In local community FB posts I’m seeing replies from people with usernames like DaringAlligator2732 and ConcernedHomeowner14048. These don’t seem like the “real identity” facebook usernames; they kind of feel like anonymous or sometimes even randomly generated names. How and why does that happen? Has it been happening for a long time?

  • slazer2au
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    9 days ago

    Bots.
    Need to drive that engagement now that fb has pretty much hit the limit on organic user growth.

  • Thatoneguy@sh.itjust.works
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    9 days ago

    Pretty sure this is just a new way of anonymous posting. I run my local FB community page and it recently asked me if I wanted to allow “nicknames” in the group. Assuming that’s what these are it just allows people another way to not associate their real name with what they are saying.

  • amio
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    9 days ago

    Apparently a new twist where you can be anonymous, because Facebook just wasn’t cancer enough as it was

  • Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca
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    9 days ago

    looks like the exact same system that Reddit used for their trashy usernames too

    wouldn’t be surprised if it’s all the same database

  • scytale@piefed.zip
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    9 days ago

    That’s an option for people to post/reply anonymously. It has its uses, like if you want to ask an embarrassing question on a public group. But as anything else. obviously it can be abused.

  • Aeri
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    8 days ago

    To be fair all the real usernames have dried up on sites that have like a billion users. How the fuck am I supposed to register a new account on a website when every possible permutation of anything I would actually want as a username is already claimed?