FACEBOOK UNMASKS ME

Well, that's a bit dramatic but it's still a fact. Facebook suspended my Incy Black account and insisted I provide my 'legal' name with a demand for evidence (passport ID etc), with which I duly complied to unlock my account. Hence, I'm now forced to comment as Lindsey Hughes, something I view as a gross violation of the right to be who I want to be.

My friends know me as Incy Black. That is who I am. On-LIne.

Off-line, I am known as Mum/Mummy/Ma by my children, and Lindsey Hughes by employers. Neither party necessarily wishes to be associated with Incy Black or the books I write, anymore than they would wish to know my cup size or colour of my knickers. I did not adopt a pen name for want of secrecy but more out of respect... A little distance can be healthy, not for me, but for them. I write about sick-freak killers, hot heroes (with questionable morals) who bed feisty heroines, I write about damaged people... Who the hell would want that as an association or endorsement?  My kids certainly don't. 

Respect, Facebook, show a little! Monitor content not names, because it is abusive content that hurts and offends and should be guarded against, not the use of pseudonyms. You employ sufficient brain-power to track those who offend back to their 'legal' identity, so write an algorithm for that and sanction accordingly, rather than stooping to bullying under the guise of 'integrity'. Incidentally, I see little integrity in making your complaint procedure so damn difficult to access. Provide a email which it doesn't take 20 minutes to find...and respond. Please, please respond! 

I don't have any objection to you leveraging ad revenue, Facebook, we all have to make a living, but let's not kid ourselves as to who is the bigger pretender here. You or me.

A good number of writers/authors could be caught in this identity net but don't panic yet. Think of the fun we shall have when we hold a Facebook party to celebrate our outing.

Final score in the integrity stakes.... FACEBOOK: 0   INDIVIDUALS: (Sorry, no one can count that high)

---