Google+ faces thorny online identity issues

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20078671-264/google-faces-thorny-online-identity-issues/


In an article from 2011 on CNET, an interesting issue was addressed concerning online identity. As social networking continues to grow, Google had decided to make their own version known as Google+ in late 2011. What makes Google+ stand out from other social networking sites is that it requires people to use their actual real-world names.

The article explains that people who choose not to disclose their real name on the account will have their account suspended. “After reviewing your profile, we determined that the name you provided violates our community standards,” said Google. This is also a problem because as the article says, although people’s names may not be the same as on their birth certificates, often they are a real persona. The main issue this article is concerning is the right to privacy. Social networking thrives because there are many options as to who you want to connect with and how you wish to do so.

I found this article to be interesting because not only do I not have a Google+ account but I wasn’t aware of these factors that come with having an account. As we learned in class, there are three elements to where our sense of identity comes from; one being “virtual identity”. This type of identity was the last to be added to this theory of where our identity comes from as a result of social networking being developed.

The cons that come along with having this account and having to put your real information is that there are people who prefer to remain anonymous or not want to have their real name and contact information for many reasons. These limitations prevent people from freely expressing themselves or remaining true to their identity. Many people prefer this identity because it is more easily relatable because you can remain anonymous if you wish to do so. Also, people who have been rejected in real life due to their sexual orientation, race, class, religion particular interests or for whatever reasons, choose to live through their virtual identity because they have a better chance at finding an online community in which they can relate to and therefore be a part of and “fit in”.

Like other social networking sites, Google+ has continued to thrive but perhaps it hasn't caught up with facebook as a result of their privacy issues.