Web users who go by bogus names will be booted off the new Google+ social network.
The company has recently launched the network as a rival to Facebook.
But If Google learns the name you're using on the network is not your real name, you have just four days to clean up your act. If you don't your profile will be removed.
Saurabh Sharma, product manager on the Google+ team, announced the new rule in a video shared on YouTube and on Google+.
The company said it tried to make connecting with people on the web more like connecting with people in the real world, so those signing up for the service are required to use the name they commonly go by in the real world.
The new regulations were billed as an 'update to how we handle potential violations of our common name policy.'
In the past, when the company suspended the profile of those it judged were not using their real identity, and then let the user appeal.
But from now on there will be no appeals permitted, msn news reported.
Sharma said: 'If we find that your profile name does not adhere to our policy, we’ll give you a 4-day grace period to fix your profile name before we take further action.'
'Taking action means your account is closed although you will be allowed to 'take all your content with you, even after your profile is suspended. Visit Google Takeout for more details.'
The news immediately angered users.
'Gwyddonaid' on YouTube said: 'I will be removing Google+ from my online activities. There are many reasons for the use of pseudonyms, including personal safety. For years, we have instructed children and others to not use their 'real names' online for privacy and safety concerns. Now Google, in its INFINITE UNwisdom decrees that only 'real names' will be used," said 'Goodbye, Google. So much for 'do no evil.'
Emilio Osorio wrote: 'What about the necessity of those involved in risky political environments and the use of Google+ as a reach out medium? How's google+ going to handle those real needs of the rest of us that are living in unsecure places (like Mexico)? Or google+ just needs to be considered as a "linkedin/facebook" thing with only rosy politically correct content?'
And said another: 'No. I'll gladly give you my real name, you can keep it, give it to advertisers, I really don't care, that's OK with me, its part of the service and I understand that, but, I will not have my display name as my 'real' legal name, I just simply don't use that name with people, I don't use it on the web, its not me, I don't like it, I won't do it.'
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