Today when I signed into the gmail account I use for all my activities as Sarcozona, Google told me I needed to fill out some info for G+. I was annoyed because I don’t really want to use G+, but you have to have a page if you want to sign into other websites with your gmail account. So I obediently filled in the little boxes. Google thinks Sarcozona doesn’t look like a real name, so they linked me to an appeal form asking for proof that Sarcozona was a name I actually go by. There’s quite a bit of proof since I’ve been Sarcozona on the internet since 1998. My appeal was rejected almost immediately.

Hello,

After reviewing your appeal, we have determined that your name does not comply with the Google+ Names Policy.

We want users to be able to find each other using the name they already use with their friends, family, and coworkers. For most people this is their legal name, or some variant of it, but we recognize that this isn’t always the case, and we allow for other common names in Google+ — specifically, those that represent an individual with an established online identity with a meaningful following. If you haven’t already done so, you can provide us with additional information regarding an established identity by re-submitting an appeal that includes references to where you are known by this name either in online or offline settings.

…

You may re-appeal with additional information, if you have not already done so. If you’re already using Google+, your current name will continue to be used.The Google+ team.

I didn’t want to use G+ as Sarcozona, but it was weirdly painful to be told that an identity I’ve inhabited for 15 years isn’t real enough for them.

Google+, you can go fuck yourself.