An update to The Times and The Sunday Times commenting policy

From December 13 The Times and The Sunday Times will require subscribers to use their real names when participating as part of the commenting community.
If you currently comment under a pseudonym, you will need to change your screen name to your real name, under My Account. You must use your surname in full. Your first name should either be your full first name, or a commonly recognised variation or the initial of your first name.

Why are these changes being made?
The Times view is that you should know who you are speaking to, rather than debating with a pseudonym. We don’t want animosity protected by anonymity. We believe this is the best way to ensure high-quality participation.

Why now? 
The decision to make this change was made some time ago. We have been working through the policy and the technology for a little while. It is not in response to anything specific but we believe it will create a better environment for our readers to comment. 

How will these changes happen?
You will have received a notification via email detailing that we now ask all readers to use their real names, or an abbreviation of your real name, before posting a comment on our digital pages. If you currently use a pseudonym to comment, this can be changed to your real name.

What is your definition of a real name?
A real name means your first name and last name e.g. John Smith. You must use your surname in full. Your first name should either be your full first name, or a commonly recognised variation (i.e. “Liz” for “Elizabeth” or “Will” for “William”) or the initial of your first name. You may include your middle name, if preferred, either written in full or as an initial, though a middle name is not a substitute for first or last names. 

How can I change the screen name on my account?
From the smartphone or tablet app
Open the app and tap “More” at the bottom right of your screen. Select “My account”. 

From thetimes.co.uk
From the homepage or any article page click on “My account” at the top right of your screen. In the drop-down menu select “Manage account”.

All users
On the “My account” page scroll down until you reach “Your details”. 

Under “Your details” find the line marked “Screen name”.

To the right of your screen name, click the (EDIT) button. 

A text box will appear. To change your screen name type your real name into the text box. 

IMPORTANT: Next, scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Save”. 
After you have clicked “Save” scroll back up to where you typed in your new screen name and check that it has updated.

What happens if I don’t switch to my real name?
You will be contacted directly by our community team if you do not change your screen name to your real name - and given a window in which to do so. You must use your surname in full. Your first name should either be your full first name, or a commonly recognised variation or the initial of your first name.

If after that time has passed you have not switched to using your real name, your ability to comment could be suspended until it is changed.

Who does this policy change affect?
This policy will affect all subscribers who comment on the site or on our apps.

Will my previous/old comments now have my real name attached to them?
Your historical comments will be locked under the screen name that you held on or before 10.30am December 12.

What if I want to keep continuity in my screen name?
If you want to keep the continuity of your screen name across your comments published before and after December 13, then we advise that you update your current screen name by Sunday December 11 to comply with our ‘real name’ definition.

Does this affect my data protection rights? 
No, your rights remain unchanged. Historical comments made before December 12, at 10.30am will be locked under the screen name held at this time. From December 13 The Times and Sunday Times requires subscribers who comment on articles to use a real name as their screen name. For more information please see our privacy policy and terms and conditions.

I have a popular name and am worried that I may lose my commenting identity or have comments misattributed to me when I use my real name to post comments
We cannot guarantee that your screen name will be unique, however you may use commonly recognised abbreviations or initials of your first name to set yourself apart. You may also choose to include your middle name, if preferred, either written in full or as an initial. Middle names are not a substitute for first or last names. In addition to these options, you can add a sign-off in the body of your comments to help other commenters identify you.

Will my real name display in email notifications when I recommend a comment? 
If you recommend or reply to another subscriber's comment then your screen name may be tagged in a notification email sent to that subscriber. Notifications may pull in one or two screen names and include a summary of how many recommendations or replies a comment has received. Screen names tagged in notifications are randomly pulled and not selective.  

Why doesn’t The Times block accounts instead?
It is already stated in the digital commenting policy that The Times and The Sunday Times does not tolerate personal attacks, harassment or inappropriate behaviour. Those who violate the community guidelines will have the right to comment withdrawn, either temporarily or permanently.

Why don’t you moderate comments instead?
Times and The Sunday Times do have a moderation team. If you see comments that  violate our community guidelines, please flag them by clicking the flag icon at the top right of the comment and it will go into our moderation queue. We also employ technology to help us identify potential breaches of our terms.

I work in the medical profession, social care or similar and would like to keep my commenting behaviour separate from my work life – can I do this?
These changes will impact all readers and we cannot make special allowances. All readers must use their surname, however we permit commonly recognised abbreviations of first names or initials of first names. We believe this is the best way to ensure high-quality participation. 

A real name means your first name and last name e.g. John Smith. You must use your surname in full. Your first name should either be your full first name, or a commonly recognised variation (i.e. “Liz” for “Elizabeth” or “Will” for “William”) or the initial of your first name. You may include your middle name, if preferred, either written in full or as an initial, though a middle name is not a substitute for first or last names. 

I share my subscription within my household, how can I comment using my real name if it is not the name registered on the account?
The technology that The Times will use to monitor compliance with its real-name commenting policy requires screen names to align with the registered account name. If you share your subscription with a member of your household and would like to be able to comment under your own name you may include a sign-off within the body of your comment.

I’ve updated my name in line with your new policy but you keep messaging me to say I’m still using a pseudonym. What can I do? 
If you’ve updated your screen name to be compliant with the definition listed within our participation guidelines and are still being messaged about your screen name please contact [email protected] and include the subject line ‘Screen name feedback’. 

I’ve updated my screen name but can see that other subscribers are still using pseudonyms or initials, why is this?
From December 13 subscribers that participate with commenting will be required to use real names for screen names. Subscribers posting outside of this policy will be asked to update their names by The Times and Sunday Times moderation team. If you continue to use a pseudonym you risk losing the ability to comment altogether.