Rant Genuinely disgusted with Microsoft's data protection !

[CurrentlySober]

So, when I signed up for my XBox pass on the PC I gave Microsoft my full details, so as I could pay etc, then they asked me to create a 'Gamer Tag' - This is what I believed I would be known by within their system and there games.

That was a month ago. Today, I realised that alongside my gamer tag, in my publicly accessible profile, it also read 'Real name' for everyone to see !

Not a huge issue to me personally at my age, but what about youngsters who get groomed and stuff? I mean you hear about privacy all the time these days... I couldn't believe it that they had chosen to take my 'Private Info' and display it alongside my 'Public Info'... I mean, whats the point of having a gamer tag then?

I mean sure, I'll give Microsoft my full details, but I don't expect them to publicly display them for all and sundry ! Whats next? My Banks Name?

Yeah, so I've 'Switched it off' now... But it shouldn't have been on display publicly by default in the first place !!!

If you have kids who have a microsoft Xbox account, go check it! Your child's full real name could be out there like mine was !

[Bosa]

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

So, when I signed up for my XBox pass on the PC I gave Microsoft my full details, so as I could pay etc, then they asked me to create a 'Gamer Tag' - This is what I believed I would be known by within their system and there games.

That was a month ago. Today, I realised that alongside my gamer tag, in my publicly accessible profile, it also read 'Real name' for everyone to see !

Not a huge issue to me personally at my age, but what about youngsters who get groomed and stuff? I mean you hear about privacy all the time these days... I couldn't believe it that they had chosen to take my 'Private Info' and display it alongside my 'Public Info'... I mean, whats the point of having a gamer tag then?

I mean sure, I'll give Microsoft my full details, but I don't expect them to publicly display them for all and sundry ! Whats next? My Banks Name?

Yeah, so I've 'Switched it off' now... But it shouldn't have been on display publicly by default in the first place !!!

If you have kids who have a microsoft Xbox account, go check it! Your child's full real name could be out there like mine was !

Real name change option - Xbox profile

[shake]

Good way to get swatted by poor losers, can't believe they do that by default.

[just a punk]

Never gave them my real name. What for should I do that? When I pay with VISA/MC I always enter my name like S.A.

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by shake

Good way to get swatted by poor losers, can't believe they do that by default.

Yup - It's the default setting ! Had I not checked my automatically created profile (Which I deliberately intended NOT to fill in, leaving it blank) I would never had known...

I cant say that I have ever used any service since I first started going online in the mid 90's, where alongside your 'Chosen User Name' they have added you real name too !

Imagine setting up an account for your child and finding out that their real name was there? Someone contacts your kid, who is 'PrincessElsa2001' and starts saying 'Hey Julie, how are you? Julie Sanders yeah? I sit behind you at school... You said you like this game' etc etc...

Most kids are gonna think, well they must go to my school, be the same age as me and that, cause they know exactly who I am, and how else would they know I'm PrincessElsa2001? The dangers in this are immense !

Like I said, I was legitimately shocked...

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by CyberSEO

Never gave them my real name. What for should I do that? When I pay with VISA/MC I always enter my name like S.A.

In the UK, when using cards, you have to give your name EXACTLY as it appears on the card itself. However, as I said, I have no problem giving Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix etc etc my real name. I just don't expect it to be displayed publicly when they have asked me how I wish to be known to the world within their system as a user.