Stephen Downes

Facebook has in the past advocated the idea of requiring a single validated identity for all users, so it's no surprise to read Sam Lessin, a former Facebook VP, recommending that "government should mandate that all social networks  of any size adopt a national version of the coveted blue 'validated'  check mark confirming an authentic identity." There are problems with this idea, as Anil Dash makes clear in this response. And sure, such a system could be abused. But more importantly, it makes my identity depend on their approval. For example, as Rick Klau says, it "makes a citizen's speech dependent on the government's continued support of that identity."