[LINK] Google+ update

Roger Clarke Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au
Tue Jan 24 11:43:14 AEDT 2012


Google has re-affirmed its 'real names' policy - and tried to pretend 
that allowing alternative nicknames is a major breakthrough:
https://plus.google.com/109895887909967698705/posts/4eTnrAPoP6B

They've also demonstrated a remarkable lack of understanding of the 
risks of identity fraud, and of the realities of authentication.

They've declared that you can argue against their rejection of a name 
by providing "information to help confirm your established identity. 
This could include:
-   Scanned official documentation, such as a driver's license
     [what a lovely pool of useful images and data that will create]
-   Proof of an established identity online with a meaningful following
-   References to an established identity offline in print media,
     news articles, etc."
     [I wonder if Stil(gherrian) is covered by that one?  And, if so,
     what approach they take to authenticating any given person to that
     offline and online identity]


Along the way they've declared this:
>The vast majority of users sail through our signup process -- in 
>fact, only about 0.1% submit name appeals.

The claim the other day was that Google+ was up to 90m users:
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/287829,google-clips-exchange-backup-service.aspx

So 90,000 people have had their names rejected, and have had to appeal.


-- 
Roger Clarke                                 http://www.rogerclarke.com/
			            
Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd      78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
                    Tel: +61 2 6288 1472, and 6288 6916
mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au                http://www.xamax.com.au/

Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law               University of NSW
Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University



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