Facebook have allowed the creation of secondary profiles to use in groups.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Here’s what the new Meta guidelines say:
You can create additional Facebook profiles from your main profile. You’ll create a profile name and @username for each profile:
- These names don’t have to match the name that you use in everyday life, but they must follow our Community Standards and policies for additional profiles.
- The @username is unique and will appear on the additional profile.
People may learn that the profiles you create are connected based on what you say or do. Learn about things to bear in mind when you use additional Facebook profiles.
Our Community Standards apply to all profiles. If you go against our standards from any of your profiles, it will affect your Facebook account.
Meta help guidelines.
Here’s why you shouldn’t.
The CIPR code of conduct says you should deal honestly. Pretending to be someone else isn’t.
Deal honestly and fairly in business with employers, employees, clients, fellow professionals, other professions and the public.
CIPR Code of Conduct
If you work in the Civil Service the Civil Service Code says you should work honestly:
‘Honesty’ means being truthful and open. This includes only using resources for authorised public purposes, and not misleading ministers, parliament or the public.
Civil Service Code of Conduct
If you are NHS:
We are honest about our point of view and what we can and cannot do.
NHS Core Values
If you think you can do it and not be spotted you’re taking a risk. Ask yourself what the public will make of communicators making dishonest representations online?
A new online news outlet Bournemouth Observer tried the fake profile route and it diodn’t end well. If that’s for a new operation just imagine what would happen if a public organisation did so.
Facebook groups are an important part of the landscape. Build relationships with admins. If needs be, build a list of admins’ email addresses in case of an emergency.