By Brent W. Hopkins

Google’s new “beta” social network, Google Plus, has seen rapid adoption with +20 million users and rising. With Google’s enormous resources and presence on the Web, G+ is bound to become a major player in the social networking space, and its influence will be magnified exponentially as Web site developers rush to integrate it in a similar fashion to the way that Facebook is being integrated across the Web. Google is clearly not content with allowing Facebook to remain the de facto provider of Web identity. Initially I welcomed this attempt to destabilize Facebook’s choke-hold on the Web, as I have come to deeply distrust the motivations and strategy of Facebook. However, it has become evident to me that Google’s policy of what constitutes a “proper” username represents a level of arrogance which is contrary to American ideals. I sincerely hope that the G+ username policy is also contrary to American law. That remains to be seen.

To summarize the issue: Google demands that all G+ users select a username that is their “proper” or “real” (read, Anglicized) name: for example, John Smith. I won’t belabor the point, but this is not exemplary of the range of real, valid legal names that millions of Americans use every single day. Not to mention the names that citizens of other places such as Hong Kong use. For Google to elevate itself as the arbiter of what constitutes a “real” name, is the height of arrogance and folly. It would be ludicrous – except when you consider the enormous power and influence which Google wields. It is unacceptable. Frankly, Google comes off looking both stupid and arrogant here. Which it is.

Moreover, even if the “real name” requirement is modified to actually allow real names, the policy is still unacceptable. Many people have valid reasons to use a pseudonym on the Web. Ask anyone who has ever been threatened or stalked. It is not uncommon. Concealment of one’s “real name” can be a matter of life and death for many people. To say to these people, that they are not welcome on Google Plus, is the height of arrogance and folly. Again, it would be ludicrous except for the fact of Google’s enormous power and influence. Completely unacceptable.

So, I would just like to take this opportunity to say, with all due respect to your considerable accomplishments: Fuck you, Google. Fuck your arrogance for elevating yourself as the arbiter of what constitutes a “real” name. You can’t hide behind a Beta label on this one, motherfucker.

I’m on strike from Google Plus, until you remedy this abominable over-reaching of your place in the world. And, if you don’t change, pronto, I will begin to pull the plug on every other Google service that I use. And, I will vocally deride you, in public, at every opportunity. You have been warned: expect me.

Sincerely, the “real” Brent W. Hopkins