China requires real names of online gamers

Online gamers have to give real names (China Daily), eroding the privacy that comes with anonymity and pseudonymity. How long until TOM-Skype is required to compel its users to give up their identities too?

Anonymous communication is a right. It allows political free speech. It protects people who blow the whistle on evil. It lets people call for help without retribution. It empowers people to explore their wild sides. Privately.

So anonymity in Skype is important. Skype users can be anonymous on Skype up to the point they spend money. Will Skype comply when China asks for your real name? Will Skype require TOM-Skype users to give real names too?

That's Skype's next moral challenge.

tags: skype, china, tom-skype, privacy, security, freedom, identity, id, regulation, anonymity, pseudonymity

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photo: Scott Beale / Laughing Squid