More than six months after it first launched, Google+ is set to finally allow users to create accounts using pseudonyms. Google announced that it planned to do so back in October in response to complaints from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and others, who said pseudonyms are necessary to ensure freedom of expression for people in danger of retribution for speaking out on controversial topics.
On Monday, Google Product Vice President Bradley Horowitz wrote on Google+ that the company will roll out its name policy changes this week. One change is that anyone will be able to add nicknames in addition to their real names. The more significant change, however, is that Google will also let people use pseudonyms instead of a real name, but there are caveats. Horowitz indicates that the pseudonym must be established and well-known in order to qualify for a Google+ profile.
"Starting today we’re updating our policies and processes to broaden support for established pseudonyms, from +trench coat to +Madonna," Horowitz wrote. Google may flag the name that a person intends to use and ask for additional information to confirm the person's identity, including "Scanned official documentation, such as a driver’s license" or "Proof of an established identity online with a meaningful following." This would seem to raise privacy problems for those who need pseudonyms for safety reasons, but a post in Mashable says "Google will destroy all documentation you send them once the account verification process is complete."
If Google flags the name that a user intends to use, there's no guarantee the pseudonym will be approved. This is partly to prevent impersonation. "We’ll review the information and typically get back to you within a few days," Horowitz wrote. "We may also ask for further information, such as proof that you control a website you reference. While a name change is under review, your old name will continue to be displayed. For new accounts without an old name, your profile will be in a non-public, read-only state during the review. Either way, you'll be able to see the status of your review by going to your profile."
The Google+ naming policy still says you must "use your common first and last name." The policy, as written today, discusses the process for adding a nickname to an existing profile but does not mention pseudonyms. Google also recently changed its account signup process to compel more users to sign up for Google+, but attempting to create an account with an obviously fake name can prevent creation of a Google+ profile.
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