WCSPoll: Will you post on forums under full name?
No (3717)
79%
Yes (573)
12%
Will create battle.net account with false name (442)
9%
4732 total votes
Yes (573)
Will create battle.net account with false name (442)
4732 total votes
Your vote: Will you post on forums under full name?
(Vote): Yes
(Vote): No
(Vote): Will create battle.net account with false name
On July 07 2010 10:45 Kennigit wrote:
Mod Warning:
We get it. 69 pages of thread and the poll in the OP says that this is a bad idea. Don't need to post pictures of peoples families, homes etc just to prove a point. Consider this public warning.
Mod Warning:
We get it. 69 pages of thread and the poll in the OP says that this is a bad idea. Don't need to post pictures of peoples families, homes etc just to prove a point. Consider this public warning.
On July 08 2010 23:07 ta2 wrote:
How to actually make a difference - by complaining to people with power. I have tried to gather as many different places as possible to complain to, please help by adding more. I am not aware of any restrictions in complaining to bodys outside your area of residence (i.e. a Korean could complain to the Canadian authorities), indeed I am sure they are please to hear from anyone about possible violations of the law.
The important things to mention are;
+ Show Spoiler [Links] +
GLOBAL
ESRB
Contact Privacy Online: https://www.esrb.org/privacy/contact.jsp
Complain about the violations of privacy on the Blizzard forums.
EUROPE
PEGI (Pan European Game Information)
File a complaint or abuse report: http://www.pegionline.eu/en/index/id/264
USA
Federal Trade Commission
FTC Complaint Assistant: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
1-866-653-4261
Contact Information: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/contact.shtm
UK
Information Commissioner's Office
Privacy & Electronic Communications - when and how to complain: http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/privacy_and_electronic_communications.aspx
Complain about the violations of privacy on the Blizzard forums.
Data Protection – when and how to complain: http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/data_protection.aspx
Complain about the fact that your personal details were connected under a false pretense, and that at the time you were not made aware that it would be used for the purpose of Real ID
Contact Information: https://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/contact_us.aspx
CANADA
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Contact Information: http://www.priv.gc.ca/contactUs/index_e.cfm
How to actually make a difference - by complaining to people with power. I have tried to gather as many different places as possible to complain to, please help by adding more. I am not aware of any restrictions in complaining to bodys outside your area of residence (i.e. a Korean could complain to the Canadian authorities), indeed I am sure they are please to hear from anyone about possible violations of the law.
The important things to mention are;
- the fact that you were not made aware that your name would be used for Real ID when you originally provided it
- the fact that your are forced to reveal your name in order to participate in a paid-for service (you can't post on forums w/o a subscription)
- the fact that this process is discriminatory against people with religious, foreign or unusual names
- the fact that you cannot change the name on your account without significant effort
+ Show Spoiler [Links] +
GLOBAL
ESRB
Contact Privacy Online: https://www.esrb.org/privacy/contact.jsp
Complain about the violations of privacy on the Blizzard forums.
EUROPE
PEGI (Pan European Game Information)
File a complaint or abuse report: http://www.pegionline.eu/en/index/id/264
USA
Federal Trade Commission
FTC Complaint Assistant: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
1-866-653-4261
Contact Information: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/contact.shtm
UK
Information Commissioner's Office
Privacy & Electronic Communications - when and how to complain: http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/privacy_and_electronic_communications.aspx
Complain about the violations of privacy on the Blizzard forums.
Data Protection – when and how to complain: http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/data_protection.aspx
Complain about the fact that your personal details were connected under a false pretense, and that at the time you were not made aware that it would be used for the purpose of Real ID
Contact Information: https://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/contact_us.aspx
CANADA
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Contact Information: http://www.priv.gc.ca/contactUs/index_e.cfm
http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=25626109041&sid=3000
The first and most significant change is that in the near future, anyone posting or replying to a post on official Blizzard forums will be doing so using their Real ID -- that is, their real-life first and last name -- with the option to also display the name of their primary in-game character alongside it. These changes will go into effect on all StarCraft II forums with the launch of the new community site prior to the July 27 release of the game, with the World of Warcraft site and forums following suit near the launch of Cataclysm. Certain classic forums, including the classic Battle.net forums, will remain unchanged.
+ Show Spoiler +
The official forums have always been a great place to discuss the latest info on our games, offer ideas and suggestions, and share experiences with other players -- however, the forums have also earned a reputation as a place where flame wars, trolling, and other unpleasantness run wild. Removing the veil of anonymity typical to online dialogue will contribute to a more positive forum environment, promote constructive conversations, and connect the Blizzard community in ways they haven’t been connected before. With this change, you’ll see blue posters (i.e. Blizzard employees) posting by their real first and last names on our forums as well.
The first and most significant change is that in the near future, anyone posting or replying to a post on official Blizzard forums will be doing so using their Real ID -- that is, their real-life first and last name -- with the option to also display the name of their primary in-game character alongside it. These changes will go into effect on all StarCraft II forums with the launch of the new community site prior to the July 27 release of the game, with the World of Warcraft site and forums following suit near the launch of Cataclysm. Certain classic forums, including the classic Battle.net forums, will remain unchanged.
+ Show Spoiler +
The official forums have always been a great place to discuss the latest info on our games, offer ideas and suggestions, and share experiences with other players -- however, the forums have also earned a reputation as a place where flame wars, trolling, and other unpleasantness run wild. Removing the veil of anonymity typical to online dialogue will contribute to a more positive forum environment, promote constructive conversations, and connect the Blizzard community in ways they haven’t been connected before. With this change, you’ll see blue posters (i.e. Blizzard employees) posting by their real first and last names on our forums as well.
Whatever they are smoking, I fscking WANT IT! This surely will reduce trolling, but activity will be reduced to almost nil.
And here is what the media is writing, thanks to ta2 for compiling! (Click spoiler.)
On July 08 2010 04:59 ta2 wrote:
+ Show Spoiler +
BBC News - World of Warcraft maker to end anonymous forum logins
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10543100.stm
USA Today - 'WoW' studio Blizzard to require real names on forums
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/07/wow-studio-blizzard-to-require-real-names-on-forums/1
Associated Press & Affiliates - Bye-Bye Trolls? Blizzard Forums to Use Real Names
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jV7ybK7aZ_ZS-5ejE4v6tRWYpp9gD9GQCO5G0
ABC News - http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=11108240
ABC News - http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=11109291
Yahoo! News - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100707/ap_on_en_ot/us_tec_blizzard_real_name
MSN Entertainment - http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=509481&affid=100055&silentchk=1&
CVG - Fans rage over Blizzard forum plans
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=254846
PCGamer (UK) - Why Blizzard’s new forum plan is an epic fail
http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/07/why-blizzard’s-new-forum-plan-is-an-epic-fail/
The Register - Blizzard exposes real names on WoW forums
http://www.reghardware.com/2010/07/07/wow_forums/
About.com - WoW Real ID: A Really Bad Idea
http://antivirus.about.com/b/2010/06/22/wow-real-id-a-really-bad-idea.htm
Ars Technica - Blizzard: post about StarCraft 2? Use your real name
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/07/blizzard-post-about-starcraft-2-use-your-real-name.ars
Gamespy - Blizzard to Require Real Names on Official Forums
http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/articles/110/1104456p1.html
Kotaku - Blizzard Forums Will Soon Display Your Real Name
http://kotaku.com/5580585/blizzard-forums-will-soon-display-your-real-name
Kotaku - Blizzard's Real Name Forum Policy Has Fans In An Uproar
http://kotaku.com/5581209/blizzards-real-name-forum-policy-has-fans-in-an-uproar
Joystiq - Your real name to appear on Blizzard's official forums
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/your-real-name-to-appear-on-blizzards-official-forums/
Inc Gamers - Blizzard Going Too Far With Real ID?
http://www.incgamers.com/Columns/94/blizzard-going-too-far-with-real-id
MTV Multiplayer - Blizzard Cracks Down On Anonymity In Official Forums
http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/07/07/blizzard-cracks-down-on-anonymity-in-official-forums/
TechEYE.net - Blizzard forces users to show real names: Internet security they have heard of it
http://www.techeye.net/security/blizzard-forces-users-to-show-real-names
Product Reviews News - WoW Real ID System: Security Flaw Found
http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/07/07/wow-real-id-system-security-flaw-found/
ITWorld - Blizzard to share your name with angry video game nerds
http://www.itworld.com/personal-tech/113202/blizzard-share-your-name-angry-video-game-nerds
Voodoo Extreme - Is Blizzard's Real ID Safe, Or A Playground For Sexual Deviants?
http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/55728/Is-Blizzards-Real-ID-Safe-Or-A-Playground-For-Sexual-Deviants
Voodoo Extreme - Blizzard Forums To Require Use Of Real Name, Rage Ensues
http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/55910/Blizzard-Forums-To-Require-Use-Of-Real-Name-Rage-Ensues
Examiner National - World of Warcraft Players WoWed by Blizzard's REALID announcement
http://www.examiner.com/x-48234-Santa-Ana-Internet-Examiner~y2010m7d7-World-of-Warcraft-Players-WoWed-by-Blizzards-REALID-announcement
EuroGamer - Blizzard forums to require real names
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/blizzard-forums-to-require-real-names
GameFocus - Blizzard To Kill Anonymity On Forums
http://www.gamefocus.ca/?nav=new&nid=10091
Strategy Informer - Battle.net removes "veil of anonymity" on forums, real names used
http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/8551/battlenet-removes-veil-of-anonymity-on-forums-real-names-used
HuskyStarcraft - Blizzard Forums: First and Last Names [VIDEO]
AusGamers - Blizzard Switching Forums to Real ID System
http://www.ausgamers.com/news/read/2926798
Australian Gamer - Blizzard decide to give out subscribers' real names
http://www.australiangamer.com/news/3239_blizzard_decide_to_give_out_subscribers_real_names.html
Zeroday - Is Korean Law Driving Policy at Blizzard?
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/zeroday/2010/07/07/is-korean-law-driving-policy-at-blizzard/
Hell Mode - Why Real ID is a Really Bad Idea
http://hellmode.com/2010/07/06/why-real-id-is-a-really-bad-idea/#more-390
Tank Spot - RealID -- Unethical and Dangerous
http://www.tankspot.com/showthread.php?68744-RealID-Unethical-and-Dangerous
+ Show Spoiler +
BBC News - World of Warcraft maker to end anonymous forum logins
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10543100.stm
USA Today - 'WoW' studio Blizzard to require real names on forums
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/07/wow-studio-blizzard-to-require-real-names-on-forums/1
Associated Press & Affiliates - Bye-Bye Trolls? Blizzard Forums to Use Real Names
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jV7ybK7aZ_ZS-5ejE4v6tRWYpp9gD9GQCO5G0
ABC News - http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=11108240
ABC News - http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=11109291
Yahoo! News - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100707/ap_on_en_ot/us_tec_blizzard_real_name
MSN Entertainment - http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=509481&affid=100055&silentchk=1&
CVG - Fans rage over Blizzard forum plans
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=254846
PCGamer (UK) - Why Blizzard’s new forum plan is an epic fail
http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/07/why-blizzard’s-new-forum-plan-is-an-epic-fail/
The Register - Blizzard exposes real names on WoW forums
http://www.reghardware.com/2010/07/07/wow_forums/
About.com - WoW Real ID: A Really Bad Idea
http://antivirus.about.com/b/2010/06/22/wow-real-id-a-really-bad-idea.htm
Ars Technica - Blizzard: post about StarCraft 2? Use your real name
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/07/blizzard-post-about-starcraft-2-use-your-real-name.ars
Gamespy - Blizzard to Require Real Names on Official Forums
http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/articles/110/1104456p1.html
Kotaku - Blizzard Forums Will Soon Display Your Real Name
http://kotaku.com/5580585/blizzard-forums-will-soon-display-your-real-name
Kotaku - Blizzard's Real Name Forum Policy Has Fans In An Uproar
http://kotaku.com/5581209/blizzards-real-name-forum-policy-has-fans-in-an-uproar
Joystiq - Your real name to appear on Blizzard's official forums
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/your-real-name-to-appear-on-blizzards-official-forums/
Inc Gamers - Blizzard Going Too Far With Real ID?
http://www.incgamers.com/Columns/94/blizzard-going-too-far-with-real-id
MTV Multiplayer - Blizzard Cracks Down On Anonymity In Official Forums
http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/07/07/blizzard-cracks-down-on-anonymity-in-official-forums/
TechEYE.net - Blizzard forces users to show real names: Internet security they have heard of it
http://www.techeye.net/security/blizzard-forces-users-to-show-real-names
Product Reviews News - WoW Real ID System: Security Flaw Found
http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/07/07/wow-real-id-system-security-flaw-found/
ITWorld - Blizzard to share your name with angry video game nerds
http://www.itworld.com/personal-tech/113202/blizzard-share-your-name-angry-video-game-nerds
Voodoo Extreme - Is Blizzard's Real ID Safe, Or A Playground For Sexual Deviants?
http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/55728/Is-Blizzards-Real-ID-Safe-Or-A-Playground-For-Sexual-Deviants
Voodoo Extreme - Blizzard Forums To Require Use Of Real Name, Rage Ensues
http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/55910/Blizzard-Forums-To-Require-Use-Of-Real-Name-Rage-Ensues
Examiner National - World of Warcraft Players WoWed by Blizzard's REALID announcement
http://www.examiner.com/x-48234-Santa-Ana-Internet-Examiner~y2010m7d7-World-of-Warcraft-Players-WoWed-by-Blizzards-REALID-announcement
EuroGamer - Blizzard forums to require real names
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/blizzard-forums-to-require-real-names
GameFocus - Blizzard To Kill Anonymity On Forums
http://www.gamefocus.ca/?nav=new&nid=10091
Strategy Informer - Battle.net removes "veil of anonymity" on forums, real names used
http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/8551/battlenet-removes-veil-of-anonymity-on-forums-real-names-used
HuskyStarcraft - Blizzard Forums: First and Last Names [VIDEO]
AusGamers - Blizzard Switching Forums to Real ID System
http://www.ausgamers.com/news/read/2926798
Australian Gamer - Blizzard decide to give out subscribers' real names
http://www.australiangamer.com/news/3239_blizzard_decide_to_give_out_subscribers_real_names.html
Zeroday - Is Korean Law Driving Policy at Blizzard?
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/zeroday/2010/07/07/is-korean-law-driving-policy-at-blizzard/
Hell Mode - Why Real ID is a Really Bad Idea
http://hellmode.com/2010/07/06/why-real-id-is-a-really-bad-idea/#more-390
Tank Spot - RealID -- Unethical and Dangerous
http://www.tankspot.com/showthread.php?68744-RealID-Unethical-and-Dangerous
Edit:
Does this mean that they are going to make our names visible on the Sc2 beta forums, or does this only concern new forums created after the 27th?
Whatever, I am not going public with my name in that context. Still too much of a stigma connected to gaming in many circles, sad but true.
Mod edit: According to Bashiok, old posts will not be converted to the new system. There's a link somewhere in the thread. It's still terrible however. - Jinro
Blizzard responses
A good summary of the problems
Another excellent summary
Youtube is on the case.
Several has requested this to be posted:
On July 07 2010 15:55 Sylvr wrote:
Very relevant:
Very relevant:
On July 08 2010 07:36 Ventez wrote:
![[image loading]](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NgAkWxcPBE)
On July 08 2010 07:44 Bibdy wrote:
![[image loading]](http://i25.tinypic.com/10sdgts.png)
Hopfully it's only for the forums and not for Battle Net 2.0000.
