Google+ name suspension... - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

03/14/2012 08:12:25 AM · #1

So I woke up to a blocked google+ this morning. I received an email from them overnight telling me my name didn't fit their name policy and I had to change it. Huh? WTF? I logged into g+ to make sure this was real and not some phishing scam. It's real. The only option it was giving me was to change my name. And this would have changed my name in any account associated with google. But! It's my real f'ing name! I did some searching and found a way to appeal, but they didn't make it easy to find. In the appeal I had to link to other account url's that are established where I use my name. And I had to send in scanned ID. I think at this point google is taking things way too far and I'm pissed. But I did it because I don't want half my internet access cut off. I wouldn't have even been able to use Picasa if a permanent suspension had gone through. Does google really need my ID? The claim they will discard it once they prove who I am. And what is so suspicious about my name that it got flagged in the first place? So for now, pending investigation, they've unblocked my account. I'll find out in a few days whether I'm legitimate or not.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

03/14/2012 08:31:49 AM · #2

That's bizarre. I find nothing unusual about your name. Perhaps they think your last name will be construed as a government agency? Did they explain their reasoning at all?

03/14/2012 08:46:41 AM · #3

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

That's bizarre. I find nothing unusual about your name. Perhaps they think your last name will be construed as a government agency? Did they explain their reasoning at all?

No. This is the email I got...

Hello,

After reviewing your profile, it appears that the name you entered does not comply with the Google+ Names Policy. Please log in to Google+ and visit your profile to learn more and take action.

The Names Policy requires that you use the name you are commonly referred to in real life in your profile. Nicknames, previous names, and so on should be entered in the Other Names section of the profile. Profiles are limited to individuals; use Google+ Pages for businesses and other entities.

If you do not edit your name to comply with our Names policy or appeal with additional information within four days of receiving this message, your profile will be suspended. While suspended, you will not be able to make full use of Google services that require an active profile, such as Google+, Buzz, Reader and Picasa. This will not prevent you from using other Google services, like Gmail.

The Google+ team.

KarenNfld

03/14/2012 09:39:30 AM · #4

I've heard about this before, with people who had ordinary names. Did you google (ha) the problem?

03/14/2012 11:42:17 AM · #5

Originally posted by KarenNfld:

I've heard about this before, with people who had ordinary names. Did you google (ha) the problem?

Oh yeah, there have been plenty of complaints and unresolved issues. I've read some that say they've been suspended for months, even though they were using their real (though sometimes unusual) names. My issue is mine isn't even unusual.