Blizzard backtracks on Real ID some

A couple of years ago, Blizzard introduced their Real ID scheme which was supposed to increase personal responsibility in the community.

Since that time, many, many so-called PC computers have been compromised my malware, users have willingly handed over their account passwords to banned [and crooked] "power leveling" services, and Blizzard itself has allowed — in the broadest sense of the word — millions of computer users email addresses to be copied off the corporation's computers.

In addition, scams have been going on quietly for months or years which piece together data which is allowed to fall through the cracks from different online businesses to destroy data and potentially commit robbery.

Lately, the scams have not been quiet.  One reporter who worked for a tech news publication had their online identities snatched and their personal data including a large number of digital photos destroyed.

Not so funny, is it?

Suddenly, sharing one's name or email address with anyone when it is not vital to do so seems like not a very good idea.

So this spring Blizzard rolled out BattleTag.  It sounds like a very good, timely feature indeed.

No longer will it be necessary to share your email address with someone to use Real ID.  Instead, you can simply give them your BattleTag.

Your BattleTag is a unique moniker you create yourself [e.g. "DarkRaider"] and a number which is generated by Blizzard.  While your moniker may not be unique, in combination with the number [e.g. 567925] Blizzard gives you to go along with it, it is totally unique.

Example:  DarkRaider#567925

I am not laughing.  I think this is a cool idea.