is "Verified" the new "Premium"?

From the blog:

https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/community/blog/2009/04/21/update--upcoming-changes-for-adult-content

quote:

"and access to Adult regions and search results will be limited to Residents with verified accounts."

Now don't get me wrong. I think Cyn is first class, I've known her since she repaired the hub landing point in my first region, and I'm not calling her out in any way.

The businessperson in me kinda jumped when I saw that phrase, though. I'm sure it's overall policy.

Please allow me to explain.

* * * * *

In business, knowing your customers is huge. A customer list is possibly *the* most valuable asset your corporation has ~ not its tech, not its IP... none of that. It's the customers.

Sure, there are other issues such as protection of minors and all that. But come on, even naughty sites have a "yes I am over 18" pastie over their naughty bits ~ one click and it falls away, exposing you to full frontal marketing ever after. The signup here already has that.

* * * * *

So verification, in a way, is the new Premium Membership ~ verify, and suddenly you can access an entire new expanded range of content (old to us, maybe, but not the coming new residents).

Of course, verification is *not* telling Linden Research, Inc. who you are. But once verified, it's less of a big step to having payment info on file. You've already entered critical data about yourself ~ the psychological barrier to entering personal data 'for real this time' has gone way down after that.

* * * * *

Sure, there will be a huge initial hit for those that protest. But I think they are right... most people will feel uncomfortable, but then quietly verify and join their friends on the adult side of things. Nobody's going to hassle you. All the information privacy purists... won't be there, simply because they won't verify.

And few will quit over it either. I verified myself in the beta program well over a year ago. It took maybe 20 seconds; just two or three slots to fill in with your name and driver's licence or something. Very easy to do on a whim. In seconds it was over, and once done, it's irreversible. You are verified. Might as well wish to be a virgin again, for all the good it will do ~ it's done and over.

* * * * *

Back to the point.

Essentially I see the adult policy as a gentle push to get information ~ ostensibly as protection against trouble, sure. But once that barrier is crossed, getting real customer data is waaaay easier. Everyone by that point has lost their virgin anonymity, what's a little more? I can see how that is a smart move, for reasons far beyond the adult policy.

Something to think about. I'm not going to pass any kind of judgement about it; but I see tons of implications for the grid of the future.

Didn't prior communications say that payment information and/or use was verification enough? (O.o)

I agree, it is a data mining jackpot. Which is why I will not participate in it. I will not be solicited to or marketed based upon my Sl activity. They have my payment info and whatever else I provided when I signed up. That's all they are geting.

The blog links out to a FAQ page that says a "verified payment method" will do. We will have to quit slipping cash under the doorstep at midnight.

I can see it now, you getting 300 emails a day for various brands of duct tape.

One more thought on this...if and when the Xstreetsl and SL Account merger occurs, how could anyone procure L$'s without entering credit card information into the LL database? You could use Paypal, but I don't use it much personally and do not know what the vendor sees in a Paypal transaction. From an ease of use perspective, I'd see most people putting a credit card on file. This could create a really cool black market for L$! Oops, did I say that?

For the record, I have a CC on file and also age verified via my USA drivers license using the Beta program...Not a problem for me since due to my RL work Homeland Security has a full background check, my fingerprints and (IIRC) a retina scan on file, plus I'm permanently in the National Drivers License Registry but I _could_ see people not wanting to give out this information for the privilege of participating in SL. Would Paypal be the only anonymous payment option?

Jackie

I use 3M exclusively. I'm brand loyal if nothing else.

It still seems ok, I went to live help and had add me and another onto the premium alt's credit card account details. (which I have mainly used only for banking, it is a debt card too which is why I needed them to do it manually)

I verified a long time ago. And I still can't get into age verified places (which I found out the other day).

Yes. Blondin said just a little while ago that PIOF.PIU, XStreet or SLX activity will be enough and will not require Aristotle.

They don't mean "age-verified".

They mean "adult verified".

Which means "age verified or payment info".

I verified during beta too but just realized that I've never checked to see if it's working. At least I've never been challenged about it but was that because it was working or because I haven't gone anywhere that checks? There's a test setup here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Concinna/150/37/32 I just tried it with 3 different alts, one PIOF & verified, one PIOF & not verified and one NPIOF & not verified and they all were allowed or excluded as expected.

I think I've run into precisely one location that actually checked since it was rolled out, so I suspect the latter.

I can sail through the verification gate on I-World Island and it never worked before. Did they really fix it in 1.26?

Technically of course, the verification procedure gives no data to LL at all. Certainly not any more than they already have. And I am sure we all believe the technical assurances, do we not?

Obviously LL does. Personally, I don't hold their 3rd party provider in as high a regard.

LL see none of the data.
For many of us, Integrity would get data that they have no other way of getting - and which they therefore can not possibly verify against.


Addressing Desmond's point -
LL don't get the data from this verification, but the losing of our virginity to Integrity might lead us to become promiscuous with LL down the line.
However, I have already had a sex with LL. They have had my RRL data from the time I signed up.

Not quite; PIOF is not enough, the credit card info must be used:

Then he may want to be careful with what he said today when asked:





/352/11/314444/159.html#post2399254

People may take PIOF to mean just that. A small point but it could lead to some unnecessary confusion.

who the hell is Blondin?

The new Daniel?

Well I have PIOF but it is a pre-pay Visa. I also age-verified using the last 4 digits of my Social Security number and so far all seems fine.

Same here!!!

What if someone who's been here since 2003 and isnt "verified"?? Would that mean they're a minor 6 years after???

will be even funnier in 2021 (if SL is still around that is)

Blondin's profile just says he is in "mainland support", which makes sense given that Cyn posted the new guidelines. Perhaps he has accepted the unenviable position of CSO (Chief Scapegoat Officer).
*blinks at the two Blondin quotes*

Well, yah, I'm confused! Maybe Blondin has confused himself, too!

So let me see if I understand all this:

1. As a Premium member (yes one of those insane few who pay $72 annually), I have PIOF and have obviously used my credit card (and have been since 2006)

2. I have not submitted my DNA, Retinal Scans, Voice Scans, and Fingerprints to Aristotle

3. Therefore, effective sometime in June, I will be allowed on the new "adult" continent when all this goes live


Is that the situation as it now stands?