Google+ Accounts Now Used for Play Store Reviews

[Stuntman]

Google+ accounts are now being used for app reviews in the Play Store | MobileSyrup.com

I am personally disappointed in this move by Google. I do not wish to have my app comments linked to my Google+ account. For that reason, I am not going to do any app reviews on the Play Store. I will still comment about the apps that I use in other forums such as this that allow the use of pseudonyms.

 

[9to5cynic]

Good find. I'm also not thrilled with that move by Google. I'm sure it's great for some people, but not for me. I don't even like to post reviews as it is already, but this is a pretty big deterrence.

Having a review associated with a real-world identity will surely change the types of comments, but in what ways, I can only speculate.

I wonder if this will be a permanent change or something they'll reconsider at a later date.

 

[Stuntman]

I can't see this being something that they will reverse. There will have to be a huge backlash from a majority of Android and Google+ users.

Some of the reasons just doesn't make sense to me. If developers want to contact app users, they can simply request that users email them. I have done so a number of times and have found that developers do respond to my emails about issues that I have. Developers do not need access to my G+ profile in order to respond to my queries and comments about the app.

Facebook has been criticised much about their privacy policies. It seems that Google is starting to go down that path with their policies about Google+. I do put some info on my profile. If this continues, I may just delete any info on my Google+ profile which would make Google+ less useful for everyone.

I would hope that more members on these forums would think about this. I put this thread here as I think it is the appropriate place. I just don't think it will get that much traffic here compared to the more general forums.

 

[Stuntman]

I just checked the settings in Google Play. There is now a setting that allows developers to email you directly if they want to reply to your comment. You know what? It is automatically checked.

 

[Hadron]

It won't let me post from the website without signing in to G+, but I can still review from my phone - just that my reviews are now anonymous.

I guess if you have a G+ account your phone might link reviews to it automatically, but as I don't have one I can't test that theory.

If they enforce it from the phone then no more reviews from me...

 

[breadnatty08]

Shoot me but I haven't reviewed an app thus far, and now I have more incentive not to in the future.

 

[zuben el genub]

I have some apps that request reviews if I think they are decent. Think I will email rating directly to the dev, and explain why I won't put the review on Play.

 

[KENNECTED]

Why is this an issue. If you like or dislike something why not stand behind what you've written?

 

[zuben el genub]

It's an issue as we have nothing to say or do on + and Google needs to realize that some of us abhor social networks.

I got on FB to deal with Truphone's customer service. I joined Twitter since I couldn't get the Yankee's scores live during an ALC game. I keep getting emails from both as to why I'm not using the service. Since they are under different aliases, I haven't bothered deleting. I don't need another pest.

 

[Gmash]

I've never felt the need to review an app, but what if you don't have a Google + account? I don't have any social network accounts.

 

[saptech]

I feel the same as the last two post. I remember when I got my first android and I did have a G+ account, but once I put pictures on the phone, they started uploading to G+. Well I did not want them going there. I was able to disable that auto feature.

 

[KENNECTED]

It's an issue as we have nothing to say or do on + and Google needs to realize that some of us abhor social networks.

I got on FB to deal with Truphone's customer service. I joined Twitter since I couldn't get the Yankee's scores live during an ALC game. I keep getting emails from both as to why I'm not using the service. Since they are under different aliases, I haven't bothered deleting. I don't need another pest.

I've never felt the need to review an app, but what if you don't have a Google + account? I don't have any social network accounts.

I feel the same as the last two post. I remember when I got my first android and I did have a G+ account, but once I put pictures on the phone, they started uploading to G+. Well I did not want them going there. I was able to disable that auto feature.

So for you three, it's not the issue of stating how you feel, it's that you do not want to be part of a social network?

 

[zuben el genub]

In my case, you got it.

My mantra since 5th grade has been "None of your business"

At least in forums, most stick to the subject or a mod takes care of it.
Do you remember when Usenet was a discussion group? Some used to be fairly interesting in astronomy until the "Planet X" spammers got in the act.

Somewhere along the line someone will want personal info that you aren't interested in and don't want to give. Especially if it's not relevant to the discussion. Unfriend them, ban them, and there can be hell to pay.

BTW - almost every forum I belong to is under a different name.

 

[RazorSharp]

It's more the principle of the thing than accountability for me. This is more privacy creep by Google. Not a move in the right direction, especially since in recent years they've been vehemently against any legislation that involves Internet regulation in the United States. Seems hypocritical of them to want to keep the Internet free and anonymous... except on their own sites.

 

[zuben el genub]

I use Iron as a browser on the computer. Even that has the bad habit of commenting-
Boo - you have no extensions, you have no profile.

I've seen comments like that on Google's dashboard.

You want a profile? I'm a sky-blue pink alien from Alpha Orionis. We are genderless.

 

[zuben el genub]

Comscore Ranks Web, Mobile and App Traffic - Peter Kafka - Media - AllThingsD

Of course Google wants to win.

 

[Stuntman]

It's more the principle of the thing than accountability for me. This is more privacy creep by Google. Not a move in the right direction, especially since in recent years they've been vehemently against any legislation that involves Internet regulation in the United States. Seems hypocritical of them to want to keep the Internet free and anonymous... except on their own sites.

Also, I think it should be a choice for me whether or not I want to provide my profile to people who would view my comments. I use G+ for various reasons and I do not want to use G+ for other reasons. The same for Facebook. There are times where I do not feel it is necessary or desirable to associate personal information on these social networks to certain online activities. I do not like being force to do so. If I want to and there is an option, I'll take it. Otherwise, I want the option to opt out at least.

 

[zuben el genub]

Think they are being careful. Remember Google Buzz?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Buzz

 

[zuben el genub]

Just info on who does what.

New data on privacy policies shows 20 percent of sites may sell data | Ars Technica

 

[Rcarnes91]

Me personally I could care less, it is my review why would I not stand behind it.

 

[dan55]

hi guys,

im currently battling with google over my g+ name as it wont let me use my google account name in g+ :/ go figure

i always try to post reviews and comments for good apps on play to support the devs, but i dont want to get involved in g+ as not interested in using

cheers
dan

....this is why i dont use fbook

 

[Rcarnes91]

You don't have to use it you don't even have to put any information on there, people leave better reviews when there names are attached

 

[dan55]

ok thanks - its still overkill imo on googles part - im not going to leave any different reviews just coz my name is on it ...... actually that isnt true, as i wont be leaving any reviews if they force that

 

[Stuntman]

You don't have to use it you don't even have to put any information on there, people leave better reviews when there names are attached

Apparently, that does not apply to me.

 

[zuben el genub]

Google+ introduces Communities despite persistent 'ghost town' reputation

I've got the 'fastest growing THINGY ever', boasts Google+ chief ? The Register

I'd like to see the true numbers.

One reply to a post stated that + was in the position to be the "next big thing" - but no one knows what the next big thing is or will be.

I stand by any review I've left - regardless of name.