Google+ Demands Your Real Name: Pseudonyms Suspended

Google+ users who refuse to list their real names on the social network could see their accounts suspended, as the company pushes to relegate pseudonyms. Katie Watson,  Senior Manager of Global Communications & Public Affairs at Google, told New World Notes that the search giant is "working with people to change their profile to include their real name, and then use their 'avatar-based name' in the field that asks for other names" so as to restore profiles that have already been frozen, after some Google+ sign-ups chose to use online nicknames rather than their full name.

Google+'s profile system allows for a single real name, and then several "other names" along with a nickname. That allows searchers to locate friends they may know from usernames on online gaming services, Twitter or other platforms. However, rather than being optional as to how you use those fields, it seems Google is insisting that those looking for anonymity by not putting their real name online will not be able to use Google+.

"Google Profiles are designed to be public pages on the web, which are used to help connect and find real people in the real world. By providing your common name, you will be assisting all people you know – friends, family members, classmates, co-workers, and other acquaintances – in finding and creating a connection with the the right person online" Katie Watson, Google

Watson's argument is similar to that Google has already expressed over the impending deletion of private profiles. In explanation for that decision, Google suggested that "using Google Profiles to help people find and connect with you online is how the product is best used," and in short decided that it would not allow any other use outside of that. Those with their Google Profiles set to private after the end of July will have them automatically deleted.