Facebook introduces new nickname option when posting in Groups

Meta is giving all Facebook users the option of posting under a nickname in Facebook Groups. While the option to post anonymously already exists, the nickname option takes things a little further.

The use of a nickname still allows for a degree of anonymity, while simultaneously allowing for some expression of personality. Additionally, posting with a nickname makes it easier for other people to track things that have been posted by the same person.

Facebook shares details of the new feature in a help document entitled “Participate with a nickname in a Facebook group”: You can participate with a nickname in a Facebook group if the nicknames feature is available to your group, the group admins allow it or it was automatically enabled for your group, and it's available to you”.

It goes on to explain:

Nickname participation includes the ability to customise or set a nickname, and then post, comment and react in the group using that nickname. Posting, commenting and reacting with your nickname allows you to hide your main profile name and profile photo in connection with your post, comment or reaction from other members. Remember that your main profile name and profile photo will still be visible to admins, moderators and Facebook's systems.

A nickname may be assigned or suggested to you if you have not previously used a nickname in a group and choose to participate in that group with a nickname. You can use the assigned or suggested nickname, or you can update your nickname to one of your choosing. However, your nickname must comply with our Community Standards and cannot already be in use by another Facebook Groups member.

A profile picture for your nickname may also be assigned or suggested to you. You can use the assigned or suggested profile picture or select from the available profile pictures and color backgrounds for your nickname's profile picture.

Group admins have the option of enabling post approval which means that any posts submitted under a nickname will be subject to review and moderation. Facebook also shares the following:

You can customize a nickname (e.g. Stargazer22) to use when posting, commenting and reacting anonymously in a group. Once you've set a nickname, it will be your default way of participating in that group until you've changed it.

You have the option to use different nicknames in different groups. You will need to set your nickname in each group in which you want to use it.

Nicknames shouldn't impersonate anyone or misrepresent your identity, and they must follow our Community Standards and Terms of Service. If the nickname you would like to use is not available because it does not meet our Community Standards or it has already been adopted by another user, Facebook will suggest other options for your nickname.

The nickname function appears to provide a balance between anonymity and developing a recognizable online presence within a group. There have been requests from Facebook users for a long time for a way to post in groups without being made identifiable – something which can be important when posting about sensitive topics.

Meta makes a number of points in relation to privacy:

• If you participate with a nickname, your main profile name and profile photo will still be visible to admins, moderators and Facebook's systems, in order to help keep groups safe and in compliance with our Community Standards.
• Details you include in your nickname post or comment could reveal your identity.
• People may learn that the nicknames that you customise are associated with your main profile based on what you say and do. Using the same nickname in multiple groups could make it easier for people to discover the nickname's association with your main profile.
• Some post formats are disabled for nickname posts to protect you from inadvertently exposing your identity.

Facebook is far from being the first social media platform to offer such an option, with the likes of Reddit having supported it for some time. As noted by TechCrunch, this latest move stands in stark contrast to Meta’s previous hard-line “real name” policy which drew heavy criticism.