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http://www.macnn.com/articles/10/11/30/increased.convenience.diminished.privacy/

Apple changes Game Center terms to show full names

updated 10:30 am EST, Tue November 30, 2010

 

Increased convenience, diminished privacy


Apple has sent out an e-mail notification, warning Game Center users of a change to the service's terms and conditions. As with Microsoft's Xbox Live network, Game Center users can send out friend requests to other gamers in order to track them and join up for multiplayer matches. In a significant difference however, Apple says it is now including real full names when requests are sent out, taken from Apple IDs.

The change should decrease some of the confusion with Game Center, since people may not necessarily recognize each other by their aliases. It could also help protect younger gamers, removing the cloak of secrecy from bullies or predators. Some privacy concerns may exist, though, since people may have legitimate reasons for not wanting to share their real identities.




by MacNN Staff

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 iPod, iPhone, security, gaming, Apple, iPad, Game Center

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Comments

  1. solefald

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2008

    0
    11/30, 11:18am | report spam | Reply |

    nice...

    this is exactly why my Ping trial lasted about 15 seconds... i *DO NOT* want my full name out there. I do not want random people to see my full name anywhere.

  1. Euge

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2006

    +14
    11/30, 11:24am | report spam | Reply |

    Only for friend requests

    @solefald - the use of the full name is used only on the initial friend request. The nickname is still used for everything else. Presumably if you're making or receiving a friend request, this is not a random person and should be someone you know. This way, you know the person by name and not have to figure out who "kckurbtt" is.

  1. DiabloConQueso

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2008

    +12
    11/30, 11:28am | report spam | Reply |

    It would concern me more...

    ...if someone was reluctant to tell me who they were. You introduce yourself in public by shaking hands with a complete stranger and announcing your name, and the stranger, in turn, does likewise. It's been this way since 1978, maybe even longer... ;)

    You've got no qualms with handing a complete stranger your credit card number and full name when you purchase something in a store... you've got no qualms with the big media companies knowing your full name and address when you get a magazine subscription... you've got no qualms with the school systems publicizing your childrens' names to every other student and parent associated with the school... but you don't want a game partner to know your first and last name? Why? So when they stalk you, instead of hurling insults like "Partier0101, you're a real d-bag!" they can hurl, "Joe Smith, you're a real d-bag!"?

    Seriously -- I can go down to the courthouse and pull names of everyone in my city if I like, including their physical street addresses... and if the courthouse won't give it to me, there are plenty of list companies that will.

    Knowing your name doesn't invade your privacy at all, you paranoid weirdos.

  1. yticolev

    Forum Regular

    Joined: May 2002

    -3
    11/30, 12:00pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Paranoid, really?

    Just a simple Google search of your screen name turns up a post about smoking weed. Do you want your employer to see that associated with your real name? Or your mom to see your participation on p*** sites? The picture that even those with casual interest about you can paint about your various activities and interests should give you pause about how public you want your life to be. Picture 10 or 20 years from now, not just your current weed befuddled state. That information lasts forever and you cannot predict its influence over your life in the future.

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