Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Facebook user has had her account deleted in error by the social networking site because she shares her name with Prince William's fiancee.
Kate Middleton, 29, a help desk administrator, says she is desperate to organise her forthcoming birthday party but is struggling after her profile was removed.
Miss Middleton, who lives in the aptly named Kingsway, Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, has a boyfriend who shares a name with the famous TV presenter Jonathan Ross, but his account has not been blocked.
The 29-year-old told the Sun: "I was absolutely gobsmacked.
"It was ridiculous because they obviously thought I was trying to impersonate Prince William's Kate Middleton.
"But the profile picture is of me - and I clearly look nothing like her. Besides, William's Kate is not even on Facebook."
Miss Middleton added that she was trying to organise her 30th birthday party and was unable to contact many of her friends.
Facebook does not allow fake names or for people to operate under a false identity and its security system removed Miss Middleton's account in error, said a spokeswoman for the social networking site.
She added: "We review thousands of pieces of content every day and take action to ensure Facebook remains a safe and trusted environment for everyone.
"Of course, we make an occasional mistake. This is an example. When this happens, and it's brought to our attention, we work quickly to resolve the issue."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments