YouTube accounts become less private

Prior to this week, YouTube users could upload content anonymously or under a pseudonym, expressing themselves freely without the consequences of exposing their identity. However, the launch of Google + has altered this option - it's now no longer possible for users to log on to YouTube under a guise, The Register reports. Google's change of requirement's is now strikingly similar to Facebook's, where users' accounts are temporarily disabled until they add an official photo of themselves as identity verification. “Google Profiles are designed to be public pages on the web, which are used to help connect and find real people in the real world,” said Google spokeswoman Katie Watson, quoted by the news source. "By providing your common name, you will be assisting all people you know – friends, family members, classmates, co-workers, and other acquaintances – in finding and creating a connection with the right person online." Going forward, users must sign in to YouTube using their existing GMail accounts, with a real name required on the account to provide identity authentication. TMCNet adds that any Google account with a private profile will be deleted by July 31 unless "public view" is turned on.