Apple's Game Center Now Reveals Real Names For Friend Requests

Apple earlier this week updated the terms of service for Game Center on iOS devices, which now requires users to share their full names with others when sending or receiving friend requests. Under the new terms of service, users will now share the full name associated with their iTunes account with the recipient of a new friend request. If the recipient accepts the request, his or her full name will be shown to the sender. This new policy will only affect friend requests; after a request has been accepted or rejected, the users' real names will no longer be visible. The game-focused social networking service still relies on user created nicknames for its other features, such as playing games or browsing achievements. Apple's new terms of service suggests the new policy was implemented to prevent users from falsely representing themselves or posing as others individuals. The new terms explicitly assert all users must not, "pretend to be anyone, or any entity, [they] are not." Earlier this year, Blizzard tried to implement a similar policy when it announced users would be required to display their real names on the Battle.net community forums, which sparked harsh backlash from the site's users. In wake of the customer outcry, Blizzard chose to retract its new policy in favor of the original system, allowing customers to continue using their online nicknames.