Micah Whipple, remember the name because it’s an important one in the privacy stakes. Blizzard it seems, have bought lock, stock and extremely smoking barrel into the whole concept of sharing the love of real life details, many of their users however are not at all impressed about the Zuckerberging of their names, the problem it seems stems from forum changes that will mean anyone posting on the forums at some point in the future (the exact date is vague) will post using Real ID, which will mean posting with their real first and last name, they can helpfully post with their character name alongside it.
The problems for Blizzard started when they posted this information on their forums, the US forums here and the European forums, here. Some forum goers feel this is a wonderful move and will cut down on trolling, which is one of the reasons Blizzard cite: “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. “
However things haven’t gone quite as well as Blizzard would have hoped, it seems people in this day and age of Facebook, do still value their privacy and people are suspicious as to the real motives behind this. The simple fact is, that although plenty of users have pledged support, plenty more and this is by a whopping majority, are outraged, annoyed and positively disgusted by these plans. So much so that when Micah Whipple posted in a thread about whether Blues would post using their real name, malicious users posted information about Micah, as reported here. Now this was a silly stunt and I’m sure some WoW users will be in trouble over this, but they were proving a point and they proved it well.
Eventually an official responds on a forum thread about whether Blues will have to post, the thread where Micah Whipple posted his name, it’s a sensible post but completely misses the point that is being complained about:
“I should point out that showing a real first and last name doesn’t provide any one the right to then seek out additional information on that name and post it here. That has been and will continue to be a violation of the forum code of conduct, and so bans and what have you are incoming. Fair warning.
That’s just a blanket rule that applies to everyone. ”
The incident was reported by the Beeb, here. The Beeb story claims that within five minutes information about the Blizzard employee was posted on the forums, the thread has since been deleted. There are also now uncomfirmed rumours that The Blues (official Blizzard reps in the forums) will not have to post their real life details on the forums, because of incidents like this, someone who seems to be from WoW,com posted:
“So here’s what we know:
Bashiok / Drysc posted his real life name yesterday, and had his privacy violated by people posting maps to his house, his parents’ names, and (potentially incorrect) cell phone numbers.
We have seen multiple reports of WoW players who have called up Blizzard’s support line and spoken with representatives who’ve told them blues will no longer be using their real names in the new forums.
Josh, a Blizzard phone rep said that Blizzard employees “cannot risk having their personal lives compromised by in-game issues.”
But the players concern in real life is of no value to them… obviously we just provide their paycheck nothing else. to them we are $ signs..
Blizzard blue representative Rygarius locked, but did not delete nor deny, a thread on this.
WoW.com has emailed PR contacts within Blizzard for comment, and have not heard anything back. ”
However, other Blizzard reps are insisting Blues will be posting with their real names, although others have said they won’t be, as reported here, on WoW.com.
So what’s the big deal and what the hell does this have to do with Second Life? I mean, people can choose to not post on the forums, plenty of people don’t post on the forums right? Well yes, but the forums are a source of information, as they are in Second Life, they’re a source of technical, tactical and what the hell to do next, as they are in Second Life.
Linden Lab have previously made comments along similar lines regarding people using real names, saying that they believe people will behave better, that it encourages trust. This has an element of truth but the cons outweigh the pros here. If your name is John Smith, you’re probably not bothered, but what if you’re a real female and some guy takes a shine to you, he can find you all too easily, the lessons we got taught as kids about not taking sweets from strangers do extend into adulthood, sharing personal information in a social environment should be something you choose to do, not something you feel pressured into doing.
This whole concept of everyone sharing their real life details, ala Facebook, is deeply flawed and deeply dangerous. If people want to share, then they have that option, however those who don’t feel so comfortable about it, shouldn’t be made to feel bad, it is absolutely not normal to go around sharing your details with strangers, I can understand why Mark Zuckerberg for the purposes of his business wants to make us feel it’s normal, but he’s wrong and so are Blizzard, Linden Lab would also be wrong if they went down this path.
If the real reason for Blizzard is to try and bring civiity to the forums (and I really don’t think that is the real reason), then they could follow the example set by City Of Heroes, on City of Heroes you have one positing id for the forums and that’s it, you don’t post with multiple names. That would help to deal with the comments they find unhelpful, it’s not perfect, but if that’s your goal then it’s a better policy than the one Blizzard are pursuing, it’s also a better customer service result.
Blizzard do have a privacy policy, one in which they claim:
“Blizzard deems it a point of honour that the information you send us should be protected and should remain in its original form, i.e. unaltered. In this respect, access to all private data is strictly monitored. Furthermore, we will do our utmost to ensure that the third parties to whom we may forward this information provide sufficient guaranties of security with regard to this personal information. ”
This sounds ridiculous in light of their planned changes, oh people will only be openly sharing part of that private information that Blizzard are honoured to have been sent, but it’s still a ridiculous paragraph when people won’t be able to post on the forums without sharing private information.
People who want to share their details, have every right to do so, but why are companies so interested in trying to apply peer pressure and place hurdles in front of people who want to remain private in their dealings?
This makes very little sense, especially in light of the negative reaction if it really is for the purposes Blizzard state, however if it’s part of a plan to emulate or join Zuckerberg’s no to privacy outlook, as a business move, then that would make sense, it still wouldn’t be popular, but it would make more sense.