In the world of computers, the term "Null" is used to indicate the absence of any value. It also means "zero" in German. Due to security measures and data entry validations, some systems block the use of "Null" to prevent errors or missing information. This technical limitation has caused problems for people whose names include "Null," preventing them from accessing various services.
Nontra Null faced this issue in 2014 when trying to travel to India. The consulate tried several times to issue her a visa but failed because their system couldn’t process her last name, "Null." She also mentioned that unaddressed packages frequently arrived at her workplace, as the system recognized her name as a blank field.
Jan Null from California had trouble booking a hotel. No matter how many times he entered his last name, the system treated it as if nothing had been entered and sent him back to the first screen. He was only able to complete the reservation by entering a different last name.
Morgan Null from Pennsylvania faced issues when trying to cancel her internet subscription. A company representative told her they couldn’t terminate the account because "no last name was associated with it."
This unusual technical issue highlights how real-life names can clash with digital systems, leading to unexpected inconveniences.
Viewer Comments:
It probably depends on the software’s design, but I doubt they’ll change the system just for a few exceptions.
The name “Null” sounds pretty cool, but it definitely comes with a price.
The easiest solution seems to be for users to find a workaround.
Source:https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/null-last-name-computer-scientists-forms-f0a43b08
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