Why is there an uproar over Blizzard requiring users to use real names, but not Facebook?

[eternus]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100709/ap_o..._real_name

Blizzard is a gaming company. The article says: "Gamers say it could make them vulnerable to real-life harassment, hurt job prospects and encroach on privacy."

But why isn't Facebook or other social media sites criticized? People can be harassed or lower their job prospects too.

Given how ubiquitous it is - some sites even require you to have a Facebook account to post comments - then how can someone who does not want to reveal their identity online survive in today's world? What if someone doesn't have any real-life friends or like their real name, are they forced into hiding by the Web?

[Benjamin]

Because it will do just that; make them vulnerable to real-life harassment, hurt job prospects and encroach on privacy. Facebook isn't being criticized because they are a social site, to meet friends and find friends, but people who play Blizzard's World of Warcraft are often made fun of, or even worse, harassed, because of what the game is, but also simply because of the fact that these people want to be their own person in the 'World' of Warcraft. That's pretty much it.

[Dynamicmorning801]

Look, the way I see it, Blizzard is a private company and can do whatever they want. Presumably they'd want to do things that are popular among their clientèle, but sometimes companies have to make unpopular decisions to protect their own liabilities.

If someone doesn't want their name on the Internet, the solution is quite simple: don't put your name on the internet. Not giving out your name may sometimes inhibit your ability to make use of certain online services, but that's a personal choice on how you balance the values of privacy versus convenience.

Blizzard wasn't forcing anyone to give out their personal information. They were simply saying that IF you want to make use of our services, then you have to go by our rules, and use your real name when posting in the forums.

Chance of harassment? Lowering job prospects? Well, the only way I can see that happening, is if you were to say inappropriate or impolite things on the forum, something you shouldn't be doing whether it's attached to your real name or not. An avatar isn't a license to say whatever you want. There's always a chance, even with an alias, that it will someday be linked to your true identity, and cause you trouble.