Technology

Facebook Gives Salman Rushdie Runaround Over Use of His Real First Name

Salman Rushdie, a famous Indian-British novelist who wrote The Satanic Verses and Midnight’s Children, had quite a day with Facebook and its real name policy.

Rushdie, whose full name is Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie, went endured this sequence of events: a deactivated Facebook profile; a request for passport; a reactivated Facebook with the name Ahmed Rushdie; and an apology and reinstated profile with the name Salman Rushdie.

Here’s his account via Twitter:

Facebook Changes Salman Rushdies Profile Name to Given Name Ahmed Later Apologized Rights SituationFacebook Changes Salman Rushdies Profile Name to Given Name Ahmed Later Apologized Rights SituationFacebook Changes Salman Rushdies Profile Name to Given Name Ahmed Later Apologized Rights SituationFacebook Changes Salman Rushdies Profile Name to Given Name Ahmed Later Apologized Rights SituationFacebook Changes Salman Rushdies Profile Name to Given Name Ahmed Later Apologized Rights SituationThe Atlantic reports Facebook’s statement of the whole ordeal:

This action was taken in error,” they say, “and Mr. Rushdie’s account has been reactivated with the correct name. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.” That would be in accord with their policy to let people go by their middle names.

Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities says “Facebook users provide their real names and information, and we need your help to keep it that way.”

Comments (22)

  • michiganmark
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:13pm

    Never have, never will!

    Report Post »  
  • sacwoodpusher
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:08pm

    I know that Salman Rushdie is supposed to be a great author……However, when I read Midnight’s Children, I developed another opinion….His style of writing is the exact opposite of Hemmingway. Salman Rushdie’s writing is chatty, to the point of distraction.

    Salman Rusdie is supposed to be difficult to read, but I had assumed that was because of his vocabulary…No, he’s difficult to read because he cannot get to the point!

    Report Post »  
  • Here in Texas
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 12:24pm

    I’m a college kid. All of my friends demand I get a facebook, but I always say no… When someone asks why, I explain that Zuckerburg is a creep and I don’t like my personal info out there for everyone to see and judge. Then, usually they say that they “know Zuckerburg is a creep”, but got one anyways (or they don’t know who he is at all). They don’t care about/understand the concept of not doing something because it’s against your personal beliefs. Facebook is lame!

    Report Post »  
    • Ok-Sure
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:33pm

      I agree. Facebook has deteriorated personal relationships and peoples ability to function. But if you are nervous about your personal info just check out Spokeo.com. I am still recovering from the aneurism. Sick Sick Sick. Searched my name and up pops up my HOME! MY MOTHER’S HOME. MY BROTHER AND SISTER’S INFO. The only person in my family not listed was my father, which is really insignificant because that info can be gathered from the info given in the search. I don’t know what to do about it but i bet you a button your info is on there to.

      Report Post »  
  • junkmaninohio
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:00am

    People who still use Face Book are idiots!

    Report Post »  
  • columbus_tony
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:50am

    What about Salbass Rushdie?

    Report Post »  
  • Deliriumtremens27
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:12am

    Maybe we should put facebook in charge of the dmv or ssi
    might get rid of a few illegals that way
    “what do you mean i have to prove who i a am? I need a passport?”
    SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on November 14, 2011 at 11:52pm

    Now it is just easier for the several hate groups that want to Kill Salman Rushdie to find him and make several pages about it. With not a peep from FB.

    Report Post » TJexcite  
  • Harvickfan29
    Posted on November 14, 2011 at 9:27pm

    I have an urge to watch Seinfeld now

    Report Post » Harvickfan29  
  • UNDECIDEDinCLEVELAND
    Posted on November 14, 2011 at 8:31pm

    Mark Zuckerberg got a tap on the shoulder at Harvard and his life changed forever.

    “How would you like to be the face of our new global citizenry database?” The man said from behind his aviator sunglasses

    “What do you mean?“ Zuckerberg inquired ”This project is just for me to see the pictures of the other freshman girls”

    “No. Your project will help us compile a database of all types of information on private citizens. The best part is that the sheeple will voluntarily provide the data. Mr. Zuckerberg, your project is now our project. Take our deal or your family will die”

    The only reason Facebook has not announced an IPO is because they want to hide those lucrative CIA contracts for as long as possible.

    Did you guys hear that the 22 yr old student who was experimenting with a “more private facebook” called diaspora just mysteriously died? hmmm

    Anything you put on facebook becomes the permanent property of the CIA.

    Im sure this PSA did wonders for my credibility. If you think I am crazy its just your normalcy bias kicking in..

    Report Post »  
    • Rajabear1
      Posted on November 14, 2011 at 8:55pm

      What in the world are you talking about? Conspiracy? This is probably one of the more credible, believable things I’ve heard today.

      Report Post »  
    • uncleherbert
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:46am

      The socialist public unions in your state are creaping in. Is not Mark a socialist?

      Report Post » uncleherbert  
  • David, the Constitutional Libertarian
    Posted on November 14, 2011 at 8:25pm

    My facebook account under the name Barry Soetoro was closed. They never gave me the option to send them any information about myself.

    What, they believe the president is the only one with that name? LOL

    There were about 5 other folks with variations of the One’s different personifications. They were all banned and closed down. Oh well, it lasted almost 2 years before they shut it down. People use to get sooooo mad when I posted under the name. I guess zuckerburg cannot take a joke.

    Report Post » David, the Constitutional Libertarian  
    • foobear
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 12:58am

      Mailing in a copy of your passport only works for people who are famous.

      I know people who have done it (because they have strange names), gotten them temporarily re-enabled, only to have them inexplicably shut down by Facebook later.

      Report Post » foobear  
  • CatB
    Posted on November 14, 2011 at 8:15pm

    I didn’t know that ANYONE outside of a government could “request” passport information. They would not have gotten it from me.

    Report Post »  
    • karen162
      Posted on November 14, 2011 at 8:24pm

      Its why I quit using Facebook. I had too many friends who were having their Facebook pages deleted over nothing, and then the only way they can get back on is to send Facebook a copy of their I.D. or Passport. That’s just a bit too much for me.

      Report Post » karen162  
    • 11
      Posted on November 14, 2011 at 10:34pm

      They can “request” anything they want. You don‘t have to provide it and they don’t have to provide you with their service. To put it bluntly: If you don‘t like that deal then don’t use their product anymore (like Karen).

      Report Post » 11  
  • lukerw
    Posted on November 14, 2011 at 8:11pm

    And, he thought the Koran was Satanic!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Heitah
    Posted on November 14, 2011 at 8:11pm

    the stupidity of facebook is often astounding

    Report Post » Heitah  

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