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Ask HN: Facebook threatening to permanently delete my account. Who do I contact?
7 points by auganov on Dec 30, 2015 | hide | past | favorite | 6 comments
Yesterday I was blocked from facebook which seemed to be the regular "Real Name Policy" suspension. I submitted my ID. Actually 3 IDs including my passport.

But I've been told twice that "we can't clearly see your information". Which obviously wasn't the case. I was like whatever, I'll appeal and get it back eventually.

But after my third message I got told "It looks like you're not old enough to join Facebook yet. You must be at least 13 years old to have a Facebook account, even if an adult has given you permission to sign up. We'll need to permanently delete your account, but you can create a new one when you're old enough".

Now I'm over 20, which the documents I submitted clearly show. I might look a few years younger, but there's no way someone could reasonably assume I'm under 13.

The worst is, it seems like that's one of the few cases where they outright delete your account rather than disable (which is supposedly what happens to people with fake names etc.). So as far as my understanding goes I won't even be able to appeal the decision. I sent a few emails to addresses I could google out but almost all got bounced.

I'm at a complete loss. The account I've used for many years will be deleted any second and I can't do anything. I don't even want to use that site anymore, just let me tell my friends I'm switching to somewhere else lol. I have a suspicion that I'm being treated unfairly because of my unusual name or even targeted because of a non-standard gender option and/or the way it relates to my looks. In the end I have no clue. But I'm definitely being banned under a false pretense.

I have screenshots of the support thread if somebody's curious (not posting here cause privacy).



>I have a suspicion that I'm being treated unfairly because of my unusual name or even targeted because of a non-standard gender option and/or the way it relates to my looks.

Contact (tech) news publications if you have solid evidence [0] of this. Bad publicity will pressure Facebook more than you'd be able to. They'll run a sexism-in-Tech article centering around Facebook's treatment of non-standard genders and Facebook will reverse whatever issues you're going through in a jiffy.

May as well play the current political climate to your advantage. And I mean the above in a genuine effort to help - as it very much would and I don't see alternatives. Facebook controls Facebook. If they're going to delete your account or treat you unfairly, they will. But not if it means bad press. Give them bad press and your problems with them will go away.

[0] Who am I kidding, if there is even a possibility of it being construed this way.


UPDATE 2: GOT IT BACK, Thank you guardian angles of HN if thats you :P

UPDATE: I uploaded a screenshot of the support conversation. I obfuscated any info that would identify me. http://imgur.com/JB4XX4s (if you're wondering - the discrepancy in my name I'm talking about in the last message is merely a matter of an acute over one letter.)

@Nadya Yea, I've considered that. But I'm not sure if trading personal privacy for getting that account is a good deal. And it seems like there's been countless huge stories about people in the drag community. I just sent an email to one of the main people that were involved in these. The word on the interwebs is they have some special contact at FB. And I really hope I can handle it that way. Trying to find more potentially-helpful people.


I would suggest getting a lawyer, this is clearly discrimination and you have a civil case against Facebook.

Have the lawyer write a letter to the lawyers at Facebook with proof that you are over 20 and what your real name is, because Facebook is not taking you seriously.

Huffington Post did a lot of gender equality on Facebook before, you might want to contact them about your issues if they are based on non-standard gender issues.


Facebook was doing you a favour and you try desperately to stay on their platform. Are you insane?


Haha. Yea, that were my feelings the first few hours. But then you get a bit sad about all the tiny friendships that will die and that won't happen if you're not on there. It indeed is disconcerting how tied one's life can be to a single platform that can delete you any second. I want to say I'll diversify but I know it's gonna be tough.

BTW that's the apology I got (cannot edit so posting here, don't want to spam) http://imgur.com/igaVhvq


Well if you're satisfied with the outcome then I guess it's good.




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