facebook didn’t fall for the canny stunt instead locking her out of her account.
She told The Telegraph that she then fessed up emailing Facebook admitting it was a pseudonym and asking to be let back in. But she was told as they could not confirm her identity her account was to be suspended.
The Mirror reports that now desperate Jemma was forced to change her name by deed poll to her pseudonym.
The now, Ms Von Laalaa said despite changing her credit cards and her driving license to the name Jemmaroid Von Laalaa she was still locked out.
“I know I’ve been a completely moron, but Facebook are being ridiculous. I’ve been locked out of my account for five weeks now and have lost all of my photos, messages and precious memories.”
She told The Telegraph what she did wasn’t unusual.
“So many people set up accounts in fake names so random people can’t add them or so they don’t have to awkwardly decline requests from people they know but don’t want to be ‘friends’ with.”
She says she is now stuck with her “stupid name”.
“It’s ludicrous and I am embarrassed to tell people what has happened.”
The 30-year old says that the issue could be more serious for those who wish to remain anonymous for safety reasons.
“What if a victim of abuse wants to have Facebook but doesn’t want people to find her so sets it up with a pseudonym? Facebook have too much power and it’s actually quite scary.”
Jemma’s issue isn’t hers alone. One user who faced similar problem in June, Nadia Drake, wrote for Wired that Facebook’s “authentic name” policy was “dangerous and discriminatory” and had “demonstrably and repeatedly been used to target people who often already are marginalized and vulnerable.”
Drake reported that she was locked out of her account after she used her nickname Nads and couldn’t get back in despite her repeated protests and emails.
She wrote:
“Because the disconnect between one’s legal name and common name is a reality for many people, Facebook recently expanded the paperwork users can submit. The intent is to make this part of the verification process easier, while still enforcing Facebook-approved “authenticity.” The new documents include mail, medical records, and library cards—but at least one of them has to include your photo and your birthday.
My library card has a nice painting on it. What does yours have on it? Do you even have one?“
While Nadia Drake didn’t go to the lengths that Jemma Rogers had to (instead she relinquished her account) she did raise similar questions about how this policy “places the power with harassers—as if the Internet needed more of that” she says.
In the meantime the newly minted Jemmaroid Von Laalaa remains in limbo.
“I can’t believe I’m stuck with this stupid name,” she said “ And I still can’t get into my Facebook.”
Do you use a pseudonym for Facebook? What do you think of the “authentic name” policy?
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Top Comments
I am one of those people who kept myself safe from abusive family and a stalker ex, by using a pseudonym on Facebook. Unfortunately I was locked out, and as the friends I communicate with through Facebook, and the years of history on there, meant a lot to me, I had to end up using my real name - I emailed Facebook numerous times explaining the danger I was in - I even moved, went off the records, and changed my appearance in real life, I just baulked at changing my name completely - and they showed no mercy.
Facebook is not a safe place for the vulnerable.
I don't know how people get away with having fake names and fake accounts!
I know of many!
However,it was I who was in for a shock when I was locked out of my FaceBook Account,when I was using my correct name and details.
I was told by FaceBook Administration,that I had to upload and email them my Driver Licence or other formal identification,and my account had been suspended,pending identification.
I did what I was told,and within half an hour they had apologised and I was able to log back into my account.
I think it was family causing trouble for me,but I had nothing to hide.
I have since deactivated and deleted my account,as I don't think that it's fair that some can have multiple accounts and fake accounts and innocent people get harassed and victimised over nothing!
I hate FaceBook- always have and always will.