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Gawker Media To Require Commenters' Facebook, Twitter, Or Google Logins

Posted by timothy on from the guys-guys-guys dept.

First time accepted submitter wynterwynd writes "In a move that seems to be in line with Gawker Media founder Nick Denton's opinion of his sites' commenters, some Gawker Media sites are now instructing their commenters that they will have to link their Gawker commenter ID with their Facebook, Twitter, or Google accounts in order to log in. Is this really a good idea, considering the security issues Gawker has had in the past? Per the article, for 'security purposes' Gawker is 'putting our account security layer in the hands of some of the best in the business — major sites with more security expertise and resources than anyone else on the web.' To my mind, it's hard to see this as anything but a grab to milk Gawker commenters' social networking accounts for targeted ad revenue — which really shouldn't be a surpirse considering Denton's contempt for most of the Gawker community. Is this a step too far for an online community? Is it a cash grab or a genuine effort to encourage secure and responsible posting?"

6 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. Okay... by mholve · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Add Gawker to the same list the New York Times is on. That is, "pass."

    1. Re:Okay... by TheRaven64 · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's difficult to boycott Gawker. It's like boycotting punching yourself in the face. Sure, you can tell everyone loudly you're not going to do it, but on the other hand no one is likely to believe that it's a matter of principle.

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    2. Re:Okay... by siddesu · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I would add this "Gawker" you speak about to my boycott list, but what is it? Is it one of those "websites" that you open with no-script and see a blank page? If so, they've been "boycotting" me for a few years now.

  2. I refuse to share my Real Name by cpu6502 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I refuse to link facebook or twitter or any other account that has my real name. If I can't login under an Email handle/alias then I simply don't post on that website.

    Sorry gawker. You lost my business/ad views.

    --
    My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
  3. Don't worry by GameboyRMH · · Score: 5, Funny

    Didn't you read TFS?

    Gawker is "putting our account security layer in the hands of some of the best in the business — major sites with more security expertise and resources than anyone else on the web."

    You can rest easy, HBGary is on the case!

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  4. Re:Any site doing this needs their head examined.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The upshot: You want this. You didn't know how it works, so you rightly mistrusted it. But Its better.

    No, I don't want this.

    It's none of Google's business what I do on Nick Denton's sites. And it's none of Nick Denton's business what my G+/Y!/FB profile was.

    If I had any use for Gawker Media, all it means is that I'd have to set up yet another browser profile and associate that with whatever disposable email address I'd originally created for use with his sites.

    Anyone who gives a damn about security or privacy issues knows the value of compartmentalization, and ought to be rightfully resentful of any attempt to bridge unrelated accounts.