Google+ relaxes real name policy to allow pseudonyms
Established pseudonyms can be used to register accounts on Google+ after the social network relaxed its name policy.
The move follows criticism from human rights groups which had said there were circumstances under which individuals could have become unsafe if they revealed their identities.
The search giant said it had already begun rolling out the amended policy.
However, it is said users must prove their nickname has already attracted an audience elsewhere.
The change of rules was confirmed on the account page of Google executive Bradley Horowitz.
He noted that 0.1% of all applicants filed name appeals, and 20% of this number wanted to use a pseudonym or other unconventional name.
Mr Horowitz said that users wanting to take advantage of the new policy might have to provide "references to an established identity offline in print media, news article, etc" or offer "proof of an established identity online with a meaningful following".
He said users might also need to provide "scanned official documentation, such as a drivers' licence" and that the review process would take a "few days".
Google told the BBC that it would destroy any documentation provided as part of an appeal once it had completed the verification process.
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Tad late for that poor guy with the little squares for a name sat in a prison factory?
