(no subject)

[scarfman]

Today (9/3) when I tried to access my FaceBook feed after clicking around in the Settings I was, unusually, made to log in. Then I was involuntarily diverted into some kind of security verification process which I'd never encountered before but which informed me I would not be able to view my account till I completed it. The first step was to establish a means for security verification, the only option made available to me for which was to upload a photo. I discovered I was uncomfortable participating in an online social forum which demanded this suddenly out of the blue, so I quit the browser tab.

At this time I intend not to access the FaceBook account in my name any more. I'd have to access it to delete it so I won't, so it'll still be there. But I won't be reading my feed or posting. FaceBook was always far from my primary social forum anyway. You can find me on (in approximate ascending order of primacy and usage) here on Dreamwidth, on Twitter at HeroOf3Faces, in email at scarfman@iglou.com, on Tumblr at heroofthreefaces, and at my own website arthurkingoftimeandspace.com

Comments

[sabremeister]

I have never come across a fb security-verification log-in that required a photo. First thought is that you somehow got diverted to a scam. Second thought is that it may be a regional thing (Europe vs USA). Could you not upload your drawn avatar?

[scarfman]

It's already been suggested to me that it's a scam from someone else who's never seen FaceBook do that, but I don't see how when I only reach the page after entering my login credientials at my own bookmark for FaceBook. If it's a scam then all the websites who say it's secure logging in at their own site instead of at a link followed from a suspected phishmail are wrong.

Uploading my drawn avatar is something I could try, but I wouldn'ta thought it's complex enough to be mistaken for a photo and to get me through. But if I do try it I'll get back to you and let you know what happens.

[scarfman]

You know what, I looked again and it's not just asking for a photo, it's asking for a photo ID. I've seen people describing this: Somehow I accidentally initiated the procedure for recovering your account if you forgot your password. It definitely isn't anything hinky but I'm not comfortable sending FaceBook my driver's license so I'm going to let things stand as they are.

[sabremeister]

Most sites just ask for a phone number for account recovery. How and why do they need your driving licence to recover your account? You won't have given them any of the information on it when you opened the account, and they can't check it against the DMV database to prove it's you or not you.
I would suggest a) contacting a consumer protection group concerning this attempted invasion of privacy, and/or b) sending them a fake or specimen.

[scarfman]

Those are good ideas but I'm not that invested.

[jesse_the_k]

How creepy!

BTW, there's been some changes to how Dreamwidth interprets @ signs.

To create:

scarfman -- heroof3faces -- heroofthreefaces

Type:

@scarfman -- @heroof3faces.twitter -- @heroofthreefaces.tumblr

[scarfman]

Cool. I'll edit my entry. Thanks!