Verifying online identity
One issue we’ll look at is that of identity. People often assume pseudo-identities in virtual communities. With respect to dating and business ventures, however, real offline identities are essential. The Read/Write Web has a post “Nobody knows you’re a dog 2.0” on this problem:
On the internet it is easy to pretend to be somebody else. Don’t like your name, adopt a new one. Don’t like the way you look, Photoshop your picture. Think you are too young or too old, select a new age. How is anybody going to find out anyway?
To tackle this problem, Identity Verification Services are arising. The Read/Write Web reviews three of these–Trufina, Opinity, and Idology–and the issues they bring with them, and conclude that “there is still a lot of room for improvement.”
