Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ A Federal Blue Checkmark, and Not Learning Lessons

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

Facebook has in the past advocated the idea of requiring a single validated identity for all users, so it's no surprise to read Sam Lessin, a former Facebook VP, recommending that "government should mandate that all social networks  of any size adopt a national version of the coveted blue 'validated'  check mark confirming an authentic identity." There are problems with this idea, as Anil Dash makes clear in this response. And sure, such a system could be abused. But more importantly, it makes my identity depend on their approval. For example, as Rick Klau says, it "makes a citizen's speech dependent on the government's continued support of that identity."

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Apr 25, 2024 01:24 a.m.

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