4 May 2013

Data Baby tests limits of Facebook’s ‘real’ world

Facebook is the world’s largest social network, so of course the Data Baby would want to get involved. But can she maintain a profile as “Rebecca Taylor”? Channel 4 News has been finding out.

Data Baby tests limits of Facebook's 'real' world (G)

It is no surprise that signing up to Facebook was one of the first things the Channel 4 News Data Baby did.

The social networking site has over a billion monthly active users, 618 million of whom are active every day. So of course our 27-year-old digital persona would be a member.

However the company also has a strict policy when it comes to fake identities. Facebook requires members to use their real name “as it would be listed on your credit card, student ID”.

In fact cracking down on false personas appears to be a serious priority for Facebook. Last week Channel 4 News revealed how the company refused to take down a graphic video of a baby being abused. But as soon as the account which posted the video was suggested to be a fake, that was another matter: Facebook acted straight away in taking it down.

Rebecca vs Facebook

So how would the data baby fare in the world of Facebook?

Rebecca has a few friends (who, we should add, know that “she” is a Channel 4 News experiment) and has liked many-a-band and TV show. She has posted funny videos and random comments about not very much.

When it comes to having a “fake” name, the data baby is not that unusual. Many Facebook users don’t want to register their real name on a social networking site with so much reach. Users resort to nicknames, fake names or even just remove vowels or certain letters from their name: all against the terms of use.

One who changed his name told Channel 4 News: “I don’t want just anyone who happens to know my name to be able to find me or find out about me.

“If I posted with my real name people in work or people who have heard of me through a mutual friend would be able to find me and pretty much know everything about me. I generally tell people that I’m not on Facebook as a rule of thumb. Even if I plan on adding them as friends in the future.”

Facebook says no

But it was when the data baby tried to contact some users who had interacted with her page that she came into difficulty.

She sent an introductory message to a few users, each one slightly different to the last.

For the next few messages, she was offered the chance to pay for the privilege of having the message sent directly to the user’s inbox – rather than an “other” folder, which Facebook said is less likely to be checked.

But following another couple of messages, the data baby was logged out automatically and her identity was questioned.

Facebook may be “social” – but it doesn’t want Rebecca making friends.

Have you noticed any Facebook fakery or dubious virtual experiences? Let the Channel 4 News Data Baby project know via @datababyC4 or Facebook

Facebook fakery

A pin number was sent to the data baby’s phone (only one phone number per user is allowed) to verify her account. Luckily, our Rebecca is operated by real people and was soon back in the land of endless gossip and viral videos.

Facebook has previously acknowledged how difficult it is to keep track of “inauthentic” accounts – estimated to account for around 4 per cent of all users. “We are continually seeking to improve our ability to identify duplicate or false accounts,” reads the company’s quarterly report from June last year.

In this case, Facebook’s finely tuned spam sensors almost got the better of the Data Baby. Perhaps that is reassuring for the social network, which prides itself on keeping accounts authentic.

But in the days to come, we’ll be exploring more about what can get under the Facebook radar.