anonymous : A Northern German state’s data protection commissioner has threatened to fine Mark Zuckerberg $26,000 for Facebook allegedly violating the country’s law stating citizens may use media services anonymously. Facebook plans to “fight [the threat] vigorously”. That’s wise, as altering its real-name policy could jeopardize Facebook’s future. Prohibiting pseudonyms lets Facebook remove spammers and serve as an identity provider for the web. . . .
¶Facebook’s position would pit European law against Germany’s. The Irish Data Protection Commissioner holds that Facebook’s real name policy, which states that users cannot use a fake name to register for the service, complies with European data protection principles and Irish law. In fact, the Irish Commissioner sees the policy helps people better manage their private information securely. (†589)
