V is for this user's vendetta against Facebook

Everyone knows you on Facebook. The problem is, Facebook doesn't know you.

At least that was V Addeman's problem when he tried to sign up for the social networking site.

Recently laid off as a category analyst for convenience stores, Addeman, a 52-year-old grandfather from Costa Mesa who was already active on MySpace and LinkedIn, wanted another place to connect -- and reconnect -- with online friends.

Addeman says he's well aware that his first name -- a single letter -- is unusual. He picked it out himself. An aspiring writer, he thought it would look good someday on a book jacket. So he changed it legally.

But Facebook's automated system rejected his registration effort. Addeman complained but says he got the runaround from customer service. Then he was told he had to supply a valid government-issued ID.

He balked. "I shouldn't be forced to submit to additional verification if that's not a normal request for all Facebook users," he said. ...

... He eventually got an apology and an account from Facebook customer service: "In the course of our investigation we have determined that your use of 'V' does appear to be legitimate."

Facebook says it requires people to provide their real name and date of birth; the goal is to prevent users from impersonating others and to preserve the authenticity of the social network. So it blacklists names such as Donald Duck and George Clooney. Even Santa Claus had to prove his identity and couldn't exceed his friend limit.

And Facebook automatically rejects one-letter first names.

"I won my battle but I think the war is still going on," Addeman said. "I know I am not the only person in this situation."

Facebook says it has rejected or banned others because of their odd names, but very few for having one-letter first names.

"We want you to be who you are on Facebook," said Barry Schnitt, a spokesman for the Palo Alto company. "That requires some automated rules. Some of them are not perfect. But I would argue that requiring more than one letter for a first name is pretty darn close. It's an inconvenience for a few, but it makes sure that the site as a whole has the integrity of real name culture."

-- Jessica Guynn

Photo: "V for Vendetta." Credit: Juliana Malucelli / Warner Bros. Pictures

Comments

[Lilja Addeman]

A person's name, I believe, is important.
Of course I'd believe that.
My name is itself quite bizarre, hand picked in fact by the very V named in this article.
My dad has an unusual name.
But that is his fault.
What sets Facebook apart from Myspace is their attention to such details as a user's name.
I have far more respect for Facebook than Myspace.
Adults have Facebook accounts.
Teenagers, pretend celebrities and garage bands have a Myspace.
I think the hoops my dad had to jump through are unusual.
But I suggested he just give up and not get one at all.
I said that of course after realizing my dad could now see all of my pictures, posts and guy friends.
Now he has one and I'm embarrassed as all hell.
Isn't there a Facebook for parents?

[MELANIE.D]

We have been trying to set up a Facebook presence for our authorized campaign using the name VINCE FLAHERTY FOR SENATOR. But Facebook automatically rejected the name and they have not replied to numerous messages about how to submit, even though there are plenty of political groups on Facebook, such as the Democratic National Committee or STUDENTS FOR BARACK OBAMA , that aren't actual people.

Would you let me know if you find out how it can be done?

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=446793280