Facebook just launched a new authorization requirement for people who manage Pages with a large US audience. ????????

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

If you manage such a Page, you will be asked to complete an authorization process in order to continue to post. Facebook says this will make it harder for people to administer a Page using a fake or compromised account. This is a very good thing, of course.

HOW LARGE IS “LARGE”?

Facebook does not specifically explain the size of a large audience. It could be 100k, 250k, 1M+? Regardless, if a Page you manage fits the criteria, Facebook will let you know. See next section.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY PAGE IS AFFECTED?

If Facebook has identified a Page you manage with a large US audience — regardless of where in the world you reside — you will see a notice at the top of your News Feed as well as a banner at the top of your Page to begin the authorization process. It only takes a few minutes to complete.

If you do see this authorization notice, you must complete it by the deadline shown. Otherwise, you will not be able to post on your Page if you don’t complete the process by the deadline.

WHAT IS THE AUTHORIZATION PROCESS?

You’ll simply be asked to secure your account with two-factor authentication and confirm your primary country location. Securing your account with two-factor authentication makes it much more difficult for your account to be hacked/hijacked by a third-party.

NOTE: All Facebook users – not just Page admins – should set up two-factor authentication as a best practice for security. There are several two-factor authentication methods, the two main ones being 1) Text message (SMS) codes from your mobile phone and 2) Login codes from a third party authentication app. See more at https://www.facebook.com/help/148233965247823

WHEN DOES THIS NEW AUTHORIZATION START?

The launch day was August 10th, 2018 for people that manage Pages with a large US audience. If you/your Page fit the criteria, you will see the notice from Facebook at the top of your News Feed and the affected Page(s).

Enforcement will follow shortly this month. (Meaning, if you don’t complete the authorization process, you’ll be blocked from posting on your Page until you do complete the process.)

IS THIS FOR OTHER COUNTRIES, OR ONLY THE UNITED STATES?

Facebook states, “…starting with…” people that manage a Page with a large audience in the US. This means other countries and eventually worldwide are likely to also have this authorization requirement in the coming months and into next year. Stay tuned for updates.

WHY IS FACEBOOK INTRODUCING THIS CHANGE?

Facebook is making an effort to increase the accountability of Pages and wants to ensure that Page management is authentic and more transparent. In other words, that fake profiles, compromised accounts, and bad actors cannot set up and administer Pages that may influence a large audience. The new authorization process is one of many steps Facebook is attempting to make to prevent election interference, fake news, and other negative impacts.

IS INSTAGRAM AFFECTED?

Yes. In the same announcement on August 10th, Facebook states: “And in the coming weeks, Instagram will introduce similar features which will allow people to see more information about accounts with large audiences.”

Your thoughts? Is Facebook doing enough to prevent bad actors, fake news and election interference? Let’s hope so.

However, as TechCrunch states, “Though it’s still possible that those aiming to disrupt democracy and seed division will eventually find workarounds for these measures at some point in the future.” Sigh. ????https://tcrn.ch/2vAkCFG

See Facebook’s official announcement here:
https://www.facebook.com/busi…/…/new-authorization-for-pages

and this ‘one-sheeter’
https://www.facebook.com/…/on…/page-publishing-authorization

See also this article on Social Media Today:
http://bit.ly/2MmGQ7C

Feel free to share this. Have questions…..reach out!