German regulator orders Facebook to allow pseudonyms


  • TECH
  • Wednesday, 29 Jul 2015

Pseudonyms allowed: Facebook cannot arbitrarily decide to remove users' aliases and use their real names against their wishes, ruled a German court. Photo: Reuters

BRUSSELS: Facebook may not prevent its users from using fake names, a German privacy watchdog said, in the latest privacy setback for the US company in Europe. 

The Hamburg data protection authority, which is responsible for policing Facebook in Germany, said the social network firm could not unilaterally change users' chosen usernames to their real names, nor could it ask them for official ID. 

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Tech News

Tech giants agree to child safety principles around generative AI
What next for TikTok as US ban moves a step closer?
Translation platform DeepL launches AI assistant for crafting texts
Preview: ‘Dune: Awakening’ takes fans to Arrakis and forces them to survive a wasteland
Young Europeans are spending money in the metaverse
This exoskeleton can boost your physical capabilities
This AI-focused chip is powered by light
Study warns users about health information on TikTok
Apple renews talks with OpenAI for iPhone generative AI features, Bloomberg News reports
Google plans $3 billion data center investment in Indiana, Virginia

Others Also Read