[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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