Naww I wish I signed up for this earlier!

I dig it, but this concerns me.

And me as well. Still, I doubt it'll be long before Google realizes just how many potential users they're refusing.
And if they don't, these social networks never stick with me for long anyway. o3o

I KNEW their was something shifty about G+ i avoid most of googles attempts to intertwine every possible thing with their name on it anyway. Its annoying enough with em tryin to make me link my common gmail account and my yootoob account 9_9

I'd hate to have em shut down my mailbox for something goofy like their G+ rules :U

The businesses being shut out is because 1) they do actually want it for individuals right now (it's beta and you're even supposed to be 18+ to use it, too) and 2) they're making some sort of profile or page of sorts just for businesses to be released soon. Right now G+ is just for individuals, with the corporate addition being released fairly soon.

You missed the part where they're also culling people who are signing up with their internet psuedonym. Apparently google has has decided you have to use your real name and violate your privacy or gtfo.

Actually, I didn't miss it -- I read the ToS. Did you? Obviously not, as it clearly states in the User Content and Conduct Policy for Google+--

13. Display Name

To help fight spam and prevent fake profiles, use the name your friends, family or co-workers usually call you. For example, if your full legal name is Charles Jones Jr. but you normally use Chuck Jones or Junior Jones, either of those would be acceptable.

It seems clear that Google does not want your name deviating far from your given, legal name. You're much more accountable for your actions this way.

And in the ToS for Google's products in general, it states --

4. Provision of the Services by Google

4.3 As part of this continuing innovation, you acknowledge and agree that Google may stop (permanently or temporarily) providing the Services (or any features within the Services) to you or to users generally at Google’s sole discretion, without prior notice to you.

Again, clear and simple. They don't even need a reason to stop service to you. They could decide tomorrow that it's males only and boot me off the site. I would be fine with that, because I read the ToS ahead of time and agreed to their terms.

"Apparently google has has decided you have to use your real name and [/b]violate your privacy[/b] or gtfo."

God forbid, Google make something that you have the choice to use, for free, and ask in return that you follow their rules. It's so uncalled for! /sarcasm. You have to use your real name on Facebook, too. Did you not know this? Not read the ToS? The only reason so many people are getting away with using a display name as it either appears to possibly be a real name or Facebook staff are so swamped they haven't gotten to it yet. To use a pseudonym, you are supposed to make a facebook Page. Less desirable, but ToS are ToS.

I also fail to see how using your real name inherently violates your privacy. You are not forced to use Google+, and anything you put on the site is by your decision only and is completely under your control. Google is doing NOTHING you have not given them permission to do by posting on the site. It's Internet 101. If you don't want it potentially known publicly, don't post it.

following <3
Now I can bug you with art questions anywhere!
heehee
j/k
<3

Yeah, I've been kinda tempted by it... But I don't really use Facebook and it's pretty much same shit, different name, right? :)

I was there and I deleted the g+ account to avoid being banned completely because not using my real name. Sad. :(

good

now jump off the bandwagon

into the river

A huge amount of Facebook's funding is was provided by CIA front companies, and Google has a special relationship with the NSA. I'll just hold out for Diaspora, thank you; ... any time now (for the last 5 years).

I know that as good and proud informed citizens we're not supposed to do the "well I'm not doing anything wrong, what's the problem?". I've had few issues in the past with privacy (like on facebook) just because I do so little there that's related to my normal life.. I am not trying to shoot you down, just wanting to understand your argument better