'Nymwars' debate over online identity explodes

Who has the right to decide how you're known on the Internet -- you, or the online service you're using? That simmering question, which erupted with the launch of the new Google+ social network this summer, rolled into a boil this week with two high-profile developments.

First, Facebook decided to enforce its "real names only" policy against internationally known author Salman Rushdie, changing his page -- without his consent -- to the name on his passport, Ahmed. Next, the Justice Department told Congress that it needs the ability to prosecute people who provide false information to websites with the intent to harm others, stirring fears across cyberspace that people might be busted for lying about their weight and age on Match DOT com. The two unrelated events brought into full public view the "nymwars," the online debate known by its Twitter hashtag. The debate focuses on the notion that people online should have the freedom to choose how they want to identify themselves. Identity rights experts say the government is asking for too much power. The nymwars debate is even more important, they say, because Facebook, Google and Twitter are trying to become people's identity passports to the Internet, allowing people to use credentials from those services to sign on to hundreds of thousands of other sites and services. Twitter does allow people to use a pseudonym.