Online Identity

An article posted by the NY Times discusses the battle for customized web addresses that Facebook has begun giving out to users. Perhaps it is our own vanity or the desire to brand and make a name for oneself in the social networking world, but whatever it is people are willing to fight for the rights to their web address name. Celebrities and businesses on twitter and facebook have even complained to the networking sites for allowing other people to claim and register their shared name or for using their name as an imposter. The article even discussed obsessed fans that go as far as to beat celebs to their web address name and demand face to face meetings etc. in exchange for their name.

Anonymity seems to no longer be a desirable part of social networking and web use. Everyone is trying to make a name for themselves or get by under the name of someone else. Twitter has even gone as far to post a sign on well known users’ pages stating that it is a “verified account.” This is to try and expose any imposters using that celebrity’s name. The internet is constantly changing, simplifying, and expanding its reach. In this new “game” will sites such as facebook and twitter actually be able to control and protect the online identity of its users? Will companies such as Dell and Bank of America be able to protect their trademarks against the millions of people “squatting” on desirable web addresses that companies want in order to protect their brand?

Is the line between virtual reality and reality becoming more and more blurred and obscure? When does who a person presents to be online cloud who that person really is, and is that dangerous in a society where most communication is being done through social networking sites such as these. The fight to remain relevant and exposed on these sites may only be getting worse. Already online identity stealers and imposters have created problems for companies, celebs, and even regular everyday users. So what comes next? In a world with a total internet audience of about 188 million people odds are the fights for online identity will continue however as the technology advances at a faster pace the race to stay updated and relevant will become even more difficult.