The ride-sharing company Lyft flagged certain users' real names as offensive content, and told a number of individuals including Candice Poon, Cara Dick, and Mike Finger that they were ordered to get new names by December 21, or be banned from Lyft.
Hey @Lyft/@AskLyft,
Community guidelines are great and all, but it's ironic asking us for respect in the community when you flagged my REAL last name as a violation pic.twitter.com/py7ruDLcgn— Candice Poon (@candicepoon) December 19, 2019
The real-names brouhaha began when some Lyft users got a message from Lyft on Thursday that said their names violate the company's community guidelines.
Forgot to attach their response: pic.twitter.com/ENY5lqPUoK
— Candice Poon (@candicepoon) December 19, 2019
From Business Insider:
In the notification, Lyft didn't provide a reason for flagging the account beyond saying that the name "doesn't align with its Community Guidelines." Many of the Lyft members who received the prompt have names that could be mistaken for inappropriate content, such as Nicole Cumming, Cara Dick, and Dick DeBartolo. The notification told users that they must change their name by December 21.
Lyft said in a statement to Business Insider that the prompt was sent in error.
"Some members of the Lyft community were using names that were either inaccurate, offensive or both. In trying to fix the problem, we cast too wide of a net," a company spokesperson said. "We were well-intentioned, but our response clearly led to errors that we are working to correct, and we apologize."
Well, that's awkward.
My name – Nicole Cumming – has been flagged as inappropriate by Lyft. I'm not thrilled with my name either, but I had no idea it violated Community Guidelines. pic.twitter.com/qusvDTsAxy
— Nicole Cumming (@necummi) December 19, 2019
Email: We noticed the name on your Lyft account doesn't align with our Community Guidelines…..be respectful to help create a comfortable ride for all. We're asking you to update your display name by 12/21. My display name: Dick DeBartolo.
— Dick DeBartolo (@thegizwiz) December 19, 2019
Hey, @lyft, I realize it might be hard to believe, but it's really my name, and you need to get your mind out of the gutter. pic.twitter.com/wR7b8crlYr
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) December 19, 2019
I can't change my birth name for you?! @lyft pic.twitter.com/bfcfrXudTv
— hereforcontent (@Kikeyinks) December 19, 2019
Hey @Lyft/@AskLyft,
Community guidelines are great and all, but it's ironic asking us for respect in the community when you flagged my REAL last name as a violation pic.twitter.com/py7ruDLcgn— Candice Poon (@candicepoon) December 19, 2019
Hey @lyft, if I can't use my legal name what exactly would you like me to use… pic.twitter.com/rBeJ1hJ7B0
— Cara Dick (@caradick) December 19, 2019
Lyft thought some users' real names were offensive content. Candice Poon, Cara Dick, Mike Finger and others were ordered to get new names by December 21. [businessinsider.com]