Report: Facebook To Allow Anonymous Posting

[engine]

Could this be an initiative following the expansion of ello?

Soon, Facebook will allow you to be yourself, but under a different name.

The company is working on a stand-alone mobile application that allows users to interact inside of it without having to use their real names, according to two people briefed on Facebook’s plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the project.

The app, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks, reveals a different, experimental take on Facebook’s long-established approach to identity. Report: Facebook To Allow Anonymous Posting [bits.blogs.nytimes.com]

[Marshall]

Like every account is a real person now?!

Marshall

[blend27]

without having to use their real names

import android.telephony.TelephonyManager;      
import android.content.Context;       
String imeistring = null;        
String imsistring = null;
{           
 TelephonyManager telephonyManager;  
 telephonyManager = 
  ( TelephonyManager )getSystemService( Context.TELEPHONY_SERVICE );
   
 /*
 * getDeviceId() function Returns the unique device ID.
 * for example,the IMEI for GSM and the MEID or ESN for CDMA phones. 
 */        
 imeistring = telephonyManager.getDeviceId(); 
 /*
 * getSubscriberId() function Returns the unique subscriber ID,
 * for example, the IMSI for a GSM phone.
 */
 imsistring = telephonyManager.getSubscriberId(); 
}

<uses-permission
 android:name="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE" >
</uses-permission>

On the app install they always ask for access to your DEVICE ID, so much for real names.

[not2easy]

allows users to interact inside of it without having to use their real names

- gotcha..

They don't say it really is anonymous (to them), just applies anonymity to interactions within the app.

[sampendleton]

ahaha you nailed it Marshall.
Anyway, does it make a difference?

[tangor]

These days "privacy" is a joke unless you demand it by hardening your browser and refusing to play games. The last thing any of these sites want is "anonymity"! That would break their bottom line. :)