Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez reports in the San Francisco Examiner how the international debate over Facebook’s “Real Name Policy” has local consequences for the Bay Area. When organizers for what is probably the world’s best known Pride event faced a contentious vote over whether to allow Facebook space in the parade, a vote which fell 5 to 4 in favor of Facebook.
“Banning the social media giant would have been a bold move that might have put pressure on Facebook to change its stance on its controversial “authentic name” policy. However, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg called Gary Virginia, the board’s president, and perhaps other board members to discuss the issue, according to documents obtained by The San Francisco Examiner.”
Minutes of the spirited meeting suggest that the brief calls from Zuckerberg implied donations or threats to withhold such if the vote decided against them.