I'd begun to think I was making too much of the fact that someone has stolen my profile on Twitter. Well, copied it, to be precise, into her profile, to make it look as though she has written my book, owns my blog, etc.
Or perhaps she hasn't. Maybe it was a mistake, on her part or Twitter's. That's why I haven't named her - I'm not interested in making any unwarranted accusations. I've tweeted her politely several times and asked her to desist. And I sent a formal complaint to Twitter several days ago.
Now Twitter have replied - and apparently it's fine to nick someone's profile and pretend you have written their books, own their website, etc. For her to claim to be me, in fact, intentional or not. I just need to 'keep an eye on things' and report back if they get 'any worse'.
Hmm. So now all I have to do is to get it confirmed in writing from Twitter that I'm allowed to claim I wrote 'Harry Potter'. Or Ulysses, perhaps. No, I'll go for Madame Bovary. Or Revolutionary Road. Or Room...
Dicey, you'd think. I don't really want to pay a huge fine or go to gaol. But given what they said to me, I don't see how they can object.
Of course, someone else might. There is such a thing as identity theft. Anyone know any lawyers?
8 comments:
I suppose that's why a lot of celebrity Twitterers call themselves "The Real Such and Such". At least she isn't trying to use your name which could make things very complicated. I'm thinking of opening another account as "The Fake Sandra Patterson" - what d'ya think?
Yes, it could be worse! But if anyone searches for 'Coping with Chloe' they could come up with her and her four tweets, one of which is mine and one of which contains the 'f' word. Not a problem for me, but I do write children's books!
And yes, you should :)
It all sounds so bizarre that someone is able to do this, and that Twitter can't take action. It makes you question whether anyone on there is real!
It's weird that someone can get away with this - even weirder that they'd want to try - what are they hoping to gain?
You can practically guarantee that if you started impersonating someone on Twitter, you would be made an example of and booted off faster than you could tweet!
Well at least you aren't kidding yourself and have actually written the book.
Thanks for the comments, folks.
Certainly is bizarre and weird... especially when my book concerns a ghostly twin.
Starting to wonder whether I did write Chloe - maybe she is real and I am the ghost (!)
Have been tempted to say I wrote Harry Potter, but you're right, Chippy, I'd be caught and booted off or sued or summat...
I think you should claim you wrote the bible, not many of the authors still around to sue you :P
It's ridiculous that Twitter have said this, but at least you have it all in writing! Get it sent to some papers for a bit of free publicity! They'd love the comparison of the book and the real story.
Good thinking, Steven. Though there are bits of Leviticus I don't especially want to be associated with!
And yes... plans are afoot...
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