DutchNews.nl - Got a short surname? Facebook may ask you to prove you are real

Several Dutch users of the social network site Facebook have been blocked from using their accounts because their surnames are too short, newspaper Metro reports on Monday.

The paper says users have been banned as part of Facebook's efforts to stop people using fake names online. The company has asked people to send a copy of their passport to the US so their identity can be checked.

For example, Sem and Pieter Eg have both been stopped from using their accounts, pending ID verification. Sem has sent a copy of his passport to Facebook headquarters while brother Pieter has given himself a new, fake surname to get back on line.

Kaat E, who has used a short form of her surname on Facebook for three years, has also been told to prove she is who she says she is. Kaat too has adopted a fake surname to get around the rules.

Facebook spokesman Damaris Beems told the paper the checks, which are carried out automatically, are for security reasons.

Privacy experts told the paper users should be very wary about sending copies of their passports to Google in the US because of the different privacy standards. 'It is unsafe to do so,' internet law expert Axel Arnbak told the paper.

Readers' Comments

Axel Arnbak = Interesting to read his ideas on twitter or follow video. But "internet law expert"? Not yet.

By bob socks | 9 July 2012 9:47 AM

Perhaps someone should start an event to get as many FB users as possible to change their name for a day in protest.

Nevermind the Netherlands...How about users with east Asian names?

By CW | 9 July 2012 9:47 AM

It seems that this is another data collection on behalf of the American government. Why have people fallen for this "trap" ?. Why do these people feel it is necessary to use Facebook anyway ??.

By Karl H | 9 July 2012 10:18 AM

Facebook = Ciabook or even Avidbook.How this site is allowed in Europe considering we do still have some privacvy laws is beyond me.They breach eveyone of them..god damm you can't even close your account.

By jason buttle | 9 July 2012 10:23 AM

Since 911 2001, America & other governments have the perfect excuse to spy on social networking sites. Since Google is controlled by the government, then so is Face Book & others. It's okay to use your real name, but none of the info you upload is 100% private, including private messages. All the info is stored indefinitely on servers & can be used against you.

There is no law that states you have to use your real name. The info that you upload is your own choice.

Typically:
"I bunked off school yesterday & experimented with mum's microwave & next door's cat, coz I got bored."

By The visitor | 9 July 2012 10:49 AM

No, I don't use my real names online. I have multiple personality disorder, none of my personalities use our real names online.

By Jan Modaal | 9 July 2012 11:35 AM

I would just stop using FaceBook if they asked me to send my passport. They are going too far!

By M. Ki | 9 July 2012 1:25 PM

There is NO WAY I would EVER send a copy of my passport to the US for ID purposes.

By Woods | 9 July 2012 3:43 PM

Wow, you guys are really paranoid. "Google is controlled by the government"? Ciabook?

I'll agree that their privacy policies are not as strong as they could be, but let's not start wearing tin foil hats here.

By Ex-expat | 9 July 2012 4:08 PM

Why facebook cares people are using real name or not? I have two letters surname and many Chinese people do.

By C.Lu | 9 July 2012 4:16 PM

Karl, personally it's how I can most easily keep in touch with my son, my friends from home, my friends here and scattered family members. Maybe you don't, but you should keep in mind we're not all like you.

I also have AdBlock installed, eliminated tags on my photos as well as dates, and don't use my own face as a profile photo. Now considering the phony name.

By CW | 9 July 2012 4:35 PM

Same here, I use a shortened version of my full name, it is also part of my E-mail address.

By AlMorr | 9 July 2012 4:51 PM

Fb wont allow the name of my hometown they keep saing it doesn't exist , it's ASSEN cap of Drenthe facebook people are crazy and i dont give any true info to them they sel your info ive heard

By roelie haveman | 9 July 2012 5:12 PM

Seems facebook is working with the governemnt. Why Do you need to verify who I am?

I had an account that I lost thanks to them because my surname "Bjorn Bjorn"

All I can say now is, F*k facebook.

I hate the fact that they are going to introduce facial recognition.

blah blah blah.. my comment is useless here :)

Just saying i hate facebook. My reasons are to numerous to mention.

By Fayzebook Youzer | 9 July 2012 6:07 PM

First people complain about Facebook safety protocols being not strict enough. Now everybody complains that they are too strict.

It's never right.

By Martin | 10 July 2012 1:23 AM

This is about Facebook, not Google.

By Benito Camelas | 10 July 2012 8:43 AM

Martin, safety protocols and privacy intrusion are two completely unrelated things. It's funny that a couple of years ago Facebook was dying to attract new users, and now it has the luxury to block them for arbitrary reasons, and demand to gain more of their private information.

And yes, its obvious that Facebook will never get it right, until we force them too, either by not using it or through legal action. There is just too much at stake.

By Dimitris | 10 July 2012 9:39 AM

A couple years ago M. Zuckerberg made the statement "I can't belive how much information these dumb f*cks are giving me" Maybe he is still trying to see if all FB uses are still as dumb and if they are getting dumber.
Best tip I ever got: Never put anything on the internet that you wouldn't put on a poscard.

By Al | 10 July 2012 11:35 AM

Just Face Book??

http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/10-reasons-why-nothing-you-do-on-the-internet-will-ever-be-private-again

:P :(

By The visitor | 10 July 2012 4:29 PM

If Facebook never asks for additional ID for names like James Bond, Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, they are really wasting their time. We all know US Homeland Security stopped profiling passengers long ago. Two Australians had no problems with their boarding passes with fake names Terry Wrist - Terrorist and Al Kyder - Al Qaeda. Don't worry they stop everyone with the name Osama and Obama. Who even uses Facebook anymore.
Al : So true, Never put anything on the internet that you wouldn't put on a postcard.

By LexLuthor | 11 July 2012 12:13 AM

As a US citizen, I have problems w/ most of our "security" procedures. The biggest risk is when poorly paid workers at the bottom use access to personal data for illegal purposes. NG!

By sk davis | 14 July 2012 5:02 PM