Google+ Profile Pages Can Be Suspended For Using A Pseudonym

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This story seems to still be shaking out, but the message here, Google is apparently suspending some Google+ profile ages if they are found to have been created with a pseudonym as opposed to a real world name. We suspect there is a bit of unnecessary hype in this story given the subject (Google+), however that being said, here is what we have seen thus far.

The details are coming by way of the New World Notes blog who have apparently been communicating with Google spokesperson Katie Watson, who is the Senior Manager of Global Communications & Public Affairs. Anyway, according to the details given, some users are seeing their accounts suspended due to having created it using a fake or online name as opposed to their regular real world name.

“If you created a Google Profile named after your avatar or another pseudonymous name, your account risks suspension. Instead, you should consider creating a Google Profile which is based on your real name, and if you like, add your avatar name and other non-real names in the About section of your profile.”

Shocking? Maybe for some, however if you ask us — this just goes back to the point of these being public profile pages. Heck, Google even stated that these pages were not allowed to be marked private after a certain date. Taking that into consideration and we are not all that surprised they are suspending some for not using their given names. Coming from Katie Watson;

“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.”

Then again, on the flip side, the folks over at the New World Notes blog managed to uncover some text on a Google Profile support page that describes the name as being something “that you commonly go by in daily life.” In that respect, we can understand how some who spend more time in the virtual world would be confused.

Either way and bottom line, we say use the name you want, just don’t be surprised if you try and log into your Google+ Profile page and come across this message;

“Your profile is suspended

After reviewing your profile, we determined that the name you provided violates our Community Standards.”