As social networking sites grow in popularity people are waking up to the potential damage that can be done by someone impersonating them online. The latest in a long line of victims is The President of Guyana, who has asked police to investigate who is pretending to be him on Facebook.
Last year a Computer Engineer was sentenced to three years in prison after setting up an account as the King of Morocco’s brother. He was later pardoned and released.
Sometimes the problems are caused not by someone stealing your identity but by spurious online personas damaging your credibility. In July a businessman was awarded £22,000 in damages when a former school friend created a series of fake Facebook entries which malliciously attacked him and his business.
Steve Webb, Member of Parliament for Northavon, Gloucestershire, had his legitimate Facebook account disabled following complaints that his profile was a fake. His friends set up a “Steve Webb is real!” Facebook group demanding that his profile be reinstated. He was back online 36 hours later.
The issue of online trust has been a major hurdle for online retailers to address, and now is emerging as a concern for individuals. How do I convince you that I am who I say I am online?
