Google apologizes, revises social network policy
Google got first-hand experience in crisis management over the weekend when it triggered customer outcry by blowing away the accounts of many one-time Google+ users because they'd broken Google's name restrictions.
That didn't go over very well. As ZDNet's Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols asked at the time, "what was Google thinking?. It didn't take very long before Google's senior VP of social, Vic Gundotra responded in a bid to end the blowback before it turned into full-scale PR crisis. He explained Google's logic for insisting on real names as an attempt to set a positive tone, "like when a restaurant doesn't allow people who aren't wearing shirts to enter."
Now, Google says it intends to change its naming policies "as soon as possible." Company vice president Bradley Horowitz, wrote in a post that the changes will be rolled out "in a matter of weeks."
He also apologized for how Google had been handling many of its Google+ users' choice of names. "We've noticed that many violations of the Google+ common name policy were in fact well-intentioned and inadvertent and for these users our process can be frustrating and disappointing. So we're currently making a number of improvements to this process- specifically regarding how we notify these users that they're not in compliance with Google+ policies and how we communicate the remedies available to them."
The changes include the following modifications:
- Users will receive a warning and a chance to correct their name in advance of any suspension. (If Google determines that the account is violating other policies like spam or abuse it w'll suspend the account immediately.)
- At time of this notice, a clear indication of how the user can edit their name to conform to Google's community standards
- Better expectation setting as to next steps and timeframes for users that are engaged in this process.
- Google also intends to examine the signup process to reduce the chances that users will wind up getting their accounts subject to review.
But these changes don't go far enough for some users and you can read up on the latest over at ZDNet which is tracking this ongoing story here.
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Furthermore, as a user currently caught up in the Purge, I'm very disappointed. Google+ promised they would have a different approach to Privacy than the nosy and intrusive FaceBook. And now a month later Google+ is requiring users to mail in copies of their Government ID in order to be allowed to continue using the service? And even then they won't let users keep their government name private. And what'll it be next month? Maybe a pay stub? At this rate, by wintertime Google will want blood samples and fingerprints. Just so we can look at and share pics of LOL Cats? Who do they think they are?
And the first time you ban somebody who's name really IS "Ben Dover" or "Mike Hunt" or "Phil McCavity" you're gonna look like the fools you are. :-)
Besides, there are many out here who feel their name and other personal data are none of your business in the first place....