"BYE BYE AVATAR" - FACEBOOK KICK OUT AVATARS

A lot of residents have been setting up Facebook accounts using their Second Life avatar names. This was even actively encouraged by Linden Lab.

But the use of fake names, avatar or otherwise is not allowed and has always been a part of Facebooks TOS:

Registration and Account Security

Facebook users provide their real names and information, and we need your help to keep it that way. Here are some commitments you make to us relating to registering and maintaining the security of your account

It would seem that Facebook are now actively enforcing their TOS in regards to fake names particularly avatar names and closing accounts that break their TOS. Some users of FB have reported that they have logged on to find their friends list has been reduced by over 100 names because of the enforcement.

There has been an outcry to this "avatar genocide" and some have even set up Facebook groups to organise people in protest.

Avatars & Humans United: Petition for Avatar Identities on Facebook

Linden Lab are talking about greater integration of social networking sites such as Facebook etc into the Second Life viewer. In Facebooks case this will only be easily achieved if individuals break the FB TOS and use their SL avatar name or they divulge their RL names and as a consequence their FB page. An interesting dilemma. Of course there is another alternative and that is not using FB in connection with SL at all. This would make any integration of FB into SL would be a waste of time.

There will be a lot of avatars being evicted from their Facebook homes over the coming weeks.

For those that have had their accounts removed the link below gives you more info from Facebook:

Facebook Help/ Account Disabled

FACEBOOK FAUX PAS!!

This is one reason to be VERY careful who you ad as a facebook friend!! And of course WHAT you say about those you have!!!!