Real ID

[Zich]

I agree, there should be an option to not show your name on other's friend-of-friend lists -regardless of their own settings-, and an option to not share your own list with anyone.

Using real names at all is a bad idea, I'm not sure why blizzard wouldn't let us create a handle (that could be 2 names, if you want to use your real for some reason) it isn't a unique name like character-per-server names, so handles would be fine.

With handles, I wouldn't mind the friend-of-friend list, but knowing people I don't even know in game see my real name because they talk to someone I talk to, is unsettling. I actually do like being able to add friends via mutual lists, because it means I don't need to ask for an account name or share mine, but honestly I'd have an easier time of it if these friends used their preferred handle. That's simply how I know most of my wow friends, handles trump real names in a game designed to escape reality.

Blizz is still shamelessly unrepentant about the battle.net swap and the privacy/security failure that is using an email as your account name. I don't see them giving a rat's ass about user privacy on an optional game feature, in light of this. I don't think Blizzard's grip on reality is strong enough to let them see how stupid real ID using your actual identification is, and that sharing that with people you don't even know is even worse... they'll just say use it, or don't, because it's optional. Also, you can bet they'll blame you for sharing with an untrusted source if it causes any complications in the future!