Blizzard to display real names on forum

[Valentine]

http://kotaku.com/5580585/blizzard-forums-will-soon-display-your-real-name

Apparently, this has already started taking place through the "realID" lists, etc. But according to this, all posts done on Blizzard's forums will no longer display screen names, but they will display the actual name you give upon signing up.

Personally, I think they're sacrificing privacy to deal with a few trolls, and I don't think it's a great approach. As someone whose had an e-stalker of sorts, I'm really hesitant about displaying my actual name as it tells two things I don't tend to reveal on mass websites: my gender (feminine first name) and my surname which is rare and distinct.

Yay or nay?

[Donth8]

Nay. Are the trolls really bothering them that much?

Hopefully this won't become a standard for all forums.

[Valentine]

Evidently, there are a lot of butthurt users on WoW. I doubt real*fake* names are going to do anything but excite the /b/tards.

[Adminassassin]

I actually feel like this violates an Internet Privacy Law but maybe thats just wishful thinking. I think it's a horrible idea. Besides, if I don't know John Doe, is that gonna stop me from being a d*** to him anymore than if he was John123?

[Valentine]

I think the idea is that if your real name is online, your personal reputation would be at stake. Everything you've ever said and done on the internet under your name is a mouse click away for anyone to research. What I think would happen is the reverse of what they intended. Example: If you pissed me off, I'm looking up your Facebook, your Xanga, your phone number, your email, and anything else I feel like posting on 4chan. That's just stalker galore for any kind of weirdo.

BUT! That's beside the real point now! I have more news!

http://kotaku.com/5583405/blizzard-scraps-plans-to-display-real-names-in-forums

Blizzard scraps plans to display real names in forums!

[Adminassassin]

Well...um...there we go. Good....

[Guest]

.

[Valentine]

I'm amused at how fast this came and went. The issue caused such a huge uproar about how this would only further enable stalkers and trolls (I wasn't serious about my example. I wouldn't do that, but I know people who would). I'm glad to see this die so soon. I would never intentionally post with my real name like that for fear of /b/tards and stalkers.

I don't know that Internet privacy is something very well upheld. It's nearly impossible to have total anonymity on the internet these days. My biggest dislike are places like MySpace and Facebook. I've become a complete not-fan of being photographed, because people ignore that little thing called consent before uploading your image to their website. :S

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