Google+ To End Real Names Policy

bs0d3 writes "After months of Google+ being unsuccessful at taking the edge over Facebook, Google announces a new plan. Google executive Vic Gundotra announced yesterday that they will be 'adding features that will "support other forms of identity,"' a major victory for security and privacy advocates. If Google+ gets rid of their 'real names' policy, they will finally be the social networking site that people will flock to when running away from Facebook." JWZ is a skeptic; he describes as "premature victory" (and much harsher things, too) any rejoicing in the announced policy change, writing in part "My guess? I'll bet they still require you to register with your 'real' name, but then they'll graciously allow you to have a linked nickname or two, meaning they're still fully prepared to roll over on you to authoritarian governments or advertisers at the drop of a hat."

Re:Finally..

[Desler]

The thing us that this policy wasn't why most people weren't leaving facebook to come to google+. In the privacy-nut nerd circles it might have been but most people using facebook are fine with giving out their real name.

Re:I'll tell you how to get more users...

[doctormetal]

Just a little more patience: https://plus.google.com/u/1/100940716892313727285/posts/2J1KCf3vv6K [google.com]
He should know as he is the Google Apps guy.

Re:Finally..

[Surt]

Google+ could possibly guarantee they would never sell you to advertisers. They could view it as a cost-saving measure against getting killed in the search space when facebook introduces peersearch next year.

Re:Never really enforced anyway

[EdIII]

I was rather intrigued, so I looked up the term "brony":

The term brony, meaning a male, older viewer of the tv programme “my little pony” and “my little pony – friendship is magic” who is generally either embarrased by his affections toward the pregramme, or openly flaunts it.
Can be used as an insult for a gay or overly effeminate boy/man..

Thank You. That made my day.