You may have heard some chatter at the moment that “Facebook has begun banning profiles” – and while this isn’t anything spectacularly new (as in Facebook routinely removes accounts that contravene its T&Cs) – there seems to have been a surge recently to which some have dubbed “ProfileMaggedon”
What is ProfileMaggedon?
This is just a made up name that some folks (largely folks who have been affected by the purge) to reference that ‘something of significance’ is happening. This of it perhaps similar to the ‘Y2K bug’. It’s the “Facebook Police” cracking down on people who have been using the platform in ways other than how it is permitted.
Do I need to worry about it?
No. Well, if you’re not doing anything wrong, no. Look, here’s the thing, every so often, a company whose service we use, enforces one (or more) of its rules – and a bunch of people shout about it. But the penalty is applied to those in breach of rules. If that’s you, then yes – worry.
If you’re doing things the way you’re supposed to – chill out, you’re fine.
What can I do to protect myself from having my Facebook profile deleted?
Stop breaking the rules.
That’s pretty much it.
The purge seems to be focused on people who are using a personal Facebook Profile to conduct business so you’re not likely to have a problem unless you’re doing that. But let’s be clear here, this is wildly different from me posting something on Hypestar’s Facebook Page, and then sharing it on my own profile.
I’m talking about people who don’t have/use a Page, and instead are using their Profiles exclusively for this [business] reason…..I’m looking at you, MLMers!
You may recognise them by their profile picture being a logo (or picture of something other than them) – you know the ones I’m talking about.
Related: You Need to Convert your Facebook Profile into a Page
What *are* the rules about what you can/can’t do on Facebook?
The following is an extract from the Registration and Account Security section in Facebook’s T&Cs –
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:
- You will not provide any false personal information on Facebook, or create an account for anyone other than yourself without permission.
- You will not create more than one personal account.
- If we disable your account, you will not create another one without our permission.
- You will not use your personal timeline primarily for your own commercial gain, and will use a Facebook Page for such purposes.
- You will not use Facebook if you are under 13.
- You will not use Facebook if you are a convicted sex offender.
- You will keep your contact information accurate and up-to-date.
- You will not share your password (or in the case of developers, your secret key), let anyone else access your account, or do anything else that might jeopardize the security of your account.
- You will not transfer your account (including any Page or application you administer) to anyone without first getting our written permission.
- If you select a username or similar identifier for your account or Page, we reserve the right to remove or reclaim it if we believe it is appropriate (such as when a trademark owner complains about a username that does not closely relate to a user’s actual name).
This is one of those ‘you don’t have to like it’ things. But we do need to remember that you’re using someone elses tool – if you don’t want to put all of your digital eggs in that one basket, look to branch out. If you’re going to continue breaching FB’s terms, definitely look to brand out because it would seem they’re cracking down.
If you have a Profile that should be a Page (i.e. you’re conducting business on it), check out the You Need to Convert your Facebook Profile into a Page article, it explains a bit more why and most important, how (it’s free to migrate)!
