diff --git a/src/auth.py b/src/auth.py
index 9e5cd7e58..2f92422af 100644
--- a/src/auth.py
+++ b/src/auth.py
@@ -116,6 +116,8 @@ def authorize_basic(base_dir: str, path: str, auth_header: str,
         nickname_from_path = path_users_section
         if '/' in nickname_from_path:
             nickname_from_path = nickname_from_path.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname_from_path:
+            nickname_from_path = nickname_from_path.split(':')[0]
         if '?' in nickname_from_path:
             nickname_from_path = nickname_from_path.split('?')[0]
     else:
diff --git a/src/collections.py b/src/collections.py
index d9e836978..29a7ee385 100644
--- a/src/collections.py
+++ b/src/collections.py
@@ -123,6 +123,8 @@ def get_featured_collections_feed(base_dir: str,
             path.replace('/@', '', 1).replace(FEATURED_COLLECTIONS_ENDING, '')
     if not nickname:
         return None
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     if not valid_nickname(domain, nickname):
         return None
 
diff --git a/src/content.py b/src/content.py
index 9aa15d998..bdf072789 100644
--- a/src/content.py
+++ b/src/content.py
@@ -1035,6 +1035,8 @@ def _add_mention(base_dir: str, word_str: str, http_prefix: str,
                         continue
                     follow_str = remove_eol(follow)
                     replace_nickname = follow_str.split('@')[0]
+                    if ':' in replace_nickname:
+                        replace_nickname = replace_nickname.split(':')[0]
                     replace_domain = follow_str.split('@')[1]
                     recipient_actor = \
                         _mention_to_url(base_dir, http_prefix,
@@ -1061,6 +1063,8 @@ def _add_mention(base_dir: str, word_str: str, http_prefix: str,
     possible_nickname = possible_handle.split('@')[0]
     if not possible_nickname:
         return False
+    if ':' in possible_nickname:
+        possible_nickname = possible_nickname.split(':')[0]
     possible_domain = \
         possible_handle.split('@')[1].strip('\n').strip('\r')
     if not possible_domain:
diff --git a/src/crawlers.py b/src/crawlers.py
index 9146d4595..a73faa629 100644
--- a/src/crawlers.py
+++ b/src/crawlers.py
@@ -265,6 +265,8 @@ def blocked_user_agent(calling_domain: str, agent_str: str,
         nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         # does this account block?
         if not block_dict.get(nickname):
             continue
diff --git a/src/daemon.py b/src/daemon.py
index 6671996eb..1976ecfa1 100644
--- a/src/daemon.py
+++ b/src/daemon.py
@@ -166,6 +166,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
         nickname = self.path.split('/calendars/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if not nickname:
             print(endpoint_type.upper() + ' no nickname ' + self.path)
             http_400(self)
diff --git a/src/daemon_get.py b/src/daemon_get.py
index 1ce0948d7..8e8aca043 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get.py
@@ -857,6 +857,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         shared_item_display_name = self.path.split('/shareditems/')[1]
         if not nickname or not shared_item_display_name:
             http_404(self, 112)
@@ -965,6 +967,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         page_number: int = 1
         if '?page=' in self.path:
             page_number_str = self.path.split('?page=')[1]
@@ -1045,6 +1049,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         page_number: int = 1
         if '?page=' in self.path:
             page_number_str = self.path.split('?page=')[1]
@@ -1108,6 +1114,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         page_number: int = 1
         if '?page=' in self.path:
             page_number_str = self.path.split('?page=')[1]
@@ -1170,6 +1178,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         page_number: int = 1
         if '?page=' in self.path:
             page_number_str = self.path.split('?page=')[1]
@@ -1211,6 +1221,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
             nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
             if self.server.debug:
                 print('Wanted collection for account: ' + nickname)
             base_dir = self.server.base_dir
@@ -1308,6 +1320,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
                     nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
                     if '/' in nickname:
                         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+                    if ':' in nickname:
+                        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
                     if self.server.debug:
                         print('Catalog for account: ' + nickname)
                     base_dir = self.server.base_dir
@@ -1418,6 +1432,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
                     nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
                     if '/' in nickname:
                         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+                    if ':' in nickname:
+                        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
                     if self.server.debug:
                         print('Wanted catalog for account: ' + nickname)
                     base_dir = self.server.base_dir
@@ -1763,6 +1779,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         episode_timestamp = self.path.split('?podepisode=')[1].strip()
         replacements = {
             '__': ' ',
@@ -1799,6 +1817,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if '?' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('?')[0]
         if nickname == self.authorized_nickname and \
@@ -1815,6 +1835,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         pinned_post_json = \
             get_pinned_post_as_json(self.server.base_dir,
                                     self.server.http_prefix,
@@ -1859,6 +1881,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         # return the featured posts collection
         get_featured_collection(self, calling_domain, referer_domain,
                                 self.server.base_dir,
@@ -1876,6 +1900,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         # return the featured posts collection item
         get_featured_collection_item(self, calling_domain, referer_domain,
                                      self.server.base_dir,
@@ -1891,6 +1917,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         # return the feature authorization stamp
         # See verification section of
         # https://codeberg.org/fediverse/fep/src/branch/main
@@ -2536,6 +2564,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
         access_keys = self.server.access_keys
         if self.server.key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
@@ -2564,6 +2594,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
         if not is_artist(self.server.base_dir, nickname):
             http_403(self)
@@ -2595,6 +2627,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if not is_welcome_screen_complete(self.server.base_dir,
                                           nickname,
                                           self.server.domain):
@@ -2619,6 +2653,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if not is_welcome_screen_complete(self.server.base_dir,
                                           nickname,
                                           self.server.domain):
@@ -2646,6 +2682,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if not is_welcome_screen_complete(self.server.base_dir,
                                           nickname,
                                           self.server.domain):
@@ -3402,6 +3440,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if self.server.hide_announces.get(nickname):
             del self.server.hide_announces[nickname]
         else:
@@ -3420,6 +3460,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         not_min = not is_minimal(self.server.base_dir,
                                  self.server.domain, nickname)
         set_minimal(self.server.base_dir,
@@ -3439,6 +3481,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
             nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
             access_keys = self.server.access_keys
             if self.server.key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
@@ -3492,6 +3536,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
             nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
             access_keys = self.server.access_keys
             if self.server.key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
@@ -3539,6 +3585,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
             nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
             access_keys = self.server.access_keys
             if self.server.key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
@@ -5682,6 +5730,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if not is_moderator(self.server.base_dir, nickname):
             http_400(self)
             self.server.getreq_busy = False
@@ -5727,6 +5777,8 @@ def daemon_http_get(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if not is_moderator(self.server.base_dir, nickname):
             http_400(self)
             self.server.getreq_busy = False
@@ -6575,6 +6627,8 @@ def _get_speaker(self, calling_domain: str, referer_domain: str,
     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     speaker_filename = \
         acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/speaker.json'
     if not is_a_file(speaker_filename):
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_blog.py b/src/daemon_get_blog.py
index 0acce39c5..3759637c7 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_blog.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_blog.py
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ def show_blog_page(self, authorized: bool,
     nickname = path.split('/blog/')[1]
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     if '?' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('?')[0]
     if '?page=' in path:
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_collections.py b/src/daemon_get_collections.py
index 0ea55f47c..9eccbc045 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_collections.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_collections.py
@@ -195,6 +195,8 @@ def get_featured_tags_collection(self, calling_domain: str,
     nickname: str = path.split('/users/')[1]
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     account_dir: str = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
 
     post_context = get_individual_post_context()
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_feeds.py b/src/daemon_get_feeds.py
index 17b6a3c7f..46323299f 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_feeds.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_feeds.py
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ def show_shares_feed(self, authorized: bool,
                     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
                     if '/' in nickname:
                         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+                    if ':' in nickname:
+                        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
                     if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                         access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
 
@@ -318,6 +320,8 @@ def show_following_feed(self, authorized: bool,
                     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
                     if '/' in nickname:
                         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+                    if ':' in nickname:
+                        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
                     if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                         access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
 
@@ -400,6 +404,8 @@ def show_following_feed(self, authorized: bool,
                     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
                     if '/' in nickname:
                         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+                    if ':' in nickname:
+                        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
                     if nickname and not authorized and \
                        hide_follows.get(nickname):
                         following = {}
@@ -522,6 +528,8 @@ def show_moved_feed(self, authorized: bool,
                     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
                     if '/' in nickname:
                         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+                    if ':' in nickname:
+                        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
                     if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                         access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
 
@@ -721,6 +729,8 @@ def show_inactive_feed(self, authorized: bool,
                     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
                     if '/' in nickname:
                         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+                    if ':' in nickname:
+                        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
                     if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                         access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
 
@@ -919,6 +929,8 @@ def show_followers_feed(self, authorized: bool,
                     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
                     if '/' in nickname:
                         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+                    if ':' in nickname:
+                        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
                     if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                         access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
 
@@ -998,6 +1010,8 @@ def show_followers_feed(self, authorized: bool,
                     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
                     if '/' in nickname:
                         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+                    if ':' in nickname:
+                        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
                     if nickname and not authorized and \
                        hide_follows.get(nickname):
                         followers = {}
@@ -1046,6 +1060,8 @@ def show_featured_collections_feed(self, authorized: bool,
         nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     if not nickname:
         return False
 
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_hashtag.py b/src/daemon_get_hashtag.py
index 64eec5165..583d5fd61 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_hashtag.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_hashtag.py
@@ -212,6 +212,8 @@ def hashtag_search2(self, calling_domain: str,
         nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if '?' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('?')[0]
     timezone = None
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_links.py b/src/daemon_get_links.py
index 2913d04dc..bb7065740 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_links.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_links.py
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ def edit_links2(self, calling_domain: str, path: str,
         nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
         if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
             access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_newswire.py b/src/daemon_get_newswire.py
index 7767acbaf..0a2bdde19 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_newswire.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_newswire.py
@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@ def newswire_vote(self, calling_domain: str, path: str,
         urllib.parse.unquote_plus(origin_path_str.split('/users/')[1])
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     print('Newswire item date: ' + date_str)
     if newswire.get(date_str):
         if is_moderator(base_dir, nickname):
@@ -142,6 +144,8 @@ def newswire_unvote(self, calling_domain: str, path: str,
         urllib.parse.unquote_plus(origin_path_str.split('/users/')[1])
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     if newswire.get(date_str):
         if is_moderator(base_dir, nickname):
             votes_index: int = 2
@@ -195,6 +199,8 @@ def edit_newswire2(self, calling_domain: str, path: str,
         nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
         if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
             access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_post.py b/src/daemon_get_post.py
index dd3a8998f..631f49daf 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_post.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_post.py
@@ -1301,7 +1301,7 @@ def show_notify_post(self, authorized: bool,
     post_id = post_id.replace('-', '/')
     path = path.split('?notifypost=')[0]
     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
-    if '/' in nickname:
+    if '/' in nickname or ':' in nickname:
         return False
     replies: bool = False
 
@@ -1441,6 +1441,8 @@ def show_conversation_thread(self, authorized: bool,
         nickname = nickname.split(conv_separator)[0]
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     timezone = None
     if account_timezone.get(nickname):
         timezone = account_timezone.get(nickname)
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_profile.py b/src/daemon_get_profile.py
index a2fd158bf..44ef99661 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_profile.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_profile.py
@@ -107,6 +107,8 @@ def show_person_profile(self, authorized: bool,
             nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
             if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                 access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
 
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_rss.py b/src/daemon_get_rss.py
index 7bbd27f5e..5afc213ff 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_rss.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_rss.py
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ def get_rss2feed(self, calling_domain: str, path: str,
     nickname = path.split('/blog/')[1]
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     if not nickname.startswith('rss.'):
         account_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
         if is_a_dir(account_dir):
@@ -153,6 +155,8 @@ def get_rss3feed(self, calling_domain: str, path: str,
     nickname = path.split('/blog/')[1]
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     if not nickname.startswith('rss.'):
         account_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
         if is_a_dir(account_dir):
diff --git a/src/daemon_get_vcard.py b/src/daemon_get_vcard.py
index 0fdf92774..d859d49a6 100644
--- a/src/daemon_get_vcard.py
+++ b/src/daemon_get_vcard.py
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ def show_vcard(self, base_dir: str, path: str, calling_domain: str,
     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     if '?' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('?')[0]
     if self.server.vcard_is_active:
diff --git a/src/daemon_post.py b/src/daemon_post.py
index ca2e4008c..adcd54bcd 100644
--- a/src/daemon_post.py
+++ b/src/daemon_post.py
@@ -886,6 +886,10 @@ def daemon_http_post(self) -> None:
             nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
             if not self.server.key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                 access_keys = self.server.access_keys
@@ -914,6 +918,10 @@ def daemon_http_post(self) -> None:
             nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
             if not self.server.key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                 access_keys = self.server.access_keys
@@ -1061,6 +1069,8 @@ def daemon_http_post(self) -> None:
                 nickname = nickname.split('?')[0]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
 
             if calling_domain.endswith('.onion') and \
                self.server.onion_domain:
@@ -1110,6 +1120,9 @@ def daemon_http_post(self) -> None:
                 self.outbox_authenticated = True
                 path_users_section = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
                 self.post_to_nickname = path_users_section.split('/')[0]
+                if ':' in self.post_to_nickname:
+                    self.post_to_nickname = \
+                        self.post_to_nickname.split(':')[0]
         if not self.outbox_authenticated:
             self.send_response(405)
             self.end_headers()
@@ -1281,6 +1294,8 @@ def daemon_http_post(self) -> None:
         nickname = self.path.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if nickname in self.server.block_military:
             if self.server.block_military[nickname] is True and \
                contains_military_domain(decoded_message_bytes):
diff --git a/src/daemon_post_confirm.py b/src/daemon_post_confirm.py
index 6760537c6..ff6515f30 100644
--- a/src/daemon_post_confirm.py
+++ b/src/daemon_post_confirm.py
@@ -121,7 +121,13 @@ def unfollow_confirm(self, calling_domain: str, cookie: str,
                 }
             }
             path_users_section = path.split('/users/')[1]
-            self.post_to_nickname = path_users_section.split('/')[0]
+            if '/' in path_users_section:
+                self.post_to_nickname = path_users_section.split('/')[0]
+            else:
+                self.post_to_nickname = path_users_section
+            if ':' in self.post_to_nickname:
+                self.post_to_nickname = \
+                    self.post_to_nickname.split(':')[0]
             group_account = has_group_type(base_dir, following_actor,
                                            person_cache)
             unfollow_account(base_dir, self.post_to_nickname,
diff --git a/src/daemon_post_image.py b/src/daemon_post_image.py
index 4c81ee8c8..2b62d32a4 100644
--- a/src/daemon_post_image.py
+++ b/src/daemon_post_image.py
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ def receive_image_attachment(self, length: int, path: str, base_dir: str,
         self.server.postreq_busy = False
         return
     self.post_from_nickname = path_users_section.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in self.post_from_nickname:
+        self.post_from_nickname = \
+            self.post_from_nickname.split(':')[0]
     accounts_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, self.post_from_nickname, domain)
     if not is_a_dir(accounts_dir):
         http_404(self, 13)
diff --git a/src/daemon_post_moderator.py b/src/daemon_post_moderator.py
index 48fc651a1..9415261c2 100644
--- a/src/daemon_post_moderator.py
+++ b/src/daemon_post_moderator.py
@@ -213,6 +213,8 @@ def moderator_actions(self, path: str, calling_domain: str, cookie: str,
                 nickname = get_nickname_from_actor(nickname)
             if '@' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('@')[0]
+                if ':' in nickname:
+                    nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
             if moderation_button == 'suspend':
                 suspend_account(base_dir, nickname, domain)
             if moderation_button == 'unsuspend':
diff --git a/src/daemon_post_person_options.py b/src/daemon_post_person_options.py
index 6d48cdcdc..f0bd5f387 100644
--- a/src/daemon_post_person_options.py
+++ b/src/daemon_post_person_options.py
@@ -930,6 +930,8 @@ def _person_options_dm(self, options_confirm_params: str,
             nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
             if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                 access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
 
@@ -1186,6 +1188,8 @@ def _person_options_report(self, options_confirm_params: str,
             nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
             if key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                 access_keys = key_shortcuts[nickname]
 
diff --git a/src/daemon_post_receive.py b/src/daemon_post_receive.py
index 7f36b926d..26ccc4f49 100644
--- a/src/daemon_post_receive.py
+++ b/src/daemon_post_receive.py
@@ -1861,6 +1861,8 @@ def _receive_new_post_process(self, post_type: str, path: str, headers: {},
         nickname = nickname_str.split('/')[0]
     else:
         nickname = nickname_str
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     if debug:
         print('DEBUG: POST nickname ' + str(nickname))
     if not nickname:
diff --git a/src/daemon_utils.py b/src/daemon_utils.py
index bf72e289c..8600e326f 100644
--- a/src/daemon_utils.py
+++ b/src/daemon_utils.py
@@ -785,6 +785,8 @@ def show_person_options(self, calling_domain: str, path: str,
             nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
             if self.server.key_shortcuts.get(nickname):
                 access_keys = self.server.key_shortcuts[nickname]
 
diff --git a/src/follow.py b/src/follow.py
index 43c3237d1..f6258b4a7 100644
--- a/src/follow.py
+++ b/src/follow.py
@@ -484,6 +484,8 @@ def get_following_feed(base_dir: str, domain: str, port: int, path: str,
         nickname = path.replace('/@', '', 1).replace('/' + follow_file, '')
     if not nickname:
         return None
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     if not valid_nickname(domain, nickname):
         return None
 
diff --git a/src/maps.py b/src/maps.py
index 40d8a29a3..b7c6a9ab7 100644
--- a/src/maps.py
+++ b/src/maps.py
@@ -1267,6 +1267,8 @@ def map_format_from_tagmaps_path(base_dir: str, path: str,
             nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
             if '/' in nickname:
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         return _hashtag_map_within_hours(base_dir, tag_name,
                                          hours, map_format,
                                          nickname, domain,
diff --git a/src/person.py b/src/person.py
index 46f15572a..04564f83f 100644
--- a/src/person.py
+++ b/src/person.py
@@ -1915,7 +1915,7 @@ def get_actor_json(host_domain: str, handle: str, http: bool, gnunet: bool,
             if '://' + domain + '/' not in original_handle:
                 return None, None
             nickname = original_handle.split('://' + domain + '/')[1]
-            if '/' in nickname or '.' in nickname:
+            if '/' in nickname or '.' in nickname or ':' in nickname:
                 return None, None
     else:
         # format: @nick@domain
diff --git a/src/speaker.py b/src/speaker.py
index 432703b0b..ee7faaf05 100644
--- a/src/speaker.py
+++ b/src/speaker.py
@@ -389,6 +389,8 @@ def get_ssml_box(base_dir: str, path: str,
     nickname = path.split('/users/')[1]
     if '/' in nickname:
         nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+    if ':' in nickname:
+        nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
     speaker_filename = \
         acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/speaker.json'
     if not is_a_file(speaker_filename):
diff --git a/src/utils.py b/src/utils.py
index a7b994331..62b6ad04b 100644
--- a/src/utils.py
+++ b/src/utils.py
@@ -605,7 +605,7 @@ def has_users_path(path_str: str) -> bool:
         if '://' + domain + '/' not in path_str:
             return False
         nickname: str = path_str.split('://' + domain + '/')[1]
-        if '/' in nickname or '.' in nickname:
+        if '/' in nickname or '.' in nickname or ':' in nickname:
             return False
         return True
     return False
diff --git a/src/webapp_person_options.py b/src/webapp_person_options.py
index 581834c7f..1dbb43162 100644
--- a/src/webapp_person_options.py
+++ b/src/webapp_person_options.py
@@ -208,6 +208,8 @@ def html_person_options(default_timeline: str,
         nickname = origin_path_str.split('/users/')[1]
         if '/' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('/')[0]
+        if ':' in nickname:
+            nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
         if '?' in nickname:
             nickname = nickname.split('?')[0]
 #        follower_domain, follower_port = get_domain_from_actor(options_actor)
diff --git a/src/webfinger.py b/src/webfinger.py
index 4f5b71633..1e9d62b18 100644
--- a/src/webfinger.py
+++ b/src/webfinger.py
@@ -305,6 +305,8 @@ def wellknown_protocol_handler(path: str, http_prefix: str,
             if '/' in nickname:
                 command = nickname.split('/')[0]
                 nickname = nickname.split('/')[1]
+            if ':' in nickname:
+                nickname = nickname.split(':')[0]
             domain_length = len(domain_full)
             path_str = domain_and_path[domain_length:]
             return http_prefix + '://' + domain_full + \