>>Does this requirement violate any laws? Seems that protecting privacy and following laws in specific countries, particularly EU countries, should be priority.
>
>The creation of an account is subject to a user's decision. No one is obligated to create an account on a site. However, major social sites, such as Facebok, are having the profile picture at the account creation level. I wouldn't see how a social site could grow without an image linked to an account. Among our new features, the turn around of the site into a more ready to go social networking site is on the lineup.

A requirement to have/give a picture of ones face would make me think hard on complying or leaving the site. Forcing real names was borderline for my taste - knowing that some regulars having reason to can skirt it a bit makes it better, even if my data is correct, but having a veryfied email is my favorite ID for online.
If I came along for the first time and it were a requirement for new accounts, I would shrug and not even test the site, unless forced/given strong reason.

had paranoid ideas before Snowden, as I knew some of the things possible, but I try harder now to minimize online info about me.

my 0.00002€

thomas