Facebook has drawn criticism for its mandated use of real names on its social network, but to satisfy demands of anonymity – and take on Snapchat – the New York Times reports that the company plans to release a stand-alone app that lets you chat without using your real name.
“The company is working on a stand-alone mobile application that allows users to interact inside of it without having to use their real names, according to two people briefed on Facebook’s plans… The point, according to these people, is to allow Facebook users to use multiple pseudonyms to openly discuss the different things they talk about on the Internet; topics of discussion which they may not be comfortable connecting to their real names.”
Facebook’s main site has been the long-established web destination to establish your “real” online identity and connect with family and friends from the real world, but it appears that the company is ready to experiment with alternatives that could coster more open discussion among users. It’s unclear though if the new app will interact with the Facebook app, how you’ll find friends, or if it will require a Facebook login to use.
Leading the project is Facebook project manager Josh Miller, who joined the company when it acquired his startup Branch. His team has been working on the project in different forms for the last year.
Facebook declined to comment on the rumor and a possible release date wasn’t mentioned, but it will be interesting to see how Zuckerburg who combats the new wave of spam and trolls once real name protections are gone.
Source: NYT
