oDesk introduces Identity Policy
3708 posts - United States - Joined In order to protect the participants in the marketplace and the integrity of the feedback system, oDesk requires that participants adhere to the oDesk identity policy.
-
The identity information on all User Accounts must be real and verifiable.
a. You must use your own name.
b. You must use your own contact information.
c. Your portrait must be a likeness of you. - Each User may use only *ONE* User Account on oDesk.
- Each User Account may be used only by *ONE* User.
- oDesk reserves the right to verify each user's identity at any time.
What do I do if I know that someone is violating the policy? If you know that some user is violating the policy, you are obliged to notify oDesk by filing a ticket.
What do I do if my accounts are in violation of oDesk policy? Please file a ticket and describe your specific circumstances. We understand that the policy has not always been clear and therefore oDesk will work with you to remedy the situation during the transition period, while still protecting the interests of the marketplace and the integrity of the oDesk feedback system.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Please read the full identity policy, then post below.
Vote Result
Score: 10.0, Votes: 5
- Login to post comments
oDesk Learning Center
oDesk Feedback Forums
blogstudios 448 posts - United States - Joined May 20 2008
Hooray for structured information!
c. Your portrait must be a likeness of you. For example,
So much for all the prior recommendations to use avatars or the like. But that's okay because I'd rather look at a face than a logo or cartoon, anyway.
- Danalyn
---
How To Get Help | Better Profiles | Cover Letter Anatomy
How To Get Help | Better Profiles | Cover Letter Anatomy
doreenmartel
I must be dense :) I thought these things were already required (except the photo part).
Doreen
blogstudios 448 posts - United States - Joined May 20 2008
They were already in place (except photos)...but there wasn't a set page for all information in one place...it was scattered about through different buyer/provider policy help pages and the marketplace agreement.
- Danalyn
---
How To Get Help | Better Profiles | Cover Letter Anatomy
How To Get Help | Better Profiles | Cover Letter Anatomy
pilar 14 posts
pilar 14 posts
Is there a method to look up oDesk providers by their name that I am unaware of?
I guess I'll have to do the alphabetical search.
Update: I've done the search, and I'm glad to report that there is no user of that name (because if there was I think I would be violating forum rules by pointing someone out unfairly). I would have edited my old post, but I can't (since I quoted myself). My intention was not to start pointing people out (since that is what submitting a ticket is for), but rather ask a question on searching for user names.
Just to conclude, I am glad that this topic was covered and now I know that I can submit a ticket when I come across possible violations of the oDesk Identity Policy. Thank you.
dboudreau 12 posts - United States - Joined Feb 02 2009
First, I do not have a recent photo, my last photo is on my driver's license, and was taken 10 years ago when I moved to this state. Second, when someone sees my photo, they will know that I am an old woman with facial deformities and the same discrimination that takes place in the "real" world will now become part of the virtual world. In other words, skills and abilities won't matter - only how young and attractive you are, or what ethnicity, etc.
If oDesk needs to verify that you are who you say you are, it should be part of a record that only oDesk sees, a copy of driver's license or government id for example. Not to mention, how, exactly, is anyone going to know that the photo is in fact of the person in the profile? What means will be used to verify the photo is real? Again, back to government issued ID only oDesk sees.
pilar 14 posts
The oDesk Identity Policy doesn't explicitly say that you have to have a picture; it states that the one you use shouldn't be a company logo or in the likeness of someone else. Under these guidelines, your profile is in compliance (so don't worry!).
I basically take the policy as a warning to deter users from providing false media or information. I agree with you that a photo may not be real, but that's why oDesk reserves the right to verify someone's identity (most likely by requesting a government issued photo ID). Plus, in certain circumstances, they can use a live webcam to compare the likeness to your photograph. I am sure that's one way an oDesk Identity Policy violator will get reported (if buyers are diligent enough in reviewing the Work Diary of their providers!). Not everyone has webcams though...
I think that the policy is going to be the most effective for ensuring that people don't use a company logo or a fake name (such as "The Best Designer"). That's easy to report and I think it will be beneficial to providers (since violators of the policy might be getting an unfair advantage by having a username that specifies their specialty or a logo that makes them look professional).
dboudreau 12 posts - United States - Joined Feb 02 2009
your right! I don't want to be scaring folks for no apparent reason!
I have no problems with any of the identity policies, or any policies for that matter, just please, don't make public photos mandatory!
jpittenger
No worries Deborah - a picture is most certainly not mandatory. We encourage photos (and webcam snapshots while logging time) to put a human face on remote work, but we do not require either of them.
There are many reasons a provider might be unwilling
---
Jacqui Pittenger :: Forum Moderator :: Visit the Help Center :: Submit a Help Ticket :: Read our blog
Jacqui - Forum Moderator | Help Center | oDesk blog | Contact Support | Vote on Ideas