Google+/policy/naming

About
Google+ has a somewhat strict (though not very well defined) regarding what names they allow users to use within the service. The Google+ help pages state, among other things, that your username should be "the name your friends, family or co-workers usually call you", which they refer to as your common name. As an example, they suggest that someone named "Charles Jones, Jr." could use "Chuck Jones" or "Junior Jones" as acceptable alternatives.

Unfortunately, there have been several problems with this policy, including:
 * The policy does not make it clear whether a "common name" can be a pseudonym having nothing to do with your legal name
 * Enforcers of the policy were erratic in who they chose to suspend, often suspending people who were in fact using their legal names (or variants thereof)
 * There are many individuals whose lives or welfare would be endangered if they were to post under their legal name.

Pages

 * /dispute: arguments for and against

Reference

 * Google+ Pseudonymity Debate Coverage : Articles (online spreadsheet)
 * #nymwars on twitter
 * 2011-08-04 Google+ names policy, explained