Facebook is currently testing a new feature that alerts users of instances of profile impersonation. Designed to help fight harassment on the Social Network, the feature has been reportedly released to 75% of its user base so far…
Soon users could be receiving notifications from Facebook informing them that another profile may be pretending to be them. While profile impersonation hasn’t been considered a massive cause for concern in the past, Facebook’s Head of Global Safety Antigone Davis believes that it is another important step towards making women feel safer using the network.
How does the feature work?
If Facebook detects another profile that uses your name and profile picture, it will now send through a notification highlighting the issue. These alerts will allow users to identify and confirm whether it is indeed another profile pretending to be you, or if it is not a cause for concern.
The reasoning behind the new feature
Facebook has been hosting roundtable discussions on how they can address concerns and issues surrounding privacy and safety, and have created a video to raise awareness in order to do their part in preventing forms of violence against women and girls online. Users have been encouraged to share their own video messages with the #HerVoice hash tag to help continue the conversation.
In relation to the new feature, Antigone Davis said this…
“We heard feedback prior to the roundtables and also at the roundtables that this was a point of concern for women. And it’s a real point of concern for some women in certain regions of the world where it may have certain cultural or social ramifications.”
Impersonation of other users is not allowed on the Social Network due to their real names policy. The policy has come under fire in the past by activists who believe it may expose users to danger and harassment – therefore it is unsurprising that Facebook have developed the new feature.
