Pals,
Google's anti-anonymity naming policy on Google+ recently led to them telling me that I had to start using another name or they would remove me. So I saved them the trouble. What they did not make clear, but I have since discovered, is that I can no longer use Google Buzz.
Now I don't claim to know what Google's supposed rationale is for their policy. But whatever it is, I do not agree with it. I have been using this identity online for more than ten years and I am not anonymous to anyone who is capable of doing a Google search. But that is not the point. In this day and age the need for anonymity is essential to free expression regardless of whether anyone chooses to use it.
Google is on the wrong side here.
So: though it will be a pain in my ass of major proportions I will be transitioning myself away from Google. Entirely. I have used their products for years so this may take a few days or weeks. If I seem to have fallen off the face of the virtual earth you will know why.
I am still available in meat-form in the meantime.
Google's anti-anonymity naming policy on Google+ recently led to them telling me that I had to start using another name or they would remove me. So I saved them the trouble. What they did not make clear, but I have since discovered, is that I can no longer use Google Buzz.
Now I don't claim to know what Google's supposed rationale is for their policy. But whatever it is, I do not agree with it. I have been using this identity online for more than ten years and I am not anonymous to anyone who is capable of doing a Google search. But that is not the point. In this day and age the need for anonymity is essential to free expression regardless of whether anyone chooses to use it.
Google is on the wrong side here.
So: though it will be a pain in my ass of major proportions I will be transitioning myself away from Google. Entirely. I have used their products for years so this may take a few days or weeks. If I seem to have fallen off the face of the virtual earth you will know why.
I am still available in meat-form in the meantime.
Thanks.
Christian Noble
p.s. I just received this friendly little note from Google.
Your profile is suspended
After reviewing your profile, we determined that the name provided violates the Google+ Names Policy.
While
suspended, you will not be able to make full use of Google services
that require an active profile, such as Google+, Buzz, Reader, and
Picasa. This will not prevent you from using other Google services, like
Gmail.
If you changed your name in accordance with our policies, please submit an appeal and we will review your profile again.
If you believe that your profile has been suspended in error, please submit your profile for reconsideration.
Your
profile will be reviewed again and re-enabled if it complies with the
Google+ Names Policy. Reviews are usually completed within a few days.
We're sorry for the inconvenience.
