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Google and the Beginning of the End of Online Anonymity

So as I was about to reply to a comment on one of my YouTube Videos and I was suddenly presented by a popup box from Google asking that I start using my Full Name for use on YouTube instead of my username.  Thankfully I was able to say, “No” since I am known as ElitheComputerGuy on YouTube and not by my real name.

 

 

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I’m not sure I have an opinion on this new option yet.  Since I have a brand name that I am promoting I am against using my full name, but if I was an average person I don’t know how my viewpoint would fall.

 

One way or the other though it does appear that the major web companies are starting to make a concerted effort to eliminate anonymity online and be able to track everyone as real world users.  I’m sure this will start numerous conversations and arguments for both sides.  As a technologist I’m going to be keeping an eye on how this progresses because I know I will get a huge amount of questions from friends, family and fans alike.

 

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Eli the Computer Guy (428 Posts)

Eli the Computer Guy has 16 years experience in technology being the guy to fix "it". From the Army, to building out new satellite offices for the enterprise, to running his own shop with 9 full time employees Eli has real world experience with almost all systems that technicians will be working with. Eli has 1600 hours of formal technical beyond his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice on technologies ranging from Avaya PBX/ Audix to Microsoft, Red Hat Linux, MySQL, Cisco and much more.


  • Troy

    I can see where they are going with this, there was a local news story about this movement to get rid of anonymous user names in an attempt to make people behave better online since they cant hide behind a user name. I am however completely against it. people need to be able to express their thoughts on tough topics without fear of people backlashing on them personally for a different view

  • Al Green

    I’m sure that before long your fingerprint or DNA will provide law enforcement or any one else access to every site you ever looked at, every comment you ever made and any other thing you would rather keep people in the dark about, public information. Just look at the phone hacking scandal: could you imagine prosecution solicitors or potential employers had access to every web site you have ever gone to either as a visitor or a member? Well forget about it!! Those with nothing to hide must be desperately boring… Hands up those of you never “Had a quick look”.

  • Superman

    I found out about this the first time with Google+ it wanted to use my full name – no thank you.
    I am on gmail but I am able to use a screen name.

    I am not on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn Google+ or ANY social networking sites.

  • shrtyBELEAVE!!!

    The internet is forever. There is no off switch. Every thing can be combed over and scrutinized and always could be. Our anonymity is simple transparency under mounds and heaps of data. Major companies are trying to expedite mining that data for well, any purpose they see fit. We all sign up for that every time we log on. The same is true every time we walk out of our house, we’ve just assumed we had privacy on the internet and “now” were concerned. come on sip the cool aid and enjoy the show or stop using there products and live in the woods… sounds lame huh? Than accept Google as your lord and savor or not, like it makes a difference. The only real advantage we have as consumers is we reflect directlly the bottom line of the companies we consume from. SO demand privacy and you will be presented with a “privacy sensitive” product, youll take a deep breath and forget about it. This process is repeted millions of times a day, just please oh please dont beleave that privacy acually exist other wise you just investing more and more money into the illusion that keeps these companies thriving. Google isnt bad, its just the internet is never going to be private, i’m sorry.



















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