Famous fall victim to Facebook 'land grab'
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AN internet 'land grab' has resulted in the identities of high-profile figures such as Roy Keane and Ryan Tubridy being assumed by other people on the web.
Sinn Fein was among the first to register online when the Facebook social networking site launched a new feature for personalised internet addresses this weekend.
Under the scheme, groups and individuals can register their name so it is easier for people to find them on the phenomenally popular site.
However, there is nothing to stop people taking on different identities and holding those of high-profile figures online.
Following the launch of the new application on Facebook, the name of RTE presenter Ryan Tubridy -- www.facebook.com/ryantubridy -- was quickly registered by the website Nomadesk Ireland.
Meanwhile, a US football fan called Al Foote from Austin, Texas, has registered the name of Roy Keane so that when people log on to www.facebook.com/roykeane, they will arrive at his profile.
This leaves open the possibility that the personalised sites of celebrities may be sold back to them at some point in the future, which was a frequent occurrence when the internet was first launched and domain names for some major corporations were quickly bought up by individuals who then passed them on at large profits.
The massive popularity of Facebook, which has some 200 million users worldwide, led to a huge rush in the early hours of Saturday morning for celebrity addresses to be snapped up.
Leaders
And while Sinn Fein was quick to grab its small patch on the internet, neither Fianna Fail nor Fine Gael have placed their mark.
In Britain, the Conservative Party leader David Cameron registered his name, as did Buckingham Palace.
However, none of the main party leaders here -- Taoiseach Brian Cowen included -- have done so, leaving their addresses open to be taken by others.
Therefore, any high-profile figures who do want a personalise Facebook identity may have missed the boat.
For example, the name of Ireland's rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll has already been taken as has Lions captain Paul O'Connell. And Joe Duffy's profile led to that of a young man from New Jersey, while Pat Kenny is a high school student in Chicago.
- Shane Hickey
