Google+ allows members to 'hide' gender
Showing its gender-sensitive side, Google will allow members of its upcoming social network Google+ to hide their gender.

Google+ profiles product manager Frances Haugen called the feature a "privacy enhancement," which she said stemmed from "user feedback."

"Starting later this week, you will be able to set the privacy setting of your gender on your Google+ Profile just as you control other information about yourself. :-)" she said in a post.

An article on tech site CNET said the option to conceal gender may be convenient for companies and entities.

However, the CNET article quoted Google product manager Christian Oestlian as initially saying Google is presently not supporting "brands, organizations, and nonhuman entities," at least during its private beta testing.

It also quoted Google product management vice president overseeing Google+ Bradley Horowitz as saying they are "actively discouraging businesses to adopt consumer profiles," at least for now. — RSJ, GMA News