No, using fake names on social media in Portugal violates the Lei de Serviços da Sociedade da Informação (LSSI) and the Regulamento Geral sobre a Proteção de Dados (RGPD), enforced by the Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD). Platforms must verify user identities, and impersonation risks fines up to €50,000 under the Código do Consumidor. Exceptions exist for satire or privacy, but these require documented justification.
Key Regulations for Using Fake Names on Social Media in Portugal
- Mandatory Identification: The LSSI (Decreto-Lei n.º 7/2004) requires social media platforms to collect and verify user identities, prohibiting anonymous profiles unless explicitly permitted by law.
- RGPD Compliance: The CNPD interprets fake names as potential data falsification, triggering Article 5(1)(c) of the RGPD, which mandates accurate personal data processing.
- Consumer Protection Risks: The Código do Consumidor (Decreto-Lei n.º 24/2014) penalizes deceptive practices, including impersonation, with administrative sanctions up to €50,000 for repeat offenses.
Platforms like Meta and X must align with Aviso n.º 2023/12 from the Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ANACOM), which mandates transparency in user profiles. Since 2026, the Lei de Transparência Digital will further tighten verification protocols, requiring biometric checks for high-risk accounts. Legal exceptions—such as whistleblower protections—demand prior approval from the CNPD or a court order.