No, Belgian law prohibits using fake names on social media to deceive or mislead under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and GDPR, enforced by the Belgian Data Protection Authority (APD). Platforms must verify user identities, and impersonation risks fines up to €20M or 4% of global turnover. Exceptions exist for parody or artistic expression, but strict conditions apply.
Key Regulations for Using Fake Names on Social Media in Belgium
- Digital Services Act (DSA) Compliance (2024): Social media providers must ensure transparency in user identification. Fake names violating platform terms or Belgian law trigger immediate account suspension under DSA obligations, with APB oversight.
- GDPR Identity Verification (Art. 5 & 32): Misleading identities breach GDPR’s accuracy principle. The Belgian Data Protection Authority (APD) mandates platforms to implement “reasonable steps” for identity verification, including IP logging and device fingerprinting.
- Belgian Penal Code (Art. 443-445): Impersonation or fraud via fake names constitutes forgery, punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or €100,000 fines. Recent 2026 amendments expand liability to include platforms failing to act against repeat offenders.
Platforms must balance anonymity rights with regulatory demands. The APD’s 2025 guidance clarifies that pseudonyms are permitted only if non-deceptive and linked to a verifiable identity. Non-compliance risks administrative orders and judicial referrals.