Innocent Isis: Facebook demands proof of ID from terror group namesakes

The latest in a long line of people named Isis is having trouble with Facebook. Bristol (UK) woman Isis Thomas has found she’s persona non grata with the social giant.

Facebook is keen to erase any trace of ISIS (Islamic State, IS) and has put rules in place that are so stringent that other innocent bystanders have been caught in the crossfire.

Thomas, named after the Egyptian goddess of health, marriage, and wisdom, was asked to change her name after logging on to the site on Monday. She assumed it was referring her surname.

"I was on Facebook as Isis Worcester, because when I first signed up years ago I didn't use my real name, which is Isis Thomas, because of where I worked at the time,” she told the Bristol Post.

“I thought it was about the surname, so I just changed it to Isis Thomas. But that didn't work and I realised they had a problem with me being called Isis,” she added.

Thomas says Facebook messaged her with “Isis is not allowed” as it “didn’t comply with policy.”

Facebook asked Thomas for “proof of identity,” which she duly sent. But so far Facebook has been playing hardball - Isis fears satisfying their criteria may take a little more.

"I checked out other times this has happened, and found a woman called Isis who had to start a Twitter campaign because Facebook made her send in ID three times before they finally let her back on,” Thomas said.

Thomas is the latest in an increasing number of people and companies which have had to reconsider their branding in light of the emergence of IS.

The $7.2 billion valued Isis Pharmaceuticals said it was considering rebranding due to the name now having “so many negative connotations."

A US bookstore was also repeatedly vandalized due to it being called ‘Isis Books & Gifts’, even though they have been open for 35 years.

READ MORE: Denver's Isis Books & Gifts store - no relation to terror group - vandalized