Google+ allows pseudonyms, no word on role players
Originally published at The Preternatural Post. Please leave any comments there.
Good news! Google, it seems, has seen the error of its real name only policy and has amended the Name Policy for Google+ in the wake of criticism from rights groups and, presumable individuals and advertisers, to allow the use of nick names and established pseudonyms. The BBC reports these changes are already being rolled out.
Before role players break out the champagne and make a mass exodus from Facebook for the Google+ party. however, there are a few things they should be aware of. Most importantly, the Google+ Names Policy states:
Don’t pretend to be someone else.
Impersonation is a serious issue. Pretending to be someone else could cause your profile to be deleted.
Further:
Your profile and name must represent you as an individual.
Personal profiles on Google+ are meant to represent you, not someone or something else with which you are associated. Therefore, your name may not represent a family, business, avatar, gaming handle, or other group of people. [emphasis added]
The Names policy does not address role players and role play characters specifically. Certainly RPers, particularly those role-playing an original character can argue that their profile represents them as an individual. Unfortunately, the definition of role play is to pretend to be someone or something you aren’t so such profiles are unlikely to pass the first test. Inquiries to Google+ for clarification of their policy regarding role play characters received no response.
Two sides of Pam
Google+ has added an appeals policy, which puts it a set ahead of Facebook/ If your google+ account is disabled you can submit your name for review. They still require proof of your identity but that proof can be of an established online identity with a significant online following or references to an established offline identity in print, film or news articles as well as a government issued ID.
Right now Google+ Pages, like Facebook Pages appear to be the best choice for role players. They can’t even associate their RP characters with the real life selves as a nickname because Google+ has declared that:
Your nickname should represent you as an individual, and should not be used to imitate any celebrities or historical figures. Don’t use a nickname that is offensive, primarily consists of symbols, or is a complete sentence.
A battle for privacy and anonymity has been won but the war isn’t over. Not only does the question of the rights of role players to be social remain unanswered, so too does the plight of persons wishing to shield their identity to protect their personal safety. The stated appeals process only considers individuals with established identities and/or “significant online following”. It doesn’t address those who may face persecution for political, religious, racial or other reasons who just emerging as voices and have not yet had time to establish themselves.